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Harold Johnson, of West Hartford, CT, shares a photo from Jordan Pond in Oct 2021. "The NPS does a great job of making as many paths accessible as possible. On this day we were able to wheel all the way down to the water where we enjoyed a picnic lunch."
Photo courtesy of visitor Harold Johnson. Used with permission.
About a Million People with Disabilities Visit Acadia Each Year
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four adults in the United States lives with some form of disability. That means there may be about a million people coming to Acadia each year who need some form of accommodation related to mobility, cognition, hearing, or vision impairments. Reducing and removing barriers for physical access to buildings and spaces is a big part of accessibility. But it's also about addressing a person's functional capacity to participate in the experiences that Acadia offers.
The National Park Service is legislatively mandated to provide accessible facilities and programs for their visitors with disabilities. Thanks in large part to a comprehensive accessibility assessment funded by Friends of Acadia and conducted in 2021 by the National Center on Accessibility and the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, Acadia National Park is committed to making its landscapes, programs, and information accessible to people of all abilities.
If you have an accomodation request for any scheduled event or activity, please email us at least two weeks in advance.
Echo Lake Beach
NPS Photo
Access Pass
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are permanently disabled may be eligible for the Interagency Access Pass. This free, lifetime admission pass is valid at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
Must be obtained with valid identification
Does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners
Download the free NPS app
The official NPS app offers current accessibility details for facilities and select trails. Download the free app before your visit to enhance your experience using your device’s built-in accessibility features.
For an accessible entrance behind the visitor center, there are four designated accessible parking spaces, one with a striped aisle beside it for a van.
In a large, main parking lot below the visitor center, there are four angled parking spaces designated for accessible parking to the immediate left of a covered information pavilion. One of these spaces has a striped aisle beside it for a van. These spaces are intended for people who want to make use of Island Explorer bus stops in the parking lot. They are not well-suited for people with mobility impairments to reach the visitor center because climbing a series of 52 steps is required.
Routes:
A parking lot behind the visitor center connects to the building by two asphalt-paved routes – one with short steps and another curved path that slopes to rejoin the first at a short wooden bridge. This entrance has an automatic door.
The main entrance to the visitor center requires visitors to pass through a covered information pavilion at the edge of the parking lot and to climb a series of tiered concrete sidewalk pathways with a total of 52 steps. This entrance to the building also has an automatic door.
Ramps/lifts/elevators:
Just inside the rear entrance there is a small lobby area with an elevator that opens one flight up into a hallway alcove for large open space lobby on the main floor. This route leads first to the left side of a customer service desk and queuing area for Fees and Passes.
Restrooms:
There are two accessible, single-stall unisex restrooms located off a small lobby just inside the downstairs rear entrance to the visitor center.
On the main level upstairs, next a bank of front entry doors, a hallway leads first to a large, single-stall accessible family restoom on the left.
Just beyond, at the end of this short hallway, are entrances to separate women's and men's restrooms.
Water:
There is one drinking fountain and bottle filling station at wheelchair height located upstairs along a hallway from the main visitor center lobby to the restrooms.
There are no public water sources available outside the visitor center.
Benches/Seating:
There is no outdoor seating available at the rear entrance to the visitor center. Just inside the rear entrance, in a small lobby leading to two restrooms and an elevator, there are two upholstered chairs available.
A few park benches are located along the route of a tiered concete sidewalk with 52 steps leading up to the main visitor center entrance. Several more benches line a stonewall courtyard outside the main entry doors. Just inside, in an alcove between first and second entry doors, there is a single long bench without a back along one wall. In the main lobby, there are two short benches without backs between the main lobby area and a gallery space for artworks and several large trip-planning maps. Several more benches without backs are located along a long glass wall of floor-to-ceiling windows next to large queuing areas for an information desk and a customer service desk for Fees & Passes.
Displays/Exhibits:
There are three giant TV screens on walls around the main lobby that display visitor information in 15-second time increments: park alerts, such as road and trail closures; ranger program schedules; sunrise and sunset; low and high tides; and a local weather forecast. This digital content is available and accessible via screen reader technology.
On a short wall beside floor-to-ceiling windows along a queuing area for Fees & Passes there is a single acrylic case that features rotating seasonal displays of handcrafted Wabanaki baskets and indigenous artifacts courtesy of the Abbe Museum in downtown Bar Harbor.
In three other locations along walls in the main lobby, including an adjoining gallery space, are rotating seasonal displays of artworks from Acadia's artist-in-residence program. Many of the pieces on display have accompanying audio description recordings in the program's online catalog.
Binders with braille and foreign language translations of “Essential Acadia” messages and a braille translation of the park souvenir park brochure are available at the information desk. Audio description transcripts and recordings for the souvenir park brochure are also available on the park website.
There are two designated van-accessible spaces next to striped aisles in the Sieur de Monts parking lot.
One is on the left side near the restrooms.
A second is on the right side near the path to the Nature Center and Wild Gardens of Acadia
Routes:
There is a concrete path connecting the parking lot to a separate building for public restrooms.
An asphalt path leads from the parking lot through a stand of trees before reaching a stone paver courtyard that surrounds three sides of the Nature Center.
Beyond, wooden bridges on either side of the Nature Center connect to trails of varying surface material, including asphalt, compacted gravel, and wood boardwalks.
Ramps/lifts/elevators:
Not applicable
Restrooms:
A separate building across the parking lot from the Nature Center houses men's and women's restrooms. Each side has small stalls and one larger stall intended for visitors using wheelchairs.
Water:
There is one outdoor drinking fountainalong the asphalt path from the parking lot to the Nature Center courtyard.
Benches/Seating:
There is no indoor public seating available inside the Nature Center.
Outside, a long, low stone wall surrounding the courtyard offers visitors a sturdy spot to rest.
Displays/Exhibits:
There is a TV screen suspended from the ceiling in the center of the room that displays visitor information in 15-second time increments: park alerts, such as road and trail closures; ranger program schedules; sunrise and sunset; low and high tides; and a local weather forecast. This digital content is available and accessible via screen reader technology.
Seven accessible parking spots designated by pavement paint and signs on posts are located in the main parking lot at the end nearest the building. Four of these spaces are van accessible with a striped aisle painted on the pavement next to them.
Routes:
From the accessible parking area, visitors will travel a distance of about 150 paces through a painted crosswalk and across large courtyard to reach the main entrance. Automated entry doors are available.
Ramps/lifts/elevators:
Not applicable.
Restrooms:
Restrooms are located on the right in a large entry alcove before the second set of doors.
Sinks are wheelchair accessible and pipes are covered underneath.
In the men's restroom, there are five standard sized stalls and two accessible stalls.
In the women's restroom, there are 13 standard sized stalls and two accessible stalls.
In a nursing station, a sink and seating are provided.
In a designated family or companion restroom, there is one accessible toilet, a changing table, and an accessible sink.
Each restroom has hand driers and paper towel dispensers.
Water:
There is a drinking fountain and bottle filling station at wheelchair height located in the entry alcove next to the entrance hallway to the restrooms.
Outside, there is a drinking fountain and water bottle filling station at wheelchair height located between an automated fee machine and trash recepticles near the main entrance.
Benches/Seating:
There are about 50 chairs with backs and arm rests, including several that are designated for wheelchair access, in a waiting area for the Island Explorer bus system.
Outside, there are two benches without backs under a covered pavilion at the main bus stop. There also is a stone bench located to the left of the outdoor drinking fountain near the main entraince.
Displays/Exhibits:
The two main information desks are between 39-42.5 inches tall, and have an accessible section at 34 inches tall.
Outside there are three tri-sided displays that share information about Downeast Maine and Acadia National Park.
There are two spaces for accessible parking designated by markings painted onto the pavement directly in front of the main entrance. While additional striped aisle space isn't painted on the pavement next to them, they could be used by van accessible vehicles depending on the orientation of the vehicles.
Routes:
There are long asphalt paths for wheelchair access available on either side of steps leading to the main entrance. An automated entry door is available. Just inside, a wheelchair is available for visitors to borrow for use inside the building.
Ramps/lifts/elevators:
Not applicable
Restrooms:
Two single occupant restrooms in the museum.
Paper towels
Benches/Seating:
Upholstered easy chairs are available for visitors in the main lobby and information desk area.
There are benches with cushions in exhibit rooms.
In a courtyard behind the building, there are multiple sets of patio tables and chairs available for visitor use.
Park Campground Most Suitable for People with Disabilities
Schoodic Woods Campground is located 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. It is the only campground on the mainland section of the park.
All campsite reservations must be made in advance at Recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made through the campground office or in-person.
Except for group sites and hike-in sites, all sites in the campground have electric. B-Loop sites have electric and water. All sites have fire rings and ADA picnic tables. A dump station is available.
All campground roads are paved.
All campsites in the A and B Loops are generally flat, with a ground surface of packed gravel and may be able to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges.
There are two group sites that share a restroom and a parking lot with no designated accessible parking spaces. Group site pathways are not paved.
Restrooms:
There are six buildings for restrooms across the campground. All restrooms have flush toilets with larger stalls designated for wheelchair users and open areas under sinks with padding to cover plumbing.
All restrooms have paved walkways around the buildings to access dish washing sinks and dumpsters.
There are no showers available in the campground.
Amphitheater:
A gravel parking lot for the amphitheater has four accessible parking spaces marked with signs on posts.
A short walk to the amphitheater is mostly paved. The ground surface at the amphitheater itself is compacted gravel. A sign indicates an accessible entrance to the seating area.
There are four rows of seating facing a large outdoor screen and open space for scheduled ranger programs and education activities. There are stairs on the left and a ramp for wheelchair users on the right.
Acadia National Park has more than 145 miles of maintained trails. Trail surfaces range from level, compacted soil to uneven, broken rocks and roots. Hiking in this park can be a challenging experience due to the rugged nature of the landscape, steep, uneven trails, and sudden weather changes, especially at higher elevations.
In addition to these suggestions, Acadia has 45 miles of historic carriage roads that may be appropriate for people with limited mobility. All visitors are welcome to make use of human-powered mobility devices that do not exceed 20 mph on the carriage roads. Special use permits for Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) may be requested in-person at Dispatch offices at park headquarters, located at 20 McFarland Hill Drive, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Starting at the top of Cadillac Mountain, this 0.3-mile path provides breathtaking 360-degree views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and Downeast Maine. The paved walkway has some steeper grades and flat sections with overlooks and wayside displays along the way.
Note: If you want to drive up the Cadillac Summit Road between late-May and mid-October, you will also need to buy a vehicle reservation. These are only sold online in advance and are not available for purchase in person in the park. Learn more at Recreation.gov
In the parking area, there are five angled accessible spaces designated by blue paint and striping on the ground.
One is located in front of a gift shop and restroom facility.
Four more are located along the right side of the parking loop near the entrance to the trail.
Accessible restrooms are available next to the gift shop.
The Compass Harbor Trail provides an easy walk through the woods to the shore just outside the village of Bar Harbor. It is the former estate of George B. Dorr, who was instrumental in the creation of Acadia National Park and served as its first superintendent. Explore the historic site and enjoy a dramatic shoreline with views of Frenchman Bay and Ironbound Island.
Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
Terrain: Forested path, rocky coastline
The Compass Harbor Trail is mostly accessible. It starts relatively flat and wide with few hazards. Eventually, there is increased slope along with roots and rocks growing prevalent across the trail surface. Near the historic site, there are about 20 large stone steps. Go straight rather than left at the first junction to utilize a fairly level trail to the historic site. Near the shoreline, the trail is rocky and uneven.
The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop consists of two mostly level trails creating a figure-8. Starting at historic Sieur de Monts, this trail provides a walk through a hemlock and birch forest, a section of the Great Meadow wetland and provides breathtaking views of Dorr Mountain. It is used routinely by people with mobility limitations and families with small children.
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Terrain: Compact, flat trail. Wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts, wide, gravel fire road.
Note: A wooden boardwalk section may accommodate most mobility devices, but due to its width (3 feet) it may not be suitable for some wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The boardwalk has multiple pullover sections with wooden benches and wayside exhibits.
There are three angled accessible parking spaces in the Sieur de Monts parking lot. One is on the left by the restrooms building. Two others are located on the right near a path to the Nature Center and the Wild Gardens of Acadia entrance. All accessible parking spots are designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground.
Explore vast slabs of pink granite, picturesque cliffs, and breathtaking oceans views as the Ocean Path takes you along the bold coast of Maine. The Ocean Path is a great way to access Thunder Hole and Otter Point from Sand Beach on a gradual hike.
Distance: 2.2 mile traill one way, 4.4 miles round trip. The trail is 0.7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole.
Terrain/Safety: From Sand Beach to Thunder Hole the trail is a mix of concrete and packed gravel surfaces. The rest of the trail is gravelly and rocky with uneven surfaces. There are two staircases present 1.4 miles into the trail as the path climbs around a rocky cliff section. Steep drops into the ocean. Keep children away from the edge. Good footwear is recommended.
Ocean Path is accessible from the upper parking lot of Sand Beach to Thunder Hole. From Thunder Hole to Otter Point the trail becomes uneven and granite staircases bring the trail past Otter Cliffs.
There are accessible restrooms at the Sand Beach parking area.
Sand Beach has five accessible parking spaces in the lower parking lot. A rugged staircase, or steep walk on the road, can be taken to the upper car park where Ocean Path starts.
Thunder Hole parking area is the most physically accessible entrance to Ocean Path. There are three accessible parking spots which lead to a ramp, a crosswalk, and the short section of Ocean Path that is paved.
Otter Point parking area has one accessible parking spot, but the trail in this section is more hazardous with roots and larger rocks.
Located off Maine 102A down the road from Seawall Campground and Wonderland Trail, Ship Harbor Trail is a figure-8 trail covering 1.3 miles
The first loop is ADA compliant. Second loop is mostly flat with occasional log framed steps and plank trail. Restrooms (vault toilets) at trailhead are not accessible.
In front of the restroom, one accessible parking space is indicated by a sign and blue paint on the ground. Another space next to the trail entrance is indicated by blue striped paint on the ground.
At the entrance of the trail there is a two-inch drop from the parking lot pavement. Wheelchair users may need assistance.
Wonderland Trail is a family-friendly coastal trail popular for birding and tidepooling at low tide. The trail, which has uneven footing in areas, is not considered accessible.
Distance: 1.4 miles round trip
Terrain: gravel fire road, rocky sections, coastline
There is limited parking in a small lot. Street parking is also available. No accessible parking spaces are designated.
There is no toilet at the trailhead. The closest accessible toilet is at the Ship Harbor Trailhead, a short drive south.
What to Expect
Find information relevant to the experience of people with disabilities embedded in these compilations of Acadia Places and Things to Do.
In the Eagle Lake boat ramp parking lot, a woman transitions from a wheelchair to the driver seat of an automobile.
NPS Photo by Robyn Smyth
Accessible Parking
All striped and paved parking lots have at least one parking space that is designated accessible, including van parking with access aisles. Unmarked spaces are generally paved and even. Some, however, include slopes or limited space.
Two companies currently hold Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permits to offer narrated interpretive bus tours in Acadia. Please contact them directly for information about the availability of accessible offerings:
Air pollution is often carried into Maine by the wind. When conditions may be harmful to people with respiratory concerns, park staff post alerts through our Current Conditions page.
Current Air Quality Forecast by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
