Vehicle Reservations

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Driving your car to one of the most popular destinations in Acadia National Park requires a vehicle reservation. The system helps to reduce congestion, increase safety, and make finding a parking spot a lot more predictable for visitors.

Vehicle reservations are required for the Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset from May 26 through Oct 19, 2021. Vehicle reservations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi. Cadillac is not served by the fare-free Island Explorer bus system.

A park entrance pass is required for all locations in Acadia National Park in addition to the vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road. To make a vehicle reservation, visit Recreation.gov. Learn more at nps.gov/acadia

Duration:

52.01 seconds

Driving your car to one of the most popular destinations in Acadia National Park requires a vehicle reservation. The system helps to reduce congestion, increase safety, and make finding a parking spot a lot more predictable for visitors.

 

Vehicle Reservations Required for Cadillac Summit Road

Acadia is among the top ten most popular national parks in the United States, with more than 3.5 million visits a year. Visitation has surged almost 60 percent in a decade, leading to severe crowding at many park destinations. In 2019, the National Park Service completed a five-year process to approve a comprehensive Transportation Plan that may take a decade or longer to implement fully. Actions are decided with an adaptive management strategy that continually monitors, evaluates, and refines solutions toward best possible outcomes.

• Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 26 through October 19. Vehicle reservations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi. Cadillac is not served by the Island Explorer bus system.
• Vehicle reservations cost $6 and are sold online in advance at Recreation.gov. They are not available for purchase at the park.
• Thirty percent of vehicle reservations are made available 90 days ahead of each date. The remaining 70 percent are released at 10 am ET two days ahead.

• Please print or save a digital copy of the vehicle reservation with the confirmation code, which will be scanned to verify the reservation. Connectivity is unreliable in the park.

• Visitors must have a park entrance pass to enter the park in addition to purchasing a vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road. Park entrance passes are available at the park or online at Recreation.gov.

 

Map of Cadillac Summit Vehicle Reservation Area

Cadillac Summit Road

Cadillac Summit Road offers a three-mile drive to the top of the highest peak in the park. Along the way, there are several scenic pullouts to enjoy the view. Parking is available in two locations at the summit, where restrooms, a gift shop, and scenic overlooks connected by paved walks can be found. There is no Island Explorer bus service on the Cadillac Summit Road. Sunrise times range from 4:45 am in mid-June to 6:15 am in mid-October.

Road Conditions

The narrow, two-lane road winds to the 1,530-foot summit of Cadillac Mountain. Drivers should use caution when traveling the road and yield to pedestrians. Recreational vehicles and trailers are prohibited.

Parking availability

Paved pullouts are located along the road for short-term parking to enjoy the views. Do not cross traffic to pull out on the opposite side of the road. The Blue Hill Overlook parking area is 1/4-mile before the summit and offers the best sunset views. The Cadillac Summit parking area is arranged in a loop and offers the best sunrise views.

 

Vehicle Reservation Particulars

Sunrise
Month	Start	End
May - July	3:30 am	5:30 am
August	4 am	6 am
September	4:30 am	6:30 am
October	5 am	7 am

.

Daytime
Month	Start	End
May - July	6:30 am	8:30 pm
August	7 am	8 pm
September	7:30 am	7:30 pm
October	8 am	6:30 pm

• Sunrise reservations have a two-hour entry window. Daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window.
• Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry, but do not require a departure time. Reservations do not permit re-entry
• The number of vehicle reservations are limited as follows:

Sunrise: One vehicle reservation per seven days
Daytime: One vehicle reservation per day
.

• Vehicle reservations are per vehicle, not per person. Motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds are considered vehicles, and a vehicle reservation is required for each.
• Vehicle reservations do not assign a specific parking space. Parking is prohibited outside of designated spaces. Parking is available at the summit and Blue Hill Overlook, which is 1/4-mile before the summit.
• Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it. Vehicle reservations may be changed at no cost to another time and/or date prior to the time and date of the reservation.
• Accredited educational groups should contact the park for information on how to obtain a park entrance pass fee waiver and gain access to Cadillac Summit Road when vehicle reservations are in effect.
• Businesses wishing to conduct activities in the park must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to operate in the park and to obtain access to vehicle reservations for CUA holders.

 

Learn More

• Off-season opportunities at Operating Hours & Seasons and Winter Activities
• Explore the five-year Planning Process that led to the Vehicle Reservation System
• Avoid Crowds At Peak Season.
• Frequently Asked Questions

 

Acadia Goes Mobile: Buy Your Vehicle Reservation Online

Before you visit, make sure your phone or tablet is fully equipped with two official apps designed by and for Acadia. Swipe through location details, check real-time availability, and reserve a campsite right from your phone or tablet. Buy a Cadillac Summit Vehicle Reservation, then download or screen capture your confirmation code to display at the check station.