Essential Acadia: Top 5 Things To Know Before Visiting

Since time immemorial, Native American peoples have inhabited the land now called Maine. Acadia National Park continues to be a place of enduring and immeasurable importance to the Wabanaki, People of the Dawnland. Resistant and resilient, Wabanaki people are still here. We gratefully acknowledge the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkokmikuk, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, and the Penobscot Indian Nation on whose ancestral homelands we now gather.

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Photo © Alan Nyiri, used with permission.

Experiences like this take early planning

Photos courtesy of Friends of Acadia

Welcome to Acadia National Park

— Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coastline. Learn more about the park and make plans for your visit at nps.gov/acadia.

Buy Before You Arrive

All visitors aged 16 and above must have a park entrance pass. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Pass purchase options are described fully online at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPass.

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

All sites in park campgrounds require an advance reservation at Recreation.gov. There is no backcountry camping or overnight parking allowed anywhere in Acadia. Accommodations may be available in nearby towns. Visit go.nps.gov/AcadiaChambers

Ride With Us

Try a car-free experience.The fare-free Island Explorer serves most of the park and surrounding communities except Cadillac Mountain. Using the propane-powered bus reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. More at go.nps.gov/IslandExplorer

Protect Your Pet Privileges

Pets are welcome in Acadia, but rules apply. Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times. Collect and dispose of animal waste in trash containers. Find information about service animals, the Bark Ranger program, and a list of locations where pets are restricted from entry at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPets

Your Safety Starts With You

All natural areas pose risk. Your safety depends on your own good judgement. Before setting out on the park’s hiking trails, carefully research hazards and challenges along your planned route. Please do not rely on your cellphone as a map or flashlight. Always carry extra water, a detailed map, warm layers, and foot traction as conditions warrant. Bicycles and horses are not allowed on hiking trails. Check for trail closures and current conditions at go.nps.gov/AcadiaAlerts

Carriage roads are open year-round to multiple recreational uses. Pedestrians must yield to horses and cyclists must yield to horses and pedestrians. Only Class 1 E-bikes are allowed on carriage roads. Motorized vehicles and Class 2 & 3 E-bikes are prohibited. In winter, please avoid trampling groomed ski tracks.

Take Only Memories, Leave Only Footprints

Please leave Acadia as you find it. Walk only on designated trails and durable surfaces. Pack out trash and pet waste. Secure food and keep your distance from wildlife. Do not stack rocks or alter cairns used for trail navigation. If you discover a cultural artifact, leave it in place, snap a picture, note the location, and tell a park ranger. Learn more at go.nps.gov/AcadiaTrace

Essential Acadia: Braille

• Download a Braille Ready Format (BRF) (32cpl25lpp) translation of the Essential Acadia messages.

Essential Acadia: Audio Recording

• Essential Acadia: Audio Recording

  
  

  An audio recording introducing a list of essential things to know about visiting Acadia National Park.

  Date created:

  10/06/2023

  Audio Transcript

  Welcome to Acadia National Park, the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coastline. Learn more about the park and make plans for your visit at nps.gov/acadia.

  All visitors aged 16 and above must have a park entrance pass. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Pass purchase options are described fully online at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPass.

  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

  All sites in park campgrounds require an advance reservation at Recreation.gov. There is no backcountry camping or overnight parking allowed anywhere in Acadia. Accommodations may be available in nearby towns. Visit go.nps.gov/AcadiaChambers

  Try a car-free experience.The fare-free Island Explorer serves most of the park and surrounding communities except Cadillac Mountain. Using the propane-powered bus reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. More at go.nps.gov/IslandExplorer

  Pets are welcome in Acadia, but rules apply. Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times. Collect and dispose of animal waste in trash containers. Find information about service animals, the Bark Ranger program, and a list of locations where pets are restricted from entry at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPets

  All natural areas pose risk. Your safety depends on your own good judgement. Before setting out on the park’s hiking trails, carefully research hazards and challenges along your planned route. Please do not rely on your cellphone as a map or flashlight. Always carry extra water, a detailed map, warm layers, and foot traction as conditions warrant. Bicycles and horses are not allowed on hiking trails. Check for trail closures and current conditions at go.nps.gov/AcadiaAlerts

  Carriage roads are open year-round to multiple recreational uses. Pedestrians must yield to horses and cyclists must yield to horses and pedestrians. Only Class 1 E-bikes are allowed on carriage roads. Motorized vehicles and Class 2 & 3 E-bikes are prohibited. In winter, please avoid trampling groomed ski tracks.

  Please leave Acadia as you find it. Walk only on designated trails and durable surfaces. Pack out trash and pet waste. Secure food and keep your distance from wildlife. Do not stack rocks or alter cairns used for trail navigation. If you discover a cultural artifact, leave it in place, snap a picture, note the location, and tell a park ranger. Learn more at go.nps.gov/AcadiaTrace

Download the NPS App. If you select Acadia to “Save this park for offline use,” you can access content throughout your visit regardless of spotty connectivity.

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