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Essential Acadia: Top 5 Things To Know Before Visiting

Acadia National Park

Essential Acadia Messages: Animated
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      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

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      3 minutes, 29 seconds

      George B. Dorr, a key park founder and first superintendent, hosts this video of Essential Acadia messages with the help of artificial intelligence technology.

      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.

      Avoid Lines: 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.

      Leave No Trace

      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

      Essential Acadia: Audio Recording

      Promotional decal and logo for the NPS app
      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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      Essential Acadia: Other Languages

      Showing results 1-7 of 7

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: Arabic

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with beige background

        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

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: Dutch

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS background with blue background

        Welkom in het Acadia National Park, het kroonjuweel van de Noord-Atlantische kust. Lees meer over het park en plan uw bezoek op nps.gov/acadia.

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: French

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with brown background

        Bienvenue au Parc National de l'Acadie, le joyau de la couronne de la côte de l'Atlantique Nord. Visitez nps.gov/acadia pour apprendre plus sur le parc et pour planifier votre visite.

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: German

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with dark brown background

        Willkommen im Acadia Nationalpark, dem Juwel der Nordatlantikküste. Erfahren Sie mehr über den Park und planen Sie Ihren Besuch unter nps.gov/acadia.

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: Hindi

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with dark green background

        उत्तरी अटलांटिक समुद्र तट के ताज अकाडिया राष्ट्रीय पार्क (Acadia National Park) में आपका स्वागत है। nps.gov/acadia पर पार्क के बारे में अधिक जानें और अपनी यात्रा के लिए योजना बनाएं।

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with gold background

        欢迎来到阿卡迪亚国家公园,它是北大西洋海岸线上的皇冠瑰宝。请在  nps.gov/acadia 上了解有关公园的更多信息并制定游览计划。

      • Acadia National Park

        Essential Acadia: Spanish

        • Locations: Acadia National Park
        NPS arrowhead with green background

        Bienvenido al Parque Nacional Acadia, la joya de la corona de la costa del Atlántico Norte. Obtenga más información sobre el parque y haga planes para su visita en nps.gov/acadia.

      Last updated: March 28, 2025