As visits to national parks continue to increase, some parks suffer from the increased use of private autiomobiles: traffic congestion, parking problems, exhaust and noise pollution. The resource suffers, and the visitor experience is diminished.
Several units of the National Park Service have implemented bus and shuttle systems to alleviate the impacts of private automobiles.
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- Acadia National Park
A History of the Acadia's Island Explorer
- Locations: Acadia National Park
Implemented in 1999, the Island Explorer includes 17 clean-fuel, propane buses that run on seven routes and efficiently link the hotels, motels, and campgrounds of the area with park attractions and the Bar Harbor Airport. The shuttle buses have bicycle racks and provide full access for disabled passengers. The Island Explorer runs from the end of June through the middle of October, and each route runs on its own pre-established schedule.
- Denali National Park & Preserve
The Year Everything Changed: The 1972 Shuttle Bus Decision in Mount McKinley National Park
- Locations: Denali National Park & Preserve
The shuttle system at Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley National Park) is the longest continuously running shuttle system in the NPS. The origins of this bus system tie directly into the big increase in visitation brought about by the 1971 construction of Highway 3, connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks via a shorter route than ever before—and traveling right past the park entrance.
Come and drive our parks! Whether you are enjoying the fall foliage in Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, or watching the sunrise from Summit Road in Acadia National Park, you should always be aware of your surroundings and drive safely.
Last updated: January 24, 2018