About All ToursBike ToursBus ToursFrom Bar Harbor ToursSelf-Guided Audio Tours Directions Hours & Fees Guides
Find Tours 
Acadia National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, but everyone needs a paid pass to enter. A standard 7-day vehicle pass costs $35, and driving up Cadillac Mountain in summer requires an extra $6 reservation.
Acadia National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Access changes drastically with the seasons. Most paved routes, including the Park Loop Road, close from December 1 to mid-April, leaving only coastal areas like the Schoodic Loop Road fully accessible during winter.
Swipe to see more
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Visitor centers, campgrounds, and most roads operate on seasonal schedules, generally opening between May and October. |
Acadia remains open on all national holidays. The park waives entrance fees on Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend. Winter dictates actual access. Ice storms shut down most unpaved roads, campgrounds, and visitor centers from December through March.
A standard 7-day vehicle pass costs $35 and covers everyone inside. You'll pay less if arriving on foot, by bike, or on a motorcycle, while non-US residents face a steep $100 surcharge. Plan to bring a card, as several fee stations no longer accept cash.
Swipe to see more
| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle (7 days) | $35.00 | Covers all occupants |
| Motorcycle (7 days) | $30.00 | Covers up to 2 motorcycles and 4 passengers |
| Individual on foot or bicycle | $20.00 | Age 16 and older; under 16 enter free |
| Non-US resident surcharge | $100.00 | Per person 16+; waived with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass |
| Annual Acadia Pass | $70.00 | Valid for 12 months |
| Cadillac Summit Road reservation | $6.00 | Required per vehicle from roughly May 20 to October 25 |
Entrance fees are waived on several holidays, including Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend, and the park accepts all America the Beautiful federal passes.
Planning your visit to Acadia National Park? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursEarly September is the best time to visit Acadia National Park. Summer fog clears, blackflies are gone, and all facilities remain open without the peak June through August crowds. If you're chasing fall foliage, aim for mid-October, but expect heavy traffic on the Park Loop Road.
Swipe to see more
| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (Before 08:00) | Low | Claim empty parking spots at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole before the summer crowds arrive. |
| Mid-morning (08:00–12:00) | High | Major attraction lots hit capacity by mid-morning, forcing latecomers to circle for spaces or ride the fare-free Island Explorer shuttle. |
| Midday (12:00–17:00) | High | Roadside congestion peaks along the Park Loop Road, and wait times for popovers at Jordan Pond House stretch out. |
| Evening (After 17:00) | Moderate | Traffic finally clears after 5 pm, opening up spaces at popular overlooks for quieter late-day hikes. |
Plan to spend one to three days in the park. You can finish a complete drive of the Park Loop Road with stops at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole in half a day. Adding trail hikes, walks along the carriage roads, or ferry rides to remote areas like Isle au Haut will push your visit to two or three days.
Purchase your $35 vehicle pass through recreation.gov before your trip to bypass lines at fee stations. The park refuses cash at several entry points. You will need a credit or debit card.
Driving up Cadillac Mountain between late May and late October requires a separate $6 timed vehicle reservation. Book this through recreation.gov well in advance. Summer slots sell out quickly.
Parking lots at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain regularly hit capacity by mid-morning from June through September. Plan to arrive before 8 am or wait until after 5 pm to secure a spot.
The fare-free Island Explorer bus runs from mid-June to mid-October, connecting major trailheads and carriage roads. Riding it completely eliminates the stress of hunting for summer parking along the Park Loop Road.
Maine's coastal climate brings frequent fog and sharp temperature swings, even during the summer months. Bring rain gear and dress in removable layers. This keeps you comfortable as cool mornings turn into warm afternoons.
A 7-day pass costs $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, and $20 for pedestrians or cyclists. Annual passes are $70, and children under 16 enter for free.
The park does not accept cash at several fee locations. Buy your entrance pass online in advance through recreation.gov, or bring a credit or debit card to pay at the gate.
You need a $6 timed vehicle reservation to drive the Cadillac Summit Road between roughly May 20 and October 25. Book this in advance through recreation.gov, as spots fill fast during the summer. The reservation gives you a specific entry time, but you can stay at the 1,530-foot summit until the road closes at 9 pm.
Acadia is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Most visitor centers and campgrounds operate only from May through October. The main Park Loop Road typically stays open from mid-April until December 1, while unpaved roads close earlier in November.
The fare-free Island Explorer shuttle runs from mid-June to mid-October. These propane-powered buses connect Bar Harbor to major trailheads, campgrounds, and the carriage road network. Riding the shuttle helps you avoid midday parking congestion at lots near Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.
You can bring a dog on most trails and carriage roads, provided they stay on a leash under six feet. The park bans them from steep iron-rung routes like Precipice and Beehive. Summer access to Sand Beach and Echo Lake Beach is also prohibited for pets.
Non-US residents aged 16 and older pay a $100 surcharge per person on top of the standard entrance pass. Buy an Annual Acadia Pass or an America the Beautiful federal pass to bypass this extra cost.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours