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Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor, ME

Though the affluent of the turn of the century came here to frolic, they had much to do with preserving the landscape that we know today. It was from this social strata that George B. Dorr came. He devoted 43 years of his life, energy, and family fortune to preserving the Acadian landscape.

Thanks to the foresight of Dorr and others like him, Acadia became the first national park established east of the Mississippi. Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia encompasses 47,633 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Such diverse types of habitat make Acadia a haven for wildlife and plants.

Entwined with the natural diversity of Acadia is the story of people. Evidence suggests native people first lived here at least 5,000 years ago. Subsequent centuries brought explorers from far lands, settlers of European descent, and arising directly from the beauty of the landscape -- tourism and preservation. 

CONTACTS

Email - Acadia_Information@nps.gov

Fax- (207) 288-5507

Write to
P.O. Box 177
Eagle Lake Road
Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0177

Phone
Visitor Information - (207) 288-3338
Visitor Information (TTY) - (207) 288-3338
Headquarters - (207) 288-3338
Headquarters(TTY) - (207) 288-3338

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Some roads are open 24 hours year-round; some roads are closed in winter.

Winter visitor center/Park Headquarters hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, November 1 to mid-April, except Thanksgiving Day, December 24 and 25, and January 1. Hulls Cove Visitor Center hours: mid-April through June and October, daily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; July-August, daily, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; September, daily, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Getting There
PLANE - Direct flights from Boston's Logan Airport land at the Hancock County Airport, located 10 miles from Acadia National Park. National airlines serve the Bangor International Airport, about 1 hour from the park. Car rentals are available at both airports.

CAR - Acadia National Park is located approximately six hours north of Boston. From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine; from Augusta take Route 3 east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island or take I-95 north to Bangor, Maine; from Bangor take Route 1A east to Ellsworth; from Ellsworth take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Concord Trailways and Vermont Transit offer service between Boston's Logan Airport and Bangor. Concord Trailways connects with the Airport Express shuttle with service to Bar Harbor. Vermont Transit operates between Bangor and Bar Harbor during the summer months.

Weather & Climate
Arrive prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Summer temperatures vary from 45º F to 85º F, spring and fall temperatures from 30º F to 70º F. You may encounter rain and fog at any time, but be assured that the sun does shine!

Accessibility
A guidebook detailing accessible facilities and activities is available through the mail, at the visitor center, and on the expanded website. A wheelchair is available at the visitor center for use in the park.

Getting Around
Visitors can drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road to view dazzling scenery and enjoy an occasional stop to stroll down a path or to read a wayside information sign.

The Island Explorer shuttle bus picks visitors up at their lodging or campground and links them to destinations across Mount Desert Island and into Acadia National Park. The service is supported in part by park fees so the ride is fare-free. The shuttle operates late June to Labor Day.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ACADIA ENTRANCE PERMIT
$10.00 for 7 Days
Good for entrance into Acadia National Park for one vehicle for 7 days, including the date of purchase. 80% of the fees are returned directly to Acadia National Park to help with a backlog of resource management and maintenance projects.

ACADIA MOTORCYCLE/MOTORBIKE ENTRANCE PERMIT
$5.00 for 7 Days
Good for entrance into Acadia National Park for one motorcycle/motorbike for 7 days, including date of purchase. 80% of the fees are returned directly to Acadia National Park to help with a backlog of resource management and maintenance projects.

ACADIA PASS
$20.00 for Annual
Good for entrance into Acadia National Park for one vehicle for one year from date of purchase. 80% of the fees are returned directly to Acadia National Park to help with a backlog of resource management and maintenance projects.

COMMERCIAL MINI-BUS TOUR
$60.00 for One Time
Good for 1 entrance into Acadia National Park for a commercial tour mini-bus with a passenger capacity of 16 to 25. Call (207) 288-3360 for more information.

COMMERCIAL SEDAN TOUR
$25.00 + for One Time
$5/person for One Time
Good for 1 entrance into Acadia National Park for a commercial tour sedan with a passenger capacity of 1 to 6. Call (207) 288-3360 for more information.

COMMERCIAL TOUR BUS
$150.00 for One Time
Good for 1 entrance into Acadia National Park for a commercial tour bus with a passenger capacity of 26 or more. Call (207) 288-3360 for more information.

COMMERCIAL VAN TOUR
$50.00 for One Time
Good for 1 entrance into Acadia National Park for a commercial tour van with a passenger capacity of 7 to 15. Call (207) 288-3360 for more information.

CAMPING

Blackwoods
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Located on Route 3, five miles south of Bar Harbor. Reservations required from May 1 - October 31. Fees:$20 per night per site. All sites are wooded and within a 10 minute walk of the ocean. The majority of sites are for tents, small and large, but other sites accomodate pop-ups, vehicle campers, and RVs up to 35 feet. A maximum of one vehicle and six people is allowed at each site. There are no hook-ups. Campground facilities include comfort stations, cold running water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, and water faucets. Showers and camping supply stores are within 1/2 mile of the campground. From December 1 - April 1, facilities are limited to picnic tables, fire rings, chemical toilets, and a hand pump for drinking water. Fees vary during the off-season.

Seawall
Open From mid-May to end of September
Located on Route 102A, four miles south of Southwest Harbor. First-come, first-served. In late July and August there is a great demand for campsites and lines form early each morning. All sites are wooded and within a 10 minute walk of the ocean. The majority of sites are for tents, both drive-in and walk-in sites, but other sites accomodate pop-ups, vehicle campers, and RVs up to 35 feet. A maximum of one vehicle and six people is allowed at each site. There are no hook-ups. Campground facilities include comfort stations, cold running water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, and water faucets. Showers and camping supply stores are within 1/2 mile of the campground. "Fees range from $14 for walk-in tent sites to $20 for drive-up tent, camper, and motorhome sites.

Group Camping Sites- Blackwoods and Seawall
From November 1 to April 30 group sites are closed. Groups must camp in regular sites. 2 tents, 6 people allowed on a site.
From May 1 to mid-October, five group campsites accommodate 15-20 campers per site at either campground. Group campsites are for use by educational organizations or other formally organized groups. Reservations are made through the park. Write to the park after January 1 for a group camping reservation form. Return the completed application on or after March 15. Group campsites contain 2 or 3 fireplaces, picnic tables, and a nearby restroom with cold running water and flush toilets. Rates are $50 per night per site.
For More Information on this campground please call 207-288-3338

Isle au Haut
Open From mid-May to mid-October
Remote and inaccessible to automobiles, Isle au Haut is linked to the mainland by mailboat from Stonington, Maine. No automobile ferry exists. 5 lean-to shelters at Duck Harbor Campground can be used on an advance reservation basis from May 15 through October 14. Shelters have three sides, roof and floor and accomodate up to six people. Small free standing tent may only be erected inside lean-to. Facilities include a fire ring, picnic table, pit toilet and hand pump for water. Bring containers for water. There is no trash disposal. All trash must be carried out. Pets are not permitted in the campground. For reservation requests, call the park for special use permit information. Requests must be postmarked or received in person at park headwquarters April 1 or later. There is a $25 fee. Maximum stay is 3 nights from mid-June to mid-September, and 5 nights before and after these dates.
For More Information on this campground please call (207) 288-3338

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
HULLS COVE VISITOR CENTER
Phone - (207) 288-3338
Location - Off Route 3 in Hulls Cove.
Closures - Closed November 1 through mid-April
Special Programs - A free 15-minute audiovisual program is shown every half hour - available in English, French, German, audio description, and captioned. A cassette tape tour of Acadia and the surrounding area is available for purchase or rent. A tape player can also be rented. Ask for a schedule of ranger-led activities (June - mid-October) that includes talks, walks, hikes, boat cruises, and evening programs. The visitor center information staff can assist you in planning your visit. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger program during the summer.
Exhibits - Free literature and sales items are available and give details about motor vehicle, bicycle, and hiking routes, as well as the cultural and natural history of the area.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking water, bookstore

PARK HEADQUARTERS / WINTER VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone - (207) 288-3338
Location - On Route 233 near Eagle Lake.
Closures - Closed on weekends from mid-April through October, Federal holidays, Thanksgiving Day, December 24, December 25, and January 1.
Exhibits - Park orientation information, free literature and sales items are available and give details about motor vehicle, bicycle, and hiking routes, as well as the cultural and natural history of the area.

SIEUR DE MONTS NATURE CENTER
Phone - (207) 288-3003
Location - 3 miles south of Bar Harbor on Rt. 3
Closures - Closed October through early May. Open weekends only beginning in early May.
Special Programs - Ranger-led walks and talks are scheduled periodically during the season.
Exhibits - Exhibits reflect Acadia's natural resources, history, and park research. Park informaton, free literature, and sales items are also available.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking fountains.

ISLESFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Phone - (207) 244-9224
Location - On Little Cranberry Island. Can be reached by mailboat or tour boats from Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor.
Closures - Closed until 10:45 AM on Sundays. Closed daily from 12 noon to 12:30 PM. Closed October 1 through mid-June.
Special Programs - Ranger-led walks and talks are scheduled periodically throughout the season.
Exhibits - Exhibits tell the story of the Cranberry Isles and its people through ship models, navigation aids, dolls and toys, photographs, tools. Park information, free literature, and sales items are available.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking fountain.

THOMPSON ISLAND INFORMATION CENTER
Phone - (207) 288-3411
Location - On the causeway at the head of Mount Desert Island on Rt. 3
Closures - Closed from mid-October to mid-May.
Exhibits - Displays of park information and area Chambers of Commerce information.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic area available nearby.

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