Acadia National Park Fees & Reservations

It doesn’t matter how you get to Acadia National Park, or which entrance you use, you’ve got to pay an entrance fee to enjoy the marvelous Acadia National Park . . . and so you should, how else can they afford to keep this fantastic place open and maintain it for future generations. A whopping 80% of the fees which you pay to the park actually stay at the park and are used for various projects and schemes which directly benefit visitors to the park and the park resources, so rest assured that your money will be well spent for your own benefit. You can pay your entrance fees at any of the following places;

Acadia National Park Entrance Station – you’ll find this on the Park Loop Road north of Sand Beach.
Park Headquarters
Hulls Cove Visitor Center
Thompson Island Information Center
Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds
Bar Harbor Village Green

Entrance Fees to Acadia National Park

Okay, now that we’ve established where you can pay and how the money will be used, the next question is what does it cost? Bear in mind these prices are for seven days from day of purchase.

$20 per vehicle between 23 June and early in October.
$10 per vehicle between the beginning of May and 22 June, as well as the remainder of the month of October.
$5 per individual who enters the park on foot, bicycle, motorcycle etc.
$40 will buy an annual pass for one vehicle, that’s a full 12 months entry to Acadia National Park for only $40.

Camping at Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park has just two primary campgrounds, Seawall Campground and Blackwoods Campground, with a third, Wildwood Stables Campground available for visitors who have stock animals only. Back country camping is not permitted at Acadia National Park, although there is primitive camping at Duck Harbor Campground, which is located on Isle au Haut. Here are a few more details about the each of the individual campgrounds available at Acadia National Park.

No, it isn’t always windy at Acadia National Park, in case you were wondering.

Seawall Campground, Acadia National Park

Located around four miles south of Southwest Harbor on Route 102A, Seawall Campground is open for business from late in May until the end of September. Only a small number of sites can be reserved, but if you’re planning on a camping trip here during the peak months then you’re certainly advised to make a reservation if possible. Half of the sites cannot be reserved and are available on a first come, first served basis.

214 sites available (of which around half can be reserved in advance).
$14 per night for walk-in tent sites.
$20 per night for drive-up tent sites, motorhomes, campers etc.
Group campsites are available but only by reservation.
There are no utilities or hook-ups available.
Showers are available close by, for a small fee.
This campsite is an Island Explorer Shuttle Bus stop.
A maximum of two tents and one vehicle is permitted at each site.
Six persons per party (except group campsites of course).
Tents must be able to fit into the site pad provided.
Size of any recreational vehicle must not exceed 35′ in length, or 11′ 8″ in height.
Firewood is available close to the campground – DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD as it may contain insect species which can be harmful to the delicate balance at Acadia National Park.

Blackwoods Campground, Acadia National Park

Located five miles to the south of Bar Harbor on Route 3, this campground is open all year round but there are restrictions. Reservations are available, and highly recommended during May through to October.

306 sites are available at Blackwoods Campground.
Group campsites are also available, by reservation only.
$20 per campsite, per night during May through October.
$10 per campsite during April and November (weather permitting).
There are no hook-up or utilities available.
Restrooms are open with running water.
This campsite is also on the route of the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus.
A maximum of two tents and one vehicle is permitted at each site.
Six persons per party (except group campsites).
Tents must be able to fit within the tent pad provided.
Size of any recreational vehicle must not exceed 35′ in length, or 11′ 8″ in height.
Firewood is available close to the campground – DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD as it may contain insect species which can be harmful to the delicate balance at Acadia National Park.
Primitive camping is available during the winter months, for which a camping permit must be obtained. This is available for walk-in campers only, as the road is closed to automobiles during these months. Campers must hike from the entrance on Route 3. The only facilities available at this time at a portable toilet and hand pump for the water. Campers must take all of their trash out with them.

Duck Harbor Campground, Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut is a rugged island just off the coast of Stonington, Maine. The island is not accessible by automobile but can be reached by mailboat from the mainland. There are five primitive campsites available at Duck Harbor Campground, which can be reserved from May 15 through October 15 . . . you’ve gotta’ have a reservation to camp at Duck Harbor Campground. Camping is only permitted in designated sites, with a maximum of six persons per party.

There are five three-sided lean-to shelters, with a roof and a floor, 8′ tall x 8′ deep x 12.5′ wide. You can only use a tent which will fit inside the shelter.
Fire ring.
Composting toilet.
Picnic table.
Water from a hand pump 1600 feet away from the shelters.
Checkout strictly at 11 am.
Quiet hours between the hours of 10pm and 8am when generators are not permitted.
As I’ve already said, reservations are essential for this primitive camping experience, but you can’t make a request for a reservation before April 1, and you can’t make a reservation request by telephone, you can simply phone the park on 207-288-3338 and ask for a reservation form.

During mid May to mid June, mid September and mid October you are allowed a maximum of a five day stay
Only three day stays are permitted between mid June and mid September
You’re only permitted to have one stay, one calendar year . . . it’s that popular you’ve gotta’ let everybody else have a turn.
Make sure you check the ferry schedule at Isle au Haut Boat Services before you decide on your preferred dates.
Permits cost $25 each, irrespective of the number of days you stay.

Howzabout that then?