Photo of female trail crew worker wearing a NPS uniform and yellow hardhat standing along a rocky hiking trail under construction surrounded by green, leafy vegetation in bright sunlight.

National Park Service Proposes Entrance Fee Increase at Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park » National Park Service Proposes Entrance Fee Increase at Acadia National Park » Document List

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to increase the entrance fee at Acadia National Park to support projects that benefit visitors and protect park resources. The new entrance fee would become effective starting in 2023 and be required year-round.

The proposed entrance fee increase is as follows:
Private Vehicle (7-day) - From $30 to $35
Motorcycle (7-day) - From $25 to $30
Individual (7-day) - From $15 to $20
Annual - From $55 to $70

The NPS is seeking input from the public on the entrance fee increase. A 30-day public comment period will be open from November 30 through December 29, 2022. Comments must be submitted online through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at go.nps.gov/AcadiaFeeIncrease.

The entrance fee is a critical source of revenue that is retained by the NPS to fund improvements to visitor facilities and services, and complete resource management projects. All entrance fee revenue remains within the NPS with 80% retained by Acadia National Park and 20% distributed to other national parks. The funds are expended on projects and activities that further the mission and purpose of the NPS, with an emphasis on deferred maintenance. Examples of projects at Acadia that have been funded with entrance fee revenue over the past few years include:

• Funded 60-70% of the annual operation of the Island Explorer bus system to provide fare-free service to park visitors and community members on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula.

• Completed hiking trail projects, such as the installation of bog walk on Upper Hadlock Pond and Jordan Pond trails; rehabilitation of Great Head and Parkman Mountains trails, and replacement of trail bridges throughout the park's hiking trail system.

• Improved park facilities, including repairs to the historic carriage road gatehouses, removal of hazard trees along park roads and powerlines, repairs to campground restrooms, and replacement of damaged park road gates.

• Provided increased custodial services in response to increasing park visitation.

The proposed entrance fee increase is based on the NPS's pricing structure, which has been established for all areas in the National Park System that collect an entrance fee. The entrance fee structure is set up into four groups according to the park's legislative designation with two groups that include "National Park" designation. The entrance fee increase would move Acadia National Park into the highest tier group along with other iconic and highly visited national parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. The previous entrance fee increase at Acadia National Park was in 2018.

The entrance fee increase would not change commercial entrance fees for businesses operating in the park under a Commercial Use Authorization or the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes that are valid for entry at Acadia National Park, including the Annual, Senior, Access, 4th Grade, Military Annual, and Military Lifetime passes.

The proposed entrance fee increase does not affect the $6 vehicle reservation fee for Cadillac Summit Road, which is required from May through October in addition to the entrance fee.

Visitors under 16 years of age are exempt from paying an entrance fee.

The entrance fee is authorized by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814; P.L. 108-447, Division J, Title VIII) and requires that the public have opportunities to participate in the development of, or change to, an entrance fee established under the Act.

Contact Information

John T. Kelly, Management Assistant, Acadia National Park, 207-288-8703