Getting Around Acadia: Park Loop Road, Shuttles, and Parking
The short answer: You need a car to reach Acadia, but once you're there, the free Island Explorer shuttle covers nearly all the must-see sites on Mount Desert Island. The two options complement each other, and few visitors use only one or the other.
How to Get to Acadia
The roads, distances, and options for reaching Mount Desert Island from Boston, Bangor, or Bar Harbor Airport are covered in our guide to getting to Acadia.
Park Entrances and Which One to Choose
The park's entry points, including Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the Park Loop Road entrance near Sand Beach, and Schoodic Peninsula, along with advice on choosing where to arrive, are covered in the guide to getting to Acadia. For entrance fees and annual passes, the Fees & Passes page covers the essentials.
Getting Around the Park
By Car
Park Loop Road, a roughly 27-mile partial loop of scenic road, is the backbone of the park on Mount Desert Island. It connects Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and the turnoff for Cadillac Mountain. The speed limit is 35 mph on most sections. Follow it closely, since the cliffside turns above the ocean leave little room for error.
A car is still essential for reaching outlying areas such as Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut, as well as for families carrying a lot of gear. That said, in July and August, Park Loop Road parking lots fill up before 10 a.m. Arrive before 8 a.m. or use the shuttle for the day.
By Shuttle (Island Explorer)
The Island Explorer is Acadia's biggest surprise: a network of free, propane-powered shuttles that serves the main trailheads, beaches, and villages from Bar Harbor. Service runs from late June through early October. Check nps.gov/acad for the exact dates this season.
Several routes cover the Village Loop, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, and other key areas. The shuttles carry bikes on front racks, making it easy to combine a trail and a bike ride without returning to your starting point.
When we visited on a Sunday in mid-August, we took the Jordan Pond route from Bar Harbor. It took 20 minutes and eliminated the parking hassle. In peak season, it's clearly the most comfortable option.
By Bike
The historic carriage roads, roughly 45 miles of crushed-stone paths closed to motor vehicles, are exceptional cycling terrain. Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the early 20th century, these roads give priority to bikes and horseback riders.
Several outfitters operate in Bar Harbor. Allow at least half a day to explore the network from Eagle Lake. Combine the shuttle and a bike to complete routes without having to return to the starting parking lot.
Where to Park: Lots and Reservations
Parking is the critical variable during a summer stay in Acadia. Here's what you need to know.
Park Loop Road parking lots: The lots near Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff are full by 9:30 a.m. in July and August. The Island Explorer shuttle is the straightforward answer.
Cadillac Mountain: A timed entry reservation is required during the season. It costs $6 per vehicle, in addition to the entrance fee. Without a reservation, the gate stays closed, no exceptions. Go through recreation.gov several weeks ahead of time.
Bar Harbor: Several paid lots downtown let you leave your vehicle and take the Island Explorer for the entire day. This is a good option if you're staying in town and want to explore without worrying about parking.
Jordan Pond: This is where you'll access Jordan Pond House and the carriage road network. It fills up quickly too, so aim to arrive before 9 a.m.
Distances and Travel Times Between Areas
Mount Desert Island is more compact than it looks. The entire park covers roughly 73 square miles. Allow 20 to 30 minutes by car between Bar Harbor and the main stops along Park Loop Road. Bar Harbor to Cadillac Summit Road takes about 15 minutes. Sand Beach to Jordan Pond takes about 10 minutes via Park Loop Road.
For Schoodic Peninsula, allow 1 hr 15 min from Bar Harbor by road, or take the seasonal ferry if it runs during your visit.
To build your day-by-day itinerary and decide the order of the areas you'll visit, our Itinerary & Length page covers the most efficient combinations.
Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessibility, and Pets
RVs and camper vans: Some sections of the carriage roads and a few internal roads have size restrictions. Check the length and height limits for the park's campgrounds before booking. Our RV Camping page brings this information together.
Accessibility: Several picnic areas, the area around Jordan Pond House, and part of the coastal walking network are wheelchair accessible. The Island Explorer can accommodate wheelchairs on most routes. A detailed accessibility map is available at nps.gov/acad.
Pets: Dogs are allowed in the park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They're prohibited on most marked trails and on some sections of the carriage roads. Sand Beach and many trailheads are off-limits to them. Check the rules for each area at nps.gov/acad before setting out with your dog.
Practical Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps
Fuel: There are no gas stations inside the park. Fill up in Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, or Southwest Harbor before you enter. Give yourself plenty of leeway if you're making several round trips in one day.
Cell service: Coverage is acceptable in Bar Harbor and along the main Park Loop Road, but it drops off quickly once you're in the woods or on the carriage roads. Download offline maps from the NPS app or Google Maps before leaving the service area. The Wi-Fi at Hulls Cove Visitor Center can help when you need a quick connection.
Useful apps: The official NPS app shows real-time conditions, including closures and weather alerts, as well as Island Explorer schedules. Recreation.gov is essential for timed entry reservations.
Marine fog and sudden showers are common along the Maine coast. Our Weather page prepares you for the typical conditions in each season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to pay to park at Acadia National Park?
Parking in the park's lots is included with the entrance fee, which is $35 per vehicle, or with an America the Beautiful pass. The timed entry reservation for Cadillac Mountain Summit Road and the Sand Beach section costs an additional $6 per vehicle and is required during peak season.
How do you get around Acadia National Park?
Three options work together: a car for the initial approach and outlying areas, the free Island Explorer shuttle, which runs from late June through early October, for the main sites on Mount Desert Island, and a bike on the historic carriage roads. The shuttle is strongly recommended in July and August to avoid crowded parking lots.
Where can you park in Acadia?
The main parking lots are along Park Loop Road, at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff, as well as at Jordan Pond and the Cadillac Mountain summit access. During peak season, they fill up before 10 a.m. The most convenient alternative is to leave your car in Bar Harbor and take the Island Explorer for the day.
What's the best entrance for visiting Acadia?
Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Route 3, north of Bar Harbor, is the best entrance for a first visit. It has a visitor center, maps, pass sales, and Island Explorer departures. To go straight to the coast and Sand Beach, the Park Loop Road entrance is more direct, but a timed entry reservation is required during the season.
Is there cell service in Acadia National Park?
Cell service is available in Bar Harbor and along the main roads, but it's very limited on the carriage roads and in the forest. Download your maps and check shuttle schedules offline before leaving areas with coverage.