[$] Cadillac Summit reservation
A vehicle reservation is required for Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season. An entrance pass is separate.
FIELD GUIDE / SUMMER 2026
Acadia National Park
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Current conditions
A vehicle reservation is required to drive on Cadillac Summit Road. Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, Valley Cove Trail, and the Precipice Trail parking lot are closed for peregrine falcon nesting.
[CELL] Do not depend on cell service
Cellular service is very limited on most trails and along Ocean Drive. Public Wi-Fi is not available. Open this guide before leaving town.
[X] Peregrine nesting closures
Jordan Cliffs, Precipice, and Valley Cove trails are closed until further notice. The Precipice Trail parking lot is also closed to vehicles.
[PARK] Parking fills
Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac lots fill early. Do not stop on Park Loop Road or block traffic.
NPS conditions (large page)
Services by place
Major places list all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
- Bar Harbor / Hulls Cove
Food: Yes Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Strong - Sand Beach / Ocean Drive
Food: No Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Weak - Jordan Pond
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Weak - Cadillac Mountain
Food: Seasonal Water: Seasonal Toilets: Seasonal Fuel: No Signal: Limited
Bar Harbor / Hulls Cove ↑
Do this: Buy food, fuel, water, and supplies in Bar Harbor before entering the park.
- Food, fuel: Yes in Bar Harbor.
- Water: Yes in town and at the visitor center.
- Signal: Usually good in town; weak in the park.
Hulls Cove Visitor Center is the main information stop on Mount Desert Island.
Sand Beach / Ocean Drive ↑
Do this: Use the restroom before hiking and carry food and water from town.
- Food: No dependable food.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Toilets: Yes when open.
- Signal: Weak or unavailable.
Ocean Path, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff are nearby. Parking fills early.
Jordan Pond ↑
Do this: Eat at the seasonal restaurant if open, then carry water for the loop.
- Food: Seasonal restaurant and limited store.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities when open.
- Signal: Weak or unreliable.
The parking lot is small for the demand. Arrive early or use the Island Explorer shuttle when available.
Cadillac Mountain ↑
Do this: Reserve the summit vehicle time before leaving service. Bring layers and water.
- Food: Limited seasonal snacks when open.
- Water: Seasonal at summit facilities.
- Signal: Limited; do not depend on it.
Weather at the summit can be colder and windier than in Bar Harbor.
Other places
- Schoodic Peninsula — Fill the tank and buy food in Winter Harbor before driving the loop. Food: Limited seasonal food; more in Winter Harbor. · Water: Seasonal at developed facilities. · Toilets: Yes at developed stops. · Fuel: No dependable fuel in the park. · Signal: Weak or unreliable. Schoodic has fewer services and less traffic than Mount Desert Island.
- Seawall / Southwest Harbor — Use Southwest Harbor for food and fuel before exploring the west side. Food: Yes nearby in Southwest Harbor; limited at Seawall. · Water: Seasonal at developed facilities. · Toilets: Yes at Seawall when open. · Fuel: Yes nearby in Southwest Harbor; no in the park. · Signal: Usually available in town; weak at Seawall. The west side is quieter but has fewer services and longer drives between stops.
- Isle au Haut / Duck Harbor — Reserve ferry and campground space first. Carry food and water, and plan around the return boat. Food: No dependable food in the park area. Bring all food. · Water: No dependable treated water. Bring water and a treatment method. · Toilets: Limited at Duck Harbor Campground. · Fuel: No. Passenger ferry access only. · Signal: Unreliable or unavailable. This remote part of Acadia is reached by passenger ferry from Stonington.
Drive times
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
Bar Harbor to Sand Beach
Bar Harbor → 10 min → Hulls Cove Visitor Center → 20 min → Sand Beach
Park Loop Road is one-way in places. Summer traffic and full lots add time.
Sand Beach to Jordan Pond
Sand Beach → 15 min → Otter Cliff → 10 min → Jordan Pond
Use the Park Loop Road. Food is seasonal at Jordan Pond; buy supplies in Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor to Cadillac Mountain
Bar Harbor → 15 min → Cadillac Summit Road turn → 20 min → summit
A vehicle reservation is required for the summit road during the reservation season.
Bar Harbor to Schoodic
Bar Harbor → 60–75 min → Winter Harbor → Schoodic Peninsula
Schoodic is a separate mainland section. Fuel and full food service are outside the park.
Help
Emergency: call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, vehicle, and problem.
Park information: 207-288-3338
This independent guide is not the National Park Service and is not an emergency service.
Permits
Entrance pass
An entrance pass is required for most visitors. The park is fully cashless. Park sales outlets only accept mobile payments, credit cards, or debit cards. Cash payers must buy a pass from local third-party vendors. A pass does not reserve Cadillac Summit Road or a parking space.
Cadillac Summit Road
Reserve a vehicle time for Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season. Walking or biking does not use a vehicle reservation.
Camping
Reserve a campground before arriving when reservations are required. Sleeping in a vehicle outside a campsite is not allowed.
Boating and fishing
Some lakes and ponds have separate boating or fishing rules. Check the current park rules before launching or fishing.
Short hikes
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.
- Sand Beach / Ocean Path to Thunder Hole: 2.4 mi round trip. Coastal trail with uneven rock and changing surf.
- Jordan Pond / Jordan Pond Path: 3.3 mi loop. The loop has roots, rocks, and narrow boardwalk sections.
- Cadillac Mountain / Cadillac Summit Loop: 0.5 mi. Short but exposed. Wind and fog can arrive quickly.
- Schoodic / Wonderland Trail: 1.4 mi round trip. An easy coastal walk with limited shade.
- Sand Beach / Great Head Trail: 1.4 mi loop. Rocky sections and exposed coastal ledges.