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 for Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season. Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail are temporarily closed for peregrine falcon nesting.

[$] Cadillac Summit reservation

A vehicle reservation is required for Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season. An entrance pass is separate.

[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

Precipice, Jordan Cliffs, Valley Cove, and Penobscot East trails can close during peregrine nesting. Follow signs and check current conditions.

[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

Every place lists all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.

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.

Schoodic Peninsula ↑

Do this: 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 ↑

Do this: 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.

Report park conditions

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. It does not reserve Cadillac Summit Road or a parking space.

Official fees and passes

Cadillac Summit Road

Reserve a vehicle time for Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season. Walking or biking does not use a vehicle reservation.

Official Cadillac reservations

Camping

Reserve a campground before arriving when reservations are required. Sleeping in a vehicle outside a campsite is not allowed.

Official camping information

Boating and fishing

Some lakes and ponds have separate boating or fishing rules. Check the current park rules before launching or fishing.

Official boating information

Short hikes

Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.