Begin your visit to the park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center,
open daily May 1 to October 31. A free 15-minute introductory film is
shown every half hour. Free and sales literature on display give
details about motor vehicle, bicycle and hiking routes, and about the
cultural and natural history of the area. Ask for a schedule of
naturalist activities (mid-June through early October) that includes
walks, hikes, boat cruises and evening programs. Naturalist schedules
are usually ready for distribution in early June. They are not
available by mail. Children 8 years or older may participate in the
Junior Ranger program. When the Visitor Center is closed (November
through April), you may obtain information at Park Headquarters on Rt
233, 3 miles west of Bar Harbor.
Camping. Camping is only allowed in established campgrounds because the Park is small and fragile. You may camp at either of 2 campgrounds: Blackwoods, located off Route 3, 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, or Seawall, located on Route 102A, 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor. All park campsites are situated in the woods, within a 10-minute walk of the ocean. One vehicle, 6 people, and 2 small tents or 1 large tent are allowed at a campsite. Designated campsites accommodate trailers up to 35 feet. Neither campground contains utility hook-ups. From late spring to early fall, the campgrounds provide comfort stations, cold running water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, water faucets, and amphitheaters for evening slide programs. Showers and a camping supply store are within 0.5 miles. From mid-October to mid-May, Blackwoods remains open and facilities are limited to picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, and a hand pump for drinking water. At Blackwoods and Seawall, 5 group campsites accommodate 15-20 campers per site. Group sites contain 2-3 fireplaces, picnic tables, and a nearby restroom with cold running water and flush toilets. These sites are only for use by educational and other formally organized groups.
Weather. You should arrive prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Summer temperatures vary from 45°F to 85°F, spring and fall temperatures from 30°F to 70°F. Yo may encounter rain and fog at any time, but we assure you that the sun does shine! Mosquitoes and blackflies are most common during late-May and June.
Entrance Fees. North of Sand Beach on the Park Loop Road, a ranger will collect the Park entrance fee of $5 per private vehicle, $3 per person in a tour group, or $3 per person without a vehicle. The fee covers a one-week stay. If you visit the Park frequently, an annual Acadia Pass is $15; if you visit many other national parks, you may purchase a $25 Golden Eagle Pass which provides entry to all Park Service fee areas. If you are 62 years or older, you may purchase a $10 lifetime Golden Age Pass that provide entry and half-price camping at Acadia and other federal parks, monuments and recreation areas. If you are handicapped, free Golden Access Passes are available that offer the same benefits as the Golden Age Pass. All passes are available at the entrance station on the Park Loop Road. You can obtain the Golden Age and Golden Access passes at Park Headquarters, open weekdays 8 am to 4:30 pm. If you are eligible for a Golden Access Pass, it may be picked up at the Park campgrounds or the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
Camping Fees.Camping fees and entrance fees are separate charges. Payment of the camping fee does not provide free park entry or vice versa. From mid-June to mid-September, Blackwoods campsites cost $14 per night per site. From mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October, Blackwoods sites cost $12. From mid-October to mid-May, sites are free. At the Seawall campground, only open from late May until late September, drive-up campsites cost $12 per night and walk-in campsites cost $8 per night. Blackwoods and Seawall group sites are $20 per site per night.
Reservations. To camp at Blackwoods between June 15 and September 15, make a reservation through the Mistix reservation system no earlier than 56 days before the date you wish to camp. For telephone reservations from US and Canada, call 1-800-365-2267, TDD 1-800-274-7275. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. To reserve by mail, write: HSN Mistix, PO Box 9029, Clearwater, FL 34618. Reservations cannot be made in person. When making a reservation, you are simply securing a space in the campground; it is not possible to reserve a specific site or adjoining sites.
The Seawall campground, only open from late May until late September, operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During late July and August, plan your arrival early in the morning. There is a great demand for campsites and a line forms each morning; as campers check out, others from the waiting line are assigned available sites. Station hours are 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
Blackwoods and Seawall group sites are reserved through the Park, NOT through Mistix. Write to the Park after January 1 for a group camping reservation form. Return the completed application on or after March 15.
Other Accommodations. Although the Park has no other overnight accommodations, nearby communities contain hotels, motels, cabins, inns, and privately owned campgrounds. Please write the following Chambers of Commerce for a guide: Bar Harbor 04609; Northeast Harbor 04662; Southwest Harbor 04679; and for the Schoodic Peninsula, PO Box 327, Winter Harbor 04693.
Mail. The Park has NO mail delivery service. Address mail to Blackwoods campers c/o General Delivery, Otter Creek, Maine 04665, to Seawall campers c/o General Delivery, Manset, Maine 04656, and to other park visitors c/o General Delivery Delivery, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609. DO NOT include the words "Acadia National Park" in the address.
Public Transportation. Greyhound Bus Service operates between Bangor and Bar Harbor during the summer; call 207-945-3000 for schedule. Commuter air service flies to Bar Harbor Airport, 10 miles from Bar Harbor. Downeast Transportation run a local bus service which connects Mount Desert Island towns; write PO Box 914, Ellsworth 04605 for a schedule. Local businesses operate bus tours to the park and scenic boat trips. Ellsworth, Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor have taxi service. The Bluenose Ferry sails between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia; write CN Marine Reservations, PO Box 250, North Sydney, Nova Scotia B2A 3M3 Canada or call 207-288-3395.
ENTRANCE FEES. $3 per individual, $5 per family, good for 1 week. Acadia, Golden Age and Golden Access passholders free.
CAMPING FEES. $8 to $20 per site per night; reservations highly recommended.
DIRECTIONS: From Ellsworth, follow Rt 102/198 south to Mount Desert Island. Turn left onto Rt 3 and follow the road to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on your right.