Last updated: 10/2/25, 5:45pm

Due to a lapse in federal appropriations, the government has shut down. The Department of Interior has issued an updated contingency plan, directing national parks, including Acadia, to remain mostly open, while operating with significantly reduced staff and visitor services.

The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain, but impacts on Acadia National Park, its staff, gateway communities, and visitors will be felt quickly.

Government Shutdown Implications for Acadia, Visitors, and Staff:

Visitor services:

Open/accessible to visitors:

• Park roads, including Park Loop Road, carriage roads, and trails (with possible exceptions) will be open.
• Cadillac Summit Road will reopen to motor vehicles through the reservation system beginning Oct. 3.
• Park campgrounds and most restrooms will be open and maintained.
• The fare-free Island Explorer bus system will continue to run.
• Facilities operated by concessionaires, including Jordan Pond House and Wildwood Stables, will continue to offer services.
• The Acadia Gateway Center, which is operated by the state, will be open and staffed by the Maine Tourism Association, but National Park Service staff will not be present.

Closed/not accessible to visitors:

• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Rockefeller Hall on the Schoodic Peninsula, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia will be closed.
• Ranger programs, family programming, school field trips, and outdoor education experiences will be canceled.

Staff:

• The majority of Acadia National Park Service staff will be furloughed, with exceptions made for a small number of staff deemed “necessary to protect life and property” and basic sanitation services, including law enforcement, fire safety, and custodial staff.
• The majority of staff, including those who continue to work in the park, will not be paid until the shutdown ends.

Volunteer programs:

• The Drop-In Stewardship volunteer program and Wild Gardens volunteer program will not operate during the shutdown.

Ongoing construction:

• Most construction projects within the park, including work on the Maintenance Building and the Harden Farm staff housing complex, will be permitted to continue during the shutdown.

Fee collection and revenue:

• Friends of Acadia estimates that Acadia National Park generated roughly $1.5M in fee revenue last October, one of the park’s busiest months. During the shutdown, fee collectors and visitor center staff, who usually aid visitors with park pass purchases, will be furloughed. This puts significant park revenue, needed for next year’s operations, at risk.

Implications for Our Community:

• The timing of the shutdown is particularly difficult, as fall foliage season is among Acadia’s busiest periods and a major driver of the regional economy. Last week, the National Park Service released new data showing visitors to Acadia spent an estimated $539 million in local gateway communities in 2024, supporting 5,300 local jobs and generating $745 million in total economic output for Downeast, Maine. Disruption to park operations will ripple through surrounding communities.

How You Can Help:

• Engage with policymaker: Contact your state’s congressional delegation to stress the importance of stable funding and staffing for the National Park Service. Urge policymakers to lift the hiring freeze and restore full staffing levels at national parks.
• Recreate responsibly: Plan ahead and prepare, pack out your trash, and be considerate of Acadia’s plants and wildlife, staff, and other visitors.
• Express appreciation: Thank essential National Park Service personnel for continuing to serve during this period.
• Support local businesses and organizations: Help keep our community vibrant by supporting local businesses and organizations through this challenging time.
• Share information about community resources: Several local organizations and food pantries are available to help furloughed federal workers and others impacted by the shutdown.
• Stay informed: Stay connected with Friends of Acadia for updates as the situation develops.

Thank you to everyone for helping support our park and our community!