Visitors make their way to see Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park. (Photo by Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia)

BAR HARBOR, MAINE – The National Park Service is expecting high visitation at Acadia National Park over Independence Day weekend. Visitors should plan their trip and expect long lines and wait times, traffic congestion and limited parking at the park’s most popular destinations.

Visitors should arrive with a plan and a back-up plan in case parking is unavailable. Go to nps.gov/Acadia to learn about places to go and things to do in the park before you arrive. Download the NPS App to help guide your visit to Acadia and select “save this park for offline use.” Park only in designated parking spaces. Parking illegally is unsafe and adds to the traffic congestion.

Leave your car parked at your place of lodging and ride the fare-free Island Explorer bus, which connects the park with the surrounding communities on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula. Download the myStop app (Apple Store or Google Play) to view real-time bus locations and next available buses.

Visitors 16 and older are required to have a park entrance pass, which can be purchased online at Recreation.gov or in person at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Vehicles must display a  park entrance pass through the windshield. Entrance fees help enhance the visitor experience and protect resources at Acadia National Park.

Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road through October 22 and must be purchased online at Recreation.gov before arriving. Print or download the ticket with the QR code for validation. Reservations are not available for purchase in person. Vehicle reservations are not required for other locations in the park or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bicycle or taxi.

Camping reservations are required for park campgrounds and can be purchased on Recreation.gov. Same day or walk-up reservations are not available. Backcountry camping, campfires and overnight parking are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds. Fireworks are prohibited in the park.

Hikers should know the difficulty of the park’s trails and select those that match their abilities (many of Acadia’s hikes are more challenging than they seem). Carry a detailed trail map with topography and don’t rely on cell connectivity for trail navigation. Seventy percent of injuries to hikers in Acadia are due to slips, trips and falls. Wear sturdy footwear and beware of loose gravel, slippery rock, steep climbs and uneven surfaces.

Depending on CDC guidelines and the COVID-19 community level in Hancock County, masks may be required to enter park buildings, including the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, regardless of vaccination status.

Want more tips on visiting Acadia National Park? Check out the Top 10 Tips for Your Visit to Acadia National Park.