Acadia National Park officials will hold a public meeting to discuss possible fee increases in 2015.
The current park entrance fees have remained unchanged since 2004. In response to a service-wide effort to standardize entrance fees, the National Park Service has updated the standard entrance fee rate schedule. The proposed increases in park entrance fees will allow park managers to invest in the improvements necessary to provide the best possible park experience for its visitors. Additional revenue will also enable the park staff to enhance visitor services in preparation for Acadia’s centennial celebration in 2016.
Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or to holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access or Military Passes. These passes may be obtained at the Park.
Entrance Fee Type Current Proposed
Annual Pass $40 $50
7-day Vehicle Pass $20 $25
7-day Motorcycle Pass N/A $20
7-day Per Person Pass $5 $12
Similar to the park entrance fees, Acadia’s campground fees have not changed in over a decade. With the new Schoodic Woods Campground opening in the summer of 2015, the park completed a comparison of facilities, services, and rate structures to similar private and public campgrounds in the area. Using this same study, the park is proposing to increase the rates at Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds at this same time. Based on the comparable campgrounds in the vicinity of the Schoodic Peninsula and Mount Desert Island, the park arrived at the rates in the table below.
Camping Fee Type Current Proposed
Walk-in Tent Site $14 $22
Tent/Small RV Site $20 $30
RV with electric N/A $36
RV with water and electric N/A $40
Group $50 $60
“We certainly want to keep recreational use of the park affordable but we also have an obligation to keep our prices in line with surrounding campgrounds,” said Acadia National Park Superintendent Sheridan Steele. “Eighty percent of the money collected from entrance and camping fees stays right here in Acadia to improve facilities, infrastructure, and visitor services.”
Acadia National Park is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. The NPS Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office conducted a study in 2012 showing more than 2.43 million park visitors contributed over $200 million in economic benefit for the communities surrounding the park. This spending supported 3,089 jobs in the local area related to tourism.
“We invite the public to share their thoughts and comments at the public meeting or to send their comments to us if they can’t attend,” stated Superintendent Steele. A public meeting will be held on the second floor of the Bar Harbor Town Office at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12th.
Comments can also be submitted by email to acadia_information@nps.gov, or to the address below:
Superintendent Sheridan Steele
ATTN: Fee Change Comments
Acadia National Park
P.O. Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Comments submitted by mail or email are welcome at any time; however, to be part of the evaluation for the proposal for the fee change they should be received no later than December 8, 2014. If you have any questions about the proposed changes to the entrance fee structure or campground fees, please contact Sarah Milligan, Acting Fee Business Manager, at (207) 288-8781.
