Entrance fees could be going up at Acadia National Park.

Seemingly everything is going up in cost. That could include entrance fees at Acadia National Park. The National Park Service is proposing an increase to entrance fees at Maine's only national park. The proposal suggests an increase by $5 for most entrance fees, and a $15 increase to annual park passes.

Proposed Acadia National Park Fees:

  • Private Vehicle (7-day) - From $30 to $35
  • Motorcycle (7-day) - From $25 to $30
  • Individual (7-day) - From $15 to $20
  • Annual - From $55 to $70

A 30-day public comment period is open from November 30, through December 29. Comments must be submitted online through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.

The proposed entrance fee increase does not affect the $6 vehicle reservation fee for Cadillac Summit Road. Reservations are required from May, through October, in addition to the entrance fee. The entrance fee increase would not change commercial entrance fees for businesses operating in the park.

According to the National Park Service, "The funds are expended on projects and activities that further the mission and purpose of the NPS, with an emphasis on deferred maintenance." Past projects in the park that were funded from entrance fees include the installation of a bog walk on the Upper Hadlock Pond and Jordan Pond trails, rehabilitation of Great Head and Parkman Mountains trails, and replacement of trail bridges throughout the park's hiking trail system. Fees fund the ongoing maintenance to the historic carriage roads, repairs to campground restrooms, and replacement of damaged park road gates.

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In addition, entrance fees fund 60-70% of the annual operation of the Island Explorer bus system. The NPS also says fees will provide increased custodial services in response to increasing park visitation.

The new entrance fee would become effective starting in 2023, and required year-round.

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