Shutdown Leaves Acadia Open to Visitors but Without Many Staff and Visitor Programs
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—As the country continues to lack an agreed upon plan to fund federal operations, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Wednesday afternoon via a press release that Acadia National Park will remain mostly accessible to visitors despite the ongoing government shutdown. However, most of the staff at the park will be furloughed, according to Friends of Acadia.
According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to be furloughed means, ““placing of an employee in a temporary nonduty, non-pay status because of lack of work or funds, or other non-disciplinary reasons.”
Friends of Acadia’s website writes that the timing is difficult.
“Fall foliage season is among Acadia’s busiest periods and a major driver of the regional economy,” the organization wrote. “Disruption to park operations will ripple through surrounding communities.”
The park was not staffing the Hulls Cove visitor center nor the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton. Island Explorer busses were still serving visitors and locals. It is run by Downeast Transportation, not the Park. Cadillac Mountain’s reservation system and the Park Loop Road were also open, Wednesday. The mountain road to the summit will likely be closed for the length of the government shutdown.
“The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service (NPS) confirmed that essential visitor services at Acadia will continue, avoiding the significant disruptions that occurred during previous federal shutdowns. This update comes as the Park prepares for its busy autumn season following the highest summer attendance in its history,” the release reads.
Essential services is not all services, but the park, which generates millions in revenue will remain open to visitors. Recently the park hosted approximately 4 million visits annually.
“I am pleased that Acadia will remain open. Shutting down the Park during peak season would have caused significant economic harm in the region, while depriving individuals and families of the opportunity of visiting this treasured destination,” Senator Collins said. “Although Acadia remains open, this unnecessary government shutdown is deeply unfair to the Park’s furloughed workers and their families. I will continue to work to ensure the Park remains accessible and safe, and that government funding resumes as quickly as possible.”
Friends of Acadia listed impacts on its website, which include:
”Visitor services:
“Open/accessible to visitors:
Park roads, including Park Loop Road, carriage roads, and trails (with possible exceptions) will be open.
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 Maine Department of Transportation, will remain open, 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.
Cadillac Summit Road will be closed to motor vehicles for the duration of the shutdown.
Ranger programs, family programming, school field trips, and outdoor education experiences will be canceled.
The nonprofit group is meant “to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship” of Acadia.
“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,” It reports on its website. “The majority of staff, including those who continue to work in the park, will not be paid until the shutdown ends.”
Volunteer programs will be cancelled during the shut down. Construction projects will continue, Friends of Acadia wrote.
“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,” it reports.
The Park itself has updated its website to read, “National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable. For more information, please visit: doi.gov/shutdown.”
That Department of Interior page says, “Because of the federal government shutdown, www.doi.gov is not being updated and will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. For more information please visit: https://www.doi.gov/shutdown” and lists contingency plans.
“Senator Collins and her staff have been in close contact with Interior and NPS officials, emphasizing the severe economic harm a closure of Acadia would cause for the surrounding community, small businesses, and workers that depend on the Park,” the press release from Senator Collins’ office reads. “In prior shutdowns, the closure of Acadia resulted in furloughed employees, lost revenue for local businesses, and severely diminished access to one of Maine’s most cherished natural resources.”
The National Park Service’s September 2025 Contingency Plan stated that the park will still have law enforcement and emergency response; border and coastal protection and surveillance; fire suppression, and protection of federal property (including research property) that is part of the National Park System.
Last week, the National Park Service released a report on visitor spending in communities close to parks in 2024. The report stated Acadia National Park region, that in 2024, “park visitors spent an estimated $539 million in local gateway regions while visiting Acadia National Park. These expenditures supported a total of 5,300 jobs, $243 million in labor income, $460 million in value added, and $745 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Acadia National Park.”
October is traditionally a busy month for the park generating approximately 500,000 visits annually since 2020.
Governor Janet Mills also issued a statement, Wednesday.
“This type of dysfunction is exactly what Maine people can’t stand about Washington -- and that’s because here in Maine, unlike in Washington, we balance our books, pay our bills, and meet our obligations. It’s entirely irresponsible that the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress have shut down the federal government simply because they don’t want people across Maine and America to have access to health care and are unwilling to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing further. Now, in addition to denying people vital care, Republicans are pushing our economy closer to the brink, putting critical services at risk, and requiring TSA workers, prison guards and members of the military to work without pay. I do not consider health care to be ‘an insane policy demand,’ as some have said. This is not complicated: people want access to affordable health care and they want a government that works. Maine people deserve both, and Republicans should stop standing in the way,” Governor Mills said.
Included in that release, it says, “In September, Governor Mills warned the Maine Congressional Delegation that failure to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credit could significantly drive up the costs of health care for tens of thousands of Maine people.”
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) also said on Wednesday, “The government shutdown will leave our parks understaffed and vulnerable, putting our most cherished places and millions of visitors at risk.
“Under the Trump administration’s contingency plan for the National Park Service, thousands of park staff are now furloughed without pay, while many of our 433 national parks remain at least partially open and without staff to protect them. Even amid the shutdown, reports indicate the administration is pressing ahead with massive staff cuts that would decimate the Park Service’s ability to protect parks.
FRIENDS OF ACADIA’S LIST OF 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.
THE BAR HARBOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S LIST OF HOW YOU CAN HELP
A government shutdown means many federal employees will be furloughed and won’t receive a paycheck, and this includes the dedicated staff at Acadia National Park.
In the past, many organizations and individuals have asked how they can help support federal employees during these challenging times. We’ve compiled a list of ways you and can provide assistance:
Ways to Offer Support
Offer Discounts: Businesses can provide specific discounts for federal employees or offer general discounts that furloughed staff can take advantage of.
Organize Community Events: Consider organizing community benefit events or potlucks to foster support and provide a social outlet.
Support Food Security Efforts: Donate to or volunteer at your local food pantry or nonprofits addressing food insecurity. Furloughed federal employees who are facing food insecurity can access these vital resources.