The Acadia Parking Cheat Sheet
A quick guide to avoiding the worst parking headaches in Acadia National Park
First: The Two Biggest Mistakes Visitors Make
Arriving after 10 AM
Driving directly to the most Instagram-famous spots
If you avoid those two mistakes, your day on Mount Desert Island and in Acadia National Park gets dramatically easier.
Best Arrival Times for Popular Spots
Best Sort Of Hidden Parking Lots
These fill a bit more slowly than the bigger attractions.
• Ship Harbor Trail
• Great Head Trail
• Seawall Picnic Area
They are excellent starting points for exploring with less crowds.
When to Use the Shuttle (whenever possible, honestly):
But the free Island Explorer is your best option when:
• Visiting Sand Beach after 9 AM
• Going to Jordan Pond for lunch
• Exploring the Park Loop Road or going up Cadillac Mountain
Best Shuttle Parking Lots
• Hulls Cove Visitor Center
• Trenton Acadia Gateway Center (this is off the island a bit, but a hub)
Cadillac Mountain Reservations (Simple Version)
To drive up Cadillac Mountain in your own vehicle, you must reserve a time slot.
Reservations are released online through the National Park Service.
Two release times:
• 90 days in advance
• 2 days in advance at 10 AM
Tip: The 2-day release is easier to get.
Local Trick
Instead of heading to the crowded summit, try sunset at:
• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
• Otter Cliff
• Schoodic Point
You often get better views and far fewer people or you can support local resident Ellen Finn who has started Cadillac Mountain Summit Shuttle. She’s wonderful.
I think the Bubble Pond parking area is closed while the Island Explorer is running? It's probably not a great backup, though Bubble Pond itself is underrated.