Acadia National Park Offers First Car-Free Morning

The National Park Service will close Park Loop Road to private vehicles from midnight to noon on Saturday, May 16th to encourage non motorized forms of travel like walking, biking, skateboarding, or inline skating. 

Ever imagined what it would be like to experience all that Acadia has to offer, without having to watch for the vehicles driving around the park? Now is your chance! The park will offer 2 experimental days where the park will be vehicle free in the mornings. This Saturday will be the first day and National Public Lands Day, September 26th. Both days will waive fee, this Saturday fees will be waived in the morning and the full day will be free in September.

Those looking to enjoy car-free days are encouraged to use public transportation to get to the park. The Island Explorer will be allowed into the park for drop offs on car-free days and is a fare-free option.

The National Park Service will also evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of car-free mornings to help inform the development of a transportation plan for Acadia National Park.The transportation plan will determine how best to provide safe and efficient transportation and a variety of high quality experiences to visitors within Acadia National Park while ensuring the protection of park resources and values. The plan will comprehensively examine several management options to improve safety on park roads and reduce crowding and congestion at key visitor destinations and high volume travel areas.

The sections of Park Loop Road closed to private vehicles will include the Cadillac Summit Road, the road between the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and Jordan Pond, and the entire one-way section.

For more details on car-free days visit Acadia's website.