Editor's note: This corrects that the fee will not required of commercial tour operators that hold a valid Commercial Use Authorization until 2022.
Driving to the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine can leave you dizzy, what with all the turns, and once you arrive you need to find a parking space, which can be a challenge during the summer months. To ensure you have a space, park officials are proposing a reservation fee to drive to the summit.
The proposal, which calls for a $6 fee ($4 to the park, $2 to recreation.gov), is open for public comment through February 11. Comments should be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.
“The vehicle reservation fee is key to supporting the park staff and infrastructure needed to operate the system safely and efficiently,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. “Visitors accessing the Cadillac Summit Road during peak use times will benefit from having assurance that they will find parking and have a more enjoyable experience.”
The vehicle reservation fee will not be required of commercial tour operators that hold a valid Commercial Use Authorization until 2022, but they will be required to have a vehicle reservation and pay a $2 administrative fee for each reservation in 2021.
The vehicle reservation fee for the Cadillac Summit Road is in addition to the $30 park entrance fee. A valid park entrance pass is required for entry to the park while the vehicle reservation system allocates limited parking space on the Cadillac Summit Road during peak use times to ensure visitors have a safe, enjoyable visit, a park release said.
The NPS developed the vehicle reservation system to improve the visitor experience, and protect park resources and values. The vehicle reservation system is a key management action of the park's Transportation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which was approved in May 2019 following a four-year planning process that included extensive public involvement.
After piloting the vehicle reservation system at the Cadillac Summit Road and Sand Beach Entrance in October 2020, the NPS decided to implement vehicle reservations for the Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset from May to October in 2021. Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry, but do not require a departure time.
Pedestrians and bicyclists do not require a reservation to access the Cadillac Summit Road. For more information on the vehicle reservation system, visit this page on the park's website.
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Comments
Pretty soon there will be a Fastpass+ option when buying your entrance ticket.........
No! No! No! An NP admission fee but NOT an additional charge to drive to the summit.
We have lifetime passes to the national parks. Would this be an extra charge?
I do not support this recommendation. Muir Woods works on this type of reservation system. I do support a shuttle system rather than a reservation car parking system Bubba turn it down so that adequate parking can be developed elsewhere in the park. The entrance fee of $30 is enough and comparative two other Grand National Parks.
I'm generally in favor of increased fees, so long as revenues are designated for park needs--infrastructure, maintenance and repair, personnel. May have the desirable consequence of regulating the park load, as well. Cheers.
How about a shuttle service instead??
The right move to make and is in line with what the park has been stating for years. Smart move and nice to see the NPS being proactive. If you want or feel the need to take your own car up there you need to plan ahead - just like everything else in life.
This proposed fee would be in addition to entrance fees, even if you have an annual or lifetime pass to the parks.
I do not feel that this is necessary. You already have to pay a fee to visit the park, then they want to add another fee to drive to something that is a highlight of the park. It is starting a trend to piece meal sites in our National Parks. Just not a good idea!
Elaine et. al, be sure to leave your comments at this site. Traveler is not associated with the Park Service, and so what you post here isn't considered by the agency.
The NPS continues on its path of pricing out the people it is meant to serve.
Please No - don't deny people who could not afford to pay that extra fee to not be able to enjoy the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. I would support a shuttle system like at Zion and Grand Canyon (Kermit's Rest drive).
Well it's in place.
After piloting the vehicle reservation system at the Cadillac Summit Road and Sand Beach Entrance in October 2020, the NPS decided to implement vehicle reservations for the Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset from May to October in 2021. Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry, but do not require a departure time. Pedestrians and bicyclists do not require a reservation to access the Cadillac Summit Road. For more information about the vehicle reservation system, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm
The expanded amenity fee is authorized by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6802) and requires that the public have opportunities to participate in the development of, or change to, a recreation fee established under the Act.