You're going to need a reservation to drive in Acadia National Park
Peak season for visiting national parks in the U.S. will be here before you know it, and we know many of you are counting down the days. And you should. They're some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and ideal destinations for a summer vacation.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
If Acadia National Park in Maine is on your list, you'll want to pay close attention. The park is going to introduce a timed entry reservation system to combat some of the congestion, Outside reports. The hope is that it will lead to a safer, more enjoyable experience for visitors.
Back in 2018, Acadia introduced a long-term transportation plan to clear up traffic and gridlock for visitors -- and this is just the latest development.
"This plan is a blueprint for everyone's future so that we can sustainably accommodate future increases in visitation and still provide a high-quality experience," said Christie Anastasia, a public affairs specialist for Acadia, according to Outside.
The new reservation system will begin testing in October, but it won't go into effect for visitors until next summer.
So, if you're visiting Acadia in 2021 or later, you'll need to make reservations for the ride up Cadillac Mountain, the drive along scenic Ocean Drive parking in Jordan Pond. It's not yet clear what it will cost, but visitors should expect to pay an additional fee on top of the $30 park entrance. This rule won't apply to pedestrians or cyclists.
The exact timeframe for testing in October hasn't been set yet, so you'll want to keep an eye on Acadia's website if you're planning on visiting during the busy fall-foliage-viewing season. Officials are expecting the test to last for two or three weeks.
When it becomes official, reservations will be available between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, with the exception of Cadillac Mountain. Because the summit is so popular — especially at sunrise and sunset — it will have different rules, although those details are still being finalized. There won't be any restrictions on the amount of time you can stay there, though there will be a window of time during which you're allowed to park your car.
Related: 18 national parks to visit on a cross-country road trip.
Acadia is following in the footsteps of other national parks, such as Haleakala National Park in Hawaii, which has a similar timed-entry reservation system. Similarly, Alaska's Denali National Park has a road lottery, and Yosemite announced a parking reservation system back in 2016. If you're traveling to Muir Woods National Park, you'll have to reserve a permit before driving into the park altogether.
Want to get the most value out of a trip to Acadia? Grab an $80 annual national park pass, rather than pay the $30 entry fee, and be sure to visit at least a few more parks. Travelers can also explore more of Acadia on foot. You might need to leave camp between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. to see the first sunrise from the highest point on the North Atlantic coast, but there's no better reward for an early morning hike. Plus, that way, you won't have to worry about paying for a reservation to drive up and park at the summit.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.