ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — The National Park Service is seeking public input on a proposal to triple the fee for timed-entry vehicle reservations for Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Summit Road from May through October.
The fee was $2 during the 18-day reservation trial period this past October. The reservation system is to be implemented on a permanent basis starting this spring.
Under the proposal, “the total fee for each vehicle reservation would be $6, with $4 allocated to NPS operational and capital costs and $2 to administrative costs for Recreation.gov, the online reservation service provider,” said a National Park Service press release.
The period for public comment on the proposal extends through Feb. 11. Comments may be submitted through the park service’s 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 Acadia 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 reservation system for Cadillac Mountain will be in effect between sunrise and sunset. Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry, but there is no required departure time.
The vehicle reservation fee for the Cadillac Summit Road is in addition to the park entrance fee. An entrance pass is required for entry to the park, while the vehicle reservation system provides for parking at the summit of Cadillac Mountain during peak use times.
The park service developed the vehicle reservation system to improve the visitor experience by reducing traffic and parking congestion and to protect park resources.
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