Acadia National Park in Maine is making a big change to how visitors pay for entry. Starting April 15, the park will no longer accept cash at its entrance stations. Instead, guests must use credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments. Those who prefer cash can still buy passes from nearby third-party vendors—nine locations are available.
The park says this move will save time for staff. Right now, rangers spend over eight hours a day handling cash, even though it makes up less than 5% of sales. By going cashless, workers can focus more on helping visitors and maintaining the park. Entrance fees fund important projects, like trail repairs and campground upgrades.
Reactions from visitors are mixed. Some support the change, pointing out that many national parks already don’t take cash. Others question why small cash transactions take so much effort to process. A few worry about privacy, joking that “social credit scores” could control park access next.
Acadia isn’t the only park adjusting its policies. Across the U.S., national parks are reducing hours, closing campgrounds, and dealing with long entrance lines. For example, the Grand Canyon’s South entrance recently had 90-minute waits, prompting officials to suggest alternative routes.
- Before visiting Acadia, travelers should know their pass options:
- Standard Pass($20–$35 per vehicle)
- Annual Pass (good for repeat visits)
- America the Beautiful Pass (covers all national parks, with discounts for seniors)
A pass is required year-round, and from May to October, an extra online reservation is needed to drive up Cadillac Mountain.
While the cashless shift aims to streamline entry, not everyone is happy. Still, with most sales already digital, Acadia believes this is a step toward better service—and more time spent protecting the park’s stunning trails and forests.
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