Climbing Permits

A smiling person in a white helmet climbs a rocky cliff over water. A rope leads from the climber to a person on the left, with only legs and one hand visible.

Will Newton/Friends of Acadia

Permits are required for climbing Otter Cliffs, if:

  • you are climbing in a commercial or noncommercial organized group with 6 - 12 people.
  • you are climbing during the reservation season: the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day


Permits are not required if:

  • you are climbing in an area other than Otter Cliffs
  • your climbing group is unorganized (unaffiliated through business, school, church, club, etc)
  • your climbing group is 5 people or fewer.
  • you are climbing outside the reservation season


Two groups will be accomodated each day.

Group Size Limit

Groups must be 12 people or fewer, including any guides and instructors. The group size limit applies to all climbing groups using any park climbing areas at any time of the year. The purpose of this size limit is to reduce the effects of large groups on park resources and the climbing experience.

How to Get a Permit

  • Permits must be reserved before you arrive at Acadia.
  • Go to the Otter Cliffs Group Climbing page at www.recreation.gov.
  • Reservations are $6 per group
  • To protect your safety and Otter Cliffs, please take the time to review the Overview and Need to Know tabs in detail.
  • After completing your reservation purchase, you will recieve an email with a permit. Please print this permit and be prepared to present it to a park ranger.

Background

The 1997 Acadia National Park Climbing Management Plan recommended a reservation system for organized groups climbing at Otter Cliffs. The goal of the reservation system is to spread this group use out across the days of the summer to protect resources and provide a better experience for group and individual climbers.

Last updated: August 5, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Phone:

207 288-3338

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