Last updated: June 23, 2026
Place
Acadia Gateway Center Accessibility Information
NPS Photo by Robyn Smyth
Quick Facts
Location:
Gateway Center Dr, Trenton, ME 04605
Significance:
Visitor Travel Information
Amenities
26 listed
Accessible Sites, Braille, Bus/Shuttle Stop, Entrance Passes for Sale, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Park Newspaper Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Internet/WiFi Available, Junior Ranger Activity, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Permits Issued, Public Transit, Recycling, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Restroom - Family, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible
The Gateway to Acadia
The Acadia Gateway Center (AGC) is located on Route 3 in Trenton, ME, three miles north of Mount Desert Island. The AGC is owned by the State of Maine and operated by the Maine Department of Transportation in partnership with the National Park Service, Downeast Transportation Inc., and Maine Office of Tourism.Visitor facilities include an Island Explorer bus stop, day-use parking, and an 11,000-square-foot welcome center with park and tourism information, Park Store, waiting area, and restrooms.
Different from the often tightly crowded Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the Acadia Gateway Center has wide space to navigate between desks and is wheelchair accessible through the main entrance.
Parking Lot
The Acadia Gateway Center is an intermodal transit and welcome center, that is wheelchair accessible. Drivers will arrive and find a parking lot with seven accessible parking spots at the end nearest the building. These spots are distinguished by a small sign on a wooden post and paint on the ground. All accessible parking spaces are about 150 paces from the main entrance of the Gateway Center.One feature of AGC is visitors’ ability to leave their personal vehicles in the parking area and utilize the fare-free Island Explorer bus system to explore Acadia National Park. The bus departs every 30 minutes from the gateway center, there are bus schedules online or in person at the Island Explorer information desk.
- Buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Please see bus driver for assistance.
What's Inside
Visitors should follow the courtyard path and utilize the tri-sided displays along the way, providing information about offerings around Downeast Maine and Acadia National Park. The left entrance doors have an auto-open plate to assist in opening the doors.Once inside visitors will arrive at the Maine Office of Tourism desk. On the right of this desk is the Acadia National Park information and fees-pass desk, and the national park gift store. On the left is a variety of informational pamphlets and a seating area to wait for the Island Explorer Bus.
Before entering the second set of entry doors, accessible restrooms are available to the right. A water bottle filling station, trash receptacles, and an automated Acadia Parking Pass dispenser are all available outside.
Braille copies of essential Acadia messaging and the park brochure are available at the ranger desk, and all contact stations throughout the park.
Ranger Talks
During the summer and fall seasons Park Rangers give informational programs about Acadia National Park on the back porch. These programs will give visitors a good jumping off point of information to start their Acadia adventure.Visitors can ask Rangers questions about Acadia's accessible offerings at the park information desk.