National parks near Lowell, Massachusetts
Acadia National Park is the closest national park to Lowell, Massachusetts — 196 mi (315 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 5 hr 5 min behind the wheel.
Rocky Atlantic coast and forested hills on Mount Desert Island. Granite shoreline, carriage roads, and a few busy overlooks.
Acadia National Park is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Lowell gates the entrance itself, but 2 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Lowell has a population of about 110,699.
Acadia National Park
Thousand Islands National Park
La Mauricie National Park
Kejimkujik National Park
Fundy National Park
Rouge National Park
Best time to visit Acadia National Park. Getting to Acadia National Park. Camping at Acadia National Park. Permits for Acadia National Park. Timed entry and tours at Acadia National Park.
National parks near Lowell
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | 196 mi (315 km) | 5 hr 5 min | Best as a weekend |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 261 mi (420 km) | 6 hr 37 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| La Mauricie National Park | 299 mi (481 km) | 7 hr 32 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kejimkujik National Park | 329 mi (529 km) | 8 hr 14 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Fundy National Park | 376 mi (606 km) | 9 hr 21 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Rouge National Park | 408 mi (656 km) | 10 hr 6 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kouchibouguac National Park | 426 mi (686 km) | 10 hr 32 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | 454 mi (731 km) | 11 hr 12 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pituamkek National Park | 461 mi (742 km) | 11 hr 21 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Shenandoah National Park | 465 mi (749 km) | 11 hr 28 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Lowell
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Shenandoah National Park | Old Rag Mountain Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
Camping near Lowell
Within reach of Lowell, 8 campgrounds across 2 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 4 at Acadia National Park and 4 at Shenandoah National Park.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Acadia National Park is generally best May through October, with April and early November as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Planning a trip from Lowell
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Middlesex County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Lowell?
Acadia National Park. It is about 196 mi (315 km) from Lowell, roughly 5 hr 5 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Lowell?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Lowell?
10 parks are within reach of Lowell, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Lowell?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 2 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations at Acadia National Park and Old Rag Mountain Tickets at Shenandoah National Park. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Lowell?
Recreation.gov lists 8 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Lowell. They are spread across 2 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Lowell?
For Acadia National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.