• Granite mountains on islands along coast

    Acadia

    National Park Maine

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Park Loop Road opening

    May 17, 2013: The entire Park Loop Road and all other paved roads in the park open today. All dirt roads in the park, including the Seal Cove Road, will open on June 3.

  • Trail closures

    April 22, 2013: The Precipice, Orange and Black, Valley Cove, and Jordan Cliffs Trails are closed until further notice because of nesting peregrine falcons. All other trails in the park are open, whether accessible from the park or from state roads.

  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center

    May 17, 2013: The visitor center will open on May 19 and will be open 9-5 every day. All park passes are available there. There is an accessible entrance at the back of the building for those who have trouble climbing stairs.

Climbing

climbing

Safety

 
Climbers assume responsibility for personal safety. On some routes local climbers maintain fixed protection or rappel stations. As always, evaluate them before using. At Otter Cliffs, the park maintains fixed anchors on top that must be used instead of trees to belay several climbs. Evaluate these anchors as well, and notify the park immediately of safety concerns. Climbers at Great Head and Otter Cliff should know tides and weather forecasts; climbing at these areas is more difficult and dangerous at high tide or in heavy seas. Climb within your limits.

Emergency 911
 
scrambling

Guides

 

Instruction/Guiding
Climbing instructoin, guiding, and equipment are available locally. Check with area chambers of commerce.

Guidebooks

  • Jeff Butterfield; Acadia, A Climbers Guide
  • Pete Warner: Rock Climbing in Acadia National Park
  • John Harlan: East Coast Rock Climbs (some information on Acadia)

A copy of A Climbers Guide to Mount Desert Island by Geoffrey Childs (1979 - out of print) is available for review at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and local libraries.

 

Areas

 

Otter Cliff: 60 feet (18 m) sea cliffs, crack and face climbing, rappel access, routes up to 5.12
South Wall (Champlain): 3-pitch routes to 5.12, good corners and thin cracks
Central Slabs: 1-pitch routes, some good beginner routes, routes to 5.10
South Bubble: 1- to 3-pitch routes, some friction climbing, good beginner routes
Great Head: high-grade sea cliff climbing, rappel access, know tides and weather

Many other small areas are used infrequently. Good bouldering can be found along the ocean between Sand Beach and Otter Cliff, and near Blackwoods Campground.

 

Permit

 

To obtain a permit, fill out the application.

Did You Know?

A park ranger points out features of a tree to visitors during a ranger program.

From late May to early October, park rangers at Acadia National Park offer a variety of programs to suit every interest and activity level. Programs include walks, talks, hikes, narrated boat cruises, bike rides, and more. Check out the Beaver Log for a schedule of programs. More...