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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.
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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.
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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.
Winter Activities
A cross-country skier moves along a snow-covered carriage road.
NPS/Todd Edgar
For more information, download the Winter in Acadia brochure. Visiting Operating Hours and Seasons to see what facilities are open in winter and Temporary Closures to check on current weather, road, and facility updates.
Scenic Drives Although most of Park Loop Road is closed in winter, two sections remain open, Oean Drive and Jordan Pond Road. Scenic areas of Acadia are also visible and accessible from public roads that travel through and along the park. Visit Temporary Closures for updates on current road conditions and closures. Ocean Drive: scenic, one-way portion of Park Loop Road is accessible from Schooner Head Road, one-mile (1.6 km) south of downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3, and stretches for 2 miles (3.2 km) along the coast. Stay in the right lane, as snowmobiles are permitted to use the unplowed left lane. Exit Ocean Drive via Otter Cliff Road to Route 3. Jordan Pond Road: two-way and accessible just north of Seal Harbor. Follow the Jordan Pond Road to Park Loop Raod, which is plowed to the Jordon Pond House Restaurant parking areas. Sargeant Drive to Northeast Harbor and Route 102A to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse also offer scenic winter views of Acadia and Mount Desert Island.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Forty-five miles (72 km) of carriage roads in the park offer the perfect setting for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Ski tracks are sometimes laid down by volunteers on sections of the carriage roads when snowfall exceeds four inches (10 cm); nearly 32 miles (51 km) are designated for grooming when conditions and time permit. For the grooming status of these areas see the table below. The Carriage Road User's Map can help you find your way on the carriage roads. You may also cross-country ski on unplowed park roads. Be careful, as snowmobiles are permitted to use most of these unplowed park roads. Skiing on hiking trails is not recommended because of the uneven and steep nature of trails, ice falls blocking the path, and trail routes obscurred by snow. Please do not snowshoe or allow dogs to walk in cross-country ski tracks. Ski equipment and rentals are available in local communities. Grooming March 2, 2013: Snow mixed with rain the last few days with little accumulation. Ski conditions are poor. You may encounter bare spots, icy spots and slush in many places. Please use caution!
Snowmobiling Snowmobile travel is allowed on the 27-mile (43 km) Park Loop Road system (including the road up Cadillac Mountain) and most fire roads. Maps of the east side and west side show snowmobile routes and parking. Snowmobile regulations include:
Snowmobilers are encouraged to utilize the Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot to access the winter snowmobile routes. Snowmobile rental is not available on Mount Desert Island.
Winter Hiking Acadia's trails become icy and/or snowpacked in winter. Be prepared for unfavorable conditions and early darkness. If you are considering hiking in Acadia during the winter months, be sure to follow these winter hiking guidelines.
Ice Fishing Ice fishing is a popular activity in Acadia when weather conditions permit. See Fishing for more information.
Winter Camping From December through March, a limited number of campsites at Blackwoods Campground are available for primitive camping only. For more information, click here.
Dog Sledding and Skijoring With the exception of the park's carriage roads, the use of dog sleds, dog carts, and skijoring with dogs is permitted on all closed motor roads and fire roads under the following conditions.
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Did You Know?
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States. During certain times of the year, it is the first place in the U.S. to see sunrise.