Winter Activities in Acadia

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy at Acadia during the winter, especially when the area gets a significant snowfall.

View or download the Winter in Acadia brochure (pdf - 427kb) for an Acadia winter map and information.

Visit Operating Hours and Seasons to see which facilities are open in the winter and Temporary Closures to check on current weather, road, and facility updates.

DRHunt/NPS

A western view of Somes Sound along Sargeant Drive.

Scenic Winter Drives - Although most of the Park Loop Road is closed in winter, two sections remain open, Ocean Drive and the 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.

The scenic, one-way Ocean Drive portion of the Park Loop Road is accessible from Schooner Head Road, one mile south of downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3, and stretches for two miles 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.

The Jordan Pond Road is two-way and accessible just north of the town of Seal Harbor. Follow the Jordan Pond Road to the Park Loop Road, which is plowed to the Jordan Pond House Restaurant parking areas.

Sargeant Drive to Northeast Harbor and Route 102A to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse also offer scenic winter views of Acadia and Mount Desert Island.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing - Forty-five miles 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. Visit Cross-Country Skiing for skiing and trail grooming information for the carriage roads. Please do not snowshoe or allow dogs to walk in cross-country ski tracks. Dogs must be on a leash six feet or shorter.

You may also cross-country ski or snowshoe on unplowed park roads. Be careful, as snowmobiles are also 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 obscured by snow.

Ski equipment and rentals are available in local communities; chambers of commerce can provide the names of outfitters.

Snowmobiling - Snowmobile travel is allowed on the 27-mile Park Loop Road system (including the road up Cadillac Mountain) and most fire roads. Only two miles of carriage roads are open to snowmobilers as connector trails (the east side of Eagle Lake and short portion near the Wildwood Stables). Maps of the east side (jpg - 190kb) and west side (jpg - 165kb) of Mount Desert Island show snowmobile routes and parking.

Snowmobile regulations include:

• All Maine state snowmobile laws are enforced in the park. Maine registration is required.
• Snowmobiles are not allowed on the carriage roads, except for the east side of Eagle Lake to make the connection to the Park Loop Road at Bubble Pond.
• Snowmobiles are not permitted off-road or on any hiking trails.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph on the Park Loop Road and 25 mph on all unpaved roads (including the one section of the carriage roads where they are permitted).
• Yield to anyone not on a snowmobile (skiers, snowshoers, and hikers).
• Turn on your white headlight and red taillight 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and whenever visibility is less than 500 feet.
• Towing people on sleds or skis in prohibited.
• It is illegal to operate snowmobiles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Drivers must be at least 14 years old to operate snowmobiles in the park.
• Anyone under 18 years old must wear approved protective headgear.

Snowmobilers are encouraged to utilize the Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot to access the winter snowmobile routes.

Current snowmobile conditions as of 1/27/12: Heavy rain has created slushy conditions. Use extreme caution!

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 Details for more information.

Winter Camping - From December 1 to March 31, a limited number of campsites at Blackwoods Campground are available for primitive camping only. During this time campers must first obtain a camping permit from the dispatch office (open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily) at park headquarters on Route 233 west of Bar Harbor.

Facilities are limited to a hand pump for water and a portable toilet. The campground entrance road is closed to automobiles during this time; campers are required to hike in from the campground entrance on Route 3. Campers must pack out all trash. Fee: Free.

Campers must be prepared for extreme weather conditions and must be self sufficient. For more information, visit the Winter Camping page.

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:

• Dog sleds may be pulled by no more than four dogs, with a combined tow and tug line of not more than 12 feet. Sleds must be equipped with a braking system, and in the winter, with one snow hook.
• Skijorers must utilize a commercially manufactured skijor belt with quick release and tugline. The tugline should be equipped with a built-in shock cord, and may not exceed a combined length of 10 feet. Skijorers may use up to two dogs, which must be harnessed with either an "X" or "H" harness. A simple dog collar is not considered a harness.