Chiori’s Winter/Spring guidebook—please consult the house guide too!

If you come to hike in the winter, you will of course want to bring warm winter boots, but you may also need ice grippers for trails that have become icy. Some of these trails become nearly impassable without them, but with them, you can keep going! Some people might like to use poles. Also, depending on the weather, you may want snowshoes or ice skates! And the carriage trail is sometimes groomed for cross country skiing if the conditions are right!

It's always a good idea to have lots of layers--the weather changes here quite a bit and you never know what you might need. This is true at the top of Cadillac no matter what time of year, especially if you go up early morning or later in the day.

Carriage Roads Closed for “Mud Season” A 45-mile network of historic carriage roads across Acadia are closed until further notice for "Mud Season." 

Warmer weather and wet conditions soften the carriage roads and make them susceptible to damage. Walking, bicycling and riding horses in such conditions can cause ruts and potholes that channel water and exacerbate erosion. The NPS will reopen the carriage roads once the gravel surface dries out and becomes firm enough to prevent damage.

Starting March 1 until further notice, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, Valley Cove Trail and a portion of the Orange & Black Path will close to protect peregrine falcons from human disturbance or harassment during an annual nesting period. Learn more about decades of Peregine Falcon Recovery in Acadia on the following pages.

Although most of Park Loop Road is typically closed by Dec 1 each year, two sections remain open, Ocean Drive and Jordan Pond Road. Scenic areas of Acadia are also visible and accessible from public roads that travel through and along the park. 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.

Access to Seawall Limited Due to Storm Damage Due to recent storm damage, a short section of Seawall Road (Route 102A) at Seawall Pond is temporarily closed to traffic. Visitors may access Wonderland and Ship Harbor hiking trails from the west through Bass Harbor via Route 102A.

Storm Damage Significant A winter storm on Wed Jan 10 led to significant damage to facilities throughout the park, such as the Ocean Path. Please be aware of debris, loose rocks, and uneven footing. Unless noted otherwise, all park areas remain open at this time.