Acadia National Park Superintendent Kevin Schneider said that a trial run of a parking reservation program for the Sand Beach area caused confusion among many visitors and led to “unintended consequences” such as increased traffic congestion in some nearby residential areas. “I think that is part of the reason why we are holding off on […]
Acadia National Park’s test drive of a vehicle reservation system for the spectacular Ocean Drive and Sand Beach area caused so many problems last month – one town official called it a “nightmare” – that it’s being postponed to 2022 at the earliest. In the wake of the criticism, Acadia National Park Superintendent Kevin Schneider […]
A trial run of the Acadia National Park vehicle reservation system received mixed reactions from visitors, with some cheering the new requirement for reducing traffic congestion and making it easier to access Cadillac and Sand Beach and others criticizing it as too heavy-handed. Under the pilot, which started Oct.1 and ends Sunday, Oct. 18, vehicle […]
As many as 50 illegal spray-painted blazes marred Champlain North Ridge Trail this summer, and a host of similar off-color marks have been found elsewhere in Acadia National Park. Among other recent acts of vandalism taking away from the visitor experience and violating park rules: Painted rocks being hidden for others to find and share on social media; face masks and dog poop bags littering hiking trails; Bates-style cairns knocked over; and rocks randomly stacked.
Kerrie Molloy and John Candela visited Bar Harbor last month to unwind after working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic in New York, but the longtime nurses instead faced a new crisis in a horrifying Acadia hiking accident while descending Pemetic Mountain. Molloy suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung and fractured bones when […]
The Valley Cove Trail is set to soon reopen for a summer Acadia hiking season for the first time in five years, following an extensive rehabilitation that gives new life to the historically important trail along Somes Sound. The Acadia trails crew also did major work on Kurt Diederich’s Climb, Beachcroft Path, Seaside Path and around Bass Harbor Head Light, keeping the more than 155 miles of historic Acadia hiking trails in shape for the millions of visitors in coming years. Find out how your favorite trail has been improved, or learn about a new one you’ve yet to explore.
It’s almost like there’s no pandemic, judging by the latest news out of Acadia: Traffic closed the road to Cadillac, injured hikers needed to be rescued, and cars waited 20 minutes to get through the Sand Beach entrance station. And the park still plans a trial run of a new vehicle reservation system in October. But plans to open Blackwoods and Schoodic Woods on Aug. 1 are off the table, with all Acadia campgrounds not opening this year – all sure signs of the impact of COVID-19.
Do you have to wear a mask everytime you go out in public in Maine, whether to hike the trails of Acadia National Park or walk Main Street in Bar Harbor? Why are the park’s picnic areas at Thompson Island and Bear Brook closed? When will the park campgrounds open? Is the Island Explorer running? These and other FAQs answered in the latest installment of “A view from Bubble Rock,” to help plan your visit to Acadia National Park during the pandemic.
A leading business group says Bar Harbor faces a “catastrophic closing of businesses” and a tourism season that is “all but lost” after a spate of new lodging cancellations caused by the Maine quarantine order and other tough new restrictions on out-of-state visitors this summer. Joining the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in its criticism, the Bar Harbor Town Council also sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills, citing a 90 percent drop in business and town parking revenue. Acadia amid COVID-19: Another in a series
Acadia National Park opens the Park Loop Road to traffic today, Jordan Pond House offers takeout, and rangers wear face masks while helping visitors in open-air tents. But park passes must be purchased online and printed out ahead of time, as they won’t be on sale on-site until June 8. Carriage roads won’t open until June 5, but only for pedestrians. Acadia amid COVID-19: First in a series
