Tag Archives: visitation

Acadia during the pandemic: crowds, hiker rescues and no camping

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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.

Cadillac reservations start in August for fall trial run of parking system

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The pandemic has delayed openings at Acadia National Park and indefinitely postponed operation of shuttle buses, but leaders are forging ahead with plans for a trial run this fall of a parking reservation system for Cadillac Mountain and Ocean Drive, with people allowed to make online reservations in August. The dry run for parking at […]

Top 11 Acadia National Park events that defined the decade

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Eleven important Acadia National Park events shaped the decade at the Maine national park and left some lasting changes including new records in visits, the park’s 100th anniversary, a new superintendent, a presidential visit and a heightened awareness of climate change. Here are some key moments, happenings and trends that dominated Acadia National Park during […]

Traffic shuts Cadillac, other spots in Acadia National Park 105 times in 2019

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Traffic congestion forced the closure of the summit road to Cadillac Mountain 58 times in 2019 and the road to Bass Harbor Head Light 32 times, spotlighting the need for a reservation system to park at certain popular attractions in Acadia National Park. The reservation system is tentatively planned to start in 2021. According to […]

Acadia deluged with hiking accidents, traffic on busiest day ever over July 4 weekend

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The day after July 4 was hot and sunny and attracted so many people to Acadia National Park that it set a single day record for visits – and overwhelmed park staff with rescues of injured hikers and shutdowns of Cadillac summit and other areas because of heavy traffic. Among those rescued: A woman who suffered a heat stroke on Dorr South Ridge Trail and had to be airlifted by helicopter, and a man hiking down Cadillac West Face Trail who slid 40 feet and fell off a 15- to 20-foot cliff.

New center, buses, map aid Acadia National Park visitors this summer

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Benefits for Acadia National Park visitors this summer season: Hulls Cove Visitor Center reopens after $1.2M remodel; new colorful carriage road map names carriage road bridges and loop options; Island Explorer kicks off its 21st year of service today with 21 new propane-powered buses; and Route 3 one-way detour in Bar Harbor ends. A round-up of news you can use as you make plans for your next visit.

Car reservation system, extra fee approved for Acadia traffic control

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Acadia National Park is calling for some sweeping changes to relieve traffic congestion including approval of a timed reservation system at a fee of likely less than $10 for cars on Cadillac Mountain, the north lot of Jordan Pond and the Ocean Drive corridor. The plan also says that right lane parking on the Park […]

Cadillac Mountain road closed 54 times in 2018 by crowds in Acadia

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Acadia National Park rangers in 2018 closed the summit road to Cadillac Mountain to incoming vehicles 54 times because of traffic congestion, possibly accenting the need for a reservation system to park at the peak. The 54 closures at Cadillac occurred between June 26 and Oct. 24. The closures came as the number of visitors […]

End of federal shutdown comes in nick of time for Acadia National Park

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An agreement to end the partial federal government shutdown came just in time for visitors and year-round staff at Acadia National Park in Maine. While the park was kept open during the 35-day-long shutdown and the closure came at the slowest time of year for the park and had little economic effect on surrounding communities, almost […]

Acadia adds $284M to economic benefits of national parks, local businesses

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Acadia National Park last year pumped $284 million in jobs and business activities into the regional economy, according to an annual report on the economic benefits of national parks. Acadia National Park supported 4,163 full and part-time jobs in 2017, down slightly from 4,195 jobs in 2016, as businesses last year struggled to find help […]