Winter in Acadia National Park

It's Cold... But Breathtakingly Beautiful

Winter in Acadia National Park may just be the most beautiful season after the green of summer. Acadia in winter also offers many fun outdoor activities.

Many people think you can't visit Acadia in the wintertime, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is true, however, that if you expect a resort experience, you'll probably be disappointed. Many of the facilities, both within the Park and outside of it, will be closed. Restaurant and shopping choices are extremely limited. And the Park Loop Road itself is mostly closed.

But you can still enjoy winter in Acadia, if you put your mind to it and go there with eyes wide open, so to speak.

Winter Weather in Acadia

Expect windy, cold, wet conditions. Winter in Acadia and surrounding areas can include up to 60 inches of snow each year. If you hike, snowshoe or cross country ski up to the peaks, be sure to dress extra warm, as the winds that are mildly chilly during the summer months will be downright frigid in winter. Prepare for hypothermia.

Getting There & Getting Around During the Winter

Travel anywhere in New England during the winter can be somewhat dicey. You just never know when a winter storm or Nor'easter will blow in and take out the roads – even the interstates – as well as the local power.

Once you get to the Acadia area, be forewarned that shuttle buses and the like may not be operating, or at least not as often, and may not stop everywhere they do in the summer. So, you may need to rent a car or look for other alternatives.

The Park Loop Road in Acadia usually closes sometime around the 1st of December and doesn't open again until mid-spring. You can still do the coastal one-way drive, by driving 1 mile on Route 3 south of Bar Harbor and taking the Schooner Head Road, which brings you into the Park right by Sand Beach.

That'll take you for about 2 miles to Otter Cliff Road, where you'll need to exit the Park once again. What's great about the winter is that it is when Thunder Hole is at its best, with wild, raging seas crashing into the hollow that gives Thunder Hole its reputation!

If you want to get into the Park's interior, you can take the Jordan Pond Road, just north of the town of Seal Harbor. This road joins the Park Loop Road, which is plowed to the south end of Jordan Road.

Sargent Drive along Somes Sound to Northeast Harbor and Route 102A to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse are also open all year, though obviously road conditions may not be great during inclement weather, so plan with care.

If you have a snowmobile, you can use it almost anywhere on the park roads, provided you follow the rules outlined here. And here are maps that show snowmobile routes on the island:

• East side of the island
• West side of the island

Where to Stay Near Acadia in Winter

If you like winter camping (brr), Blackwoods Campground in the Park offers a few sites for winter camping, with permits only. Be forewarned:

• You have to hike in from the Route 3 entrance
• There is only hand pumped water and a portable toilet
• Trash must be carried out
• Weather may be extreme

The good news is, camping is free during the winter! You can get more information from the NPS on winter camping in Acadia here.

If camping's not your deal, you'd be wise to call ahead to various hotels, motels, and B&Bs in the Bar Harbor area; many are closed for the winter season. You will find a few cater to winter visitors, however.

Activities During Winter in Acadia

Acadia National Park does offer quite a few winter activities and sports, especially once snow blankets the ground, carriage roads, and trails throughout the Park.

There's not much open in Bar Harbor this time of year, so chances are you've come to Acadia to participate in the many outdoor sports that are available in this beautiful area.

Winter hiking can be fun... but also treacherous, as trails are not cleaned and may contain deep drifts, ice falls, and other hazards. Dress appropriately and remember it gets dark early in the forest and hills during the winter months. One thing that can make hiking easier during winter in Acadia is wearing snowshoes. If you snowshoe, just be aware not to step in any groomed cross country ski tracks, especially on the carriage roads.

The National Park Service offers some excellent winter hiking tips; I encourage you to read them if you plan to hike in Acadia in winter.

There is no downhill skiing resort in Acadia, but you can cross country ski on the 45 miles of carriage roads in the park. Once there is 4 inches of snow, the trails may even be groomed for you! You can also ski on the unplowed park roads, but watch out for snowmobiles, with whom you must share the roads.

You can also download this winter use map (PDF) from the NPS to see where you can ski, etc.

Other More Extreme Winter Acadia Sports

You can even do some more unusual or extreme sports during winter in Acadia, if you like. Sports like dog sledding (no more than 4 dogs) and ice fishing on Jordan Pond are options for those interested.

But the one I found most intriguing when researching this page is a sport called "skijoring." Ever heard of it? I sure hadn't... According to Wikipedia, skijoring is cross country skiing while being pulled by 1 to 3 dogs using a special harness.

Isn't that wild? Acadia NPS has strict rules for skijoring in the park; you can't just tie a rope to your dog's collar and yell, "Mush!" If you follow the rules, though, you can go on any of the park roads or fire roads. Fun, fun!

Acadia's winter park rangers maintain a winter blog too, that can be useful in understandimg what it's like to be in Acadia during the winter.

So, I hope you see by now that winter in Acadia National Park has the potential to be an awesome experience. I know I've always wanted to try it out, loving snow and winter sports the way I do. Someday...

Photo: Todd Edgar/NPS
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