Coast or Jordan Pond
Two winter approaches: Schooner Head Road to Otter Cliff Road, and Jordan Pond Road from Seal Harbor. Park roads are plowed only in daylight.
Get oriented for winter
Two maintained road stretches give access to the coast and Jordan Pond; the rest of the loop changes to winter recreational use.
- Mapped road corridor
- Additional mapped route
- 1 · Park Loop Road fee station at Schooner Head Road
- 2 · Jordan Pond
- 3 · Cadillac Mountain summit
- Park boundary
- Named rivers and streams (USGS NHD)
Getting around in winter
Most of Park Loop Road, including Cadillac Summit Road, closes to vehicles from December 1 through April 14. Check alerts before choosing either maintained stretch.
Pass and traction
An entrance pass is required year-round for visitors 16 and older. Bring traction for icy trails and a detailed map; avoid difficult summer routes in winter.
Things to do in winter
Choose a coastal walk when snow is thin; carriage-road skiing needs enough snow.
Ocean Path or Ship Harbor
NPS suggests these walks and the carriage roads instead of demanding mountain routes. Ice, early darkness and slick granite still call for caution.
Ski the carriage roads
There are 45 miles of carriage roads. Grooming needs more than six inches of snow and a frozen roadbed; avoid walking on set tracks.
Snowmobile routes
Snowmobiles may use the designated Park Loop Road system and most fire roads. They are prohibited on hiking trails and most carriage roads; Maine registration is required.
Where to stay in winter
Book a room in a nearby town; camping and overnight parking are not winter alternatives.
Bar Harbor
Use the local lodging directory and ask properties directly about winter dates.
Southwest Harbor or Tremont
Compare accommodation on the island’s southwest side; verify the property’s season before booking.
No winter camping No winter camping, backcountry camping, out-of-bounds camping or overnight parking is allowed anywhere in Acadia.
Acadia winter crowds
The highlighted whole months average 18,262 recreation visits per month. August is the annual peak at 798,914.
Winter months highlightedDecember–March winter planning
LowestLowModerateHighPeakAverage month: 332,670
Acadia winter temperatures
NOAA 1991-2020 averages at Acadia NP, ME. The Acadia NP NOAA station sits at ~470 ft near park headquarters, about 2.5 miles from the NPS API coordinate, so these numbers describe inland Mount Desert Island, not the summits or the open coast. NPS says weather on Cadillac Mountain (1,530 ft) and the other peaks can be very different from Bar Harbor.
Winter months highlightedDecember–March winter planning
Cooler Hotter
Jan
High33°F
Low15°F
Feb
High35°F
Low18°F
Mar
High42°F
Low25°F
Apr
High53°F
Low35°F
May
High65°F
Low45°F
Jun
High74°F
Low54°F
Jul
High79°F
Low60°F
Aug
High78°F
Low60°F
Sep
High71°F
Low53°F
Oct
High59°F
Low43°F
Nov
High48°F
Low33°F
Dec
High38°F
Low22°F
Acadia winter daylight
Local sunrise and sunset on the 21st of each selected month. These are astronomical times, not a forecast or an access schedule.
| Date | Sunrise and sunset, local clock time | Daylight |
|---|---|---|
| December 21Shortest day shown | SunriseSunset | |
| January 21 | SunriseSunset | |
| February 21 | SunriseSunset | |
| March 21 | SunriseSunset |
Questions about Acadia winter
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Is Acadia open in winter?
Yes, but most of Park Loop Road and Cadillac Summit Road close to cars from December 1 to April 14. Two maintained stretches provide coastal and Jordan Pond access, weather permitting.
Can you ski in Acadia in winter?
Yes, on the carriage roads when snow allows. Grooming needs more than six inches of snow and a frozen roadbed; skiing is not guaranteed by the month.
Can you camp at Blackwoods in winter?
No. Acadia does not allow winter camping or overnight parking anywhere in the park. Arrange lodging in a nearby town.
Is Acadia worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for coastal walks and carriage-road outings if you are prepared for cold, ice and short days. Choose another season if your priority is the full Park Loop Road drive, driving Cadillac Summit Road or camping.
How we built this page.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
- Official guidance
- NPS and the relevant operators. The linked official pages support the access, facilities and rules described here. Confirm details before traveling.
- Crowd context
- 2021–2025 monthly averages. NPS recreation visits describe normal seasonal demand, not trail congestion, parking availability or unique visitors.
- Schedules and conditions
- Planning patterns, not live status. Seasonal information describes the normal pattern or explicitly dated source schedule. Current conditions are handled separately. The official source is the place to confirm today’s access.
Topic sources and data details
NPS Visiting in Winter supplies the seasonal road regime, passes, traction advice, carriage-road grooming, snowmobile restrictions and winter camping prohibition. Local lodging contacts come from the NPS chambers directory.
Temperatures are NOAA 1991-2020 normals at Acadia NP, ME; The Acadia NP NOAA station sits at ~470 ft near park headquarters, about 2.5 miles from the NPS API coordinate, so these numbers describe inland Mount Desert Island, not the summits or the open coast. NPS says weather on Cadillac Mountain (1,530 ft) and the other peaks can be very different from Bar Harbor. Daylight is computed from committed USNO 2026 local-time records at Hulls Cove Visitor Center, ME (44.41N, 68.25W).
Coastal winter hiking and restricted driving are the base trip. NPS says skiing depends on sufficient snow and a frozen roadbed; snow on hiking trails is often too shallow to cover rocks. Do not imply reliable snow across the island.
Operational source check: October 21, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-21. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.