Tag Archives: traffic

Acadia parking reservation program draws flak in Bar Harbor

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 […]

‘Nightmare’ Sand Beach vehicle reservation system deferred

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 […]

Mixed views on vehicle reservation system at Acadia National Park

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

Acadia National Park bus sets record ridership, eyes expansion

Were you among the more than 640,000 riders of the Island Explorer in 2019, the Acadia bus shuttle’s 20th anniversary year?
Well, you were part of the record setting year of ridership on the propane-powered bus line, which has transported more than 8 million passengers in and around Acadia National Park since its start in 1999.
Find out what’s in store for 2020 and beyond, in this Q&A with Paul Murphy, executive director of Downeast Transportation, Inc., which operates the Island Explorer, with funding from Friends of Acadia, L.L.Bean, Acadia National Park and other sources.

Top 11 Acadia National Park events that defined the decade

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

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

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

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.