The summit road closes Monday as construction continues on a new accessible path connecting the mountain’s parking lots.

Carrie Jones

just now

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—Today is the last day to use the road that goes up Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Mountain summit for a bit.

The foggy and drizzly conditions didn’t deter some motorists this morning.

You do not need a reservation. You do need a park pass.

Park goers who like to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain will have to wait until Thanksgiving weekend this year to have another chance as long as weather conditions don’t keep it closed then.

And no, they won’t need a reservation this late in the season, unlike during the summer.

Monday, November 9, the park road up the mountain will close so that construction can continue on a new pedestrian path that will connect the parking lots on the mountain. The project will make the area more accessible and keep people off the road when walking from one lot to another toward (and away from) the summit.

In March, Friends of Acadia announced that it was funding the project and it was breaking ground.

“The trail will create a wheelchair- and stroller-accessible path, allowing visitors to safely move between the larger East parking lot, with ocean views, restrooms, and amenities, and the smaller West lot, where thousands gather each year to mark the close of the day. Separated from the road by granite coping stones, the clearly defined pedestrian route will significantly improve safety for all visitors. It will also help protect Cadillac’s fragile plant communities by reducing the informal footpaths that form when people create their own trails to avoid traffic,” Friends of Acadia CEO Eric Stiles had said.

Friends of Acadia has been partnering with Acadia National Park in multiple accessibility projects, including the recent Ocean Path, a viewing terrace at Bass Harbor Head Light Station and the accessible boardwalk along the Hemlock Path at Great Meadow.

The road is usually closed throughout the winter and is not plowed. This year it has already been determined that it will stay closed to everyone (even those not in vehicles) between December 1 and December 18. After Dec 18 walkers and cyclists can use it again.

The 27-mile Park Loop Road around the some of the park’s most popular eastern side attractions such as Thunder Hole and Sand Beach will close December 1 as is normal. The Ocean Drive portion will be open when conditions allow.

The campgrounds run by the park are closed. Jordan Pond House is already closed as area most of the park’s facilities, its gift shops, as is Wildwood Stables and Sieur de Monts Nature Center.

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Photos and Video: Shaun Farrar/Carrie Jones/Bar Harbor Story

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LINKS TO LEARN MORE

More about the project connecting Cadillac Mountain’s lots.

There are a few video clips of the Ocean Path trail work in progress on FOA’s social media page here.

DOI park accessibility policy

Friends of Acadia

Acadia National Park Accessibility

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