Missing Man's Body Recovered in Ocean Near Bar Harbor, Thursday Morning.

Missing Man’s Body Recovered in Ocean Near Bar Harbor, Thursday Morning.

Carrie Jones Jan 29, 2026 BAR HARBOR—A rescue mission for a man stranded on or near Bar Island, Wednesday evening became a recovery mission andemergency service personnel from multiple agencies found the body of a 25-year-old man in the ocean near Bar Island, Thursday morning. The man had been stranded on Bar Island late Wednesday afternoon. Search efforts were led by Acadia National Park. The Maine Marine … Continue reading Missing Man’s Body Recovered in Ocean Near Bar Harbor, Thursday Morning.

After Record 2025 Crowds, Acadia Expands Island Explorer Service for Earlier Start Two routes will be active Memorial Day Weekend

After Record 2025 Crowds, Acadia Expands Island Explorer Service for Earlier Start

Two routes will be active Memorial Day Weekend Carrie Jones Jan 27, 2026 MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Acadia had an all-time record visitation in 2025 and as both Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park continue to work on ways to mitigate either road congestion or decrease serious injury crashes, the Island Explorer will be starting a bit earlier this year and will be running some routes for Memorial … Continue reading After Record 2025 Crowds, Acadia Expands Island Explorer Service for Earlier Start

Acadia Set New Record for Total Visits in 2025

Acadia Set New Record for Total Visits in 2025

Jan 24, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/Bangor Daily News ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—Acadia National Park saw its busiest year on record in 2025, according to statistics released by the National Park Service this month. The park recorded more than 4 million visits last year, surpassing Acadia’s previous record set in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an influx in outdoor recreation across the country. The surge in … Continue reading Acadia Set New Record for Total Visits in 2025

Can Attendance at Acadia National Park Keep Growing?

Can Attendance at Acadia National Park Keep Growing?

Dec 22, 2025 By Bill Trotter/Bangor Daily News ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—Acadia National Park has weathered periods of disruption in past years, but 2025 will stand out for a variety of reasons. Acadia’s number of staffed positions was slashed this year by President Donald Trump’s administration, and it experienced its longest-ever federal government shutdown in its 109-year history. And, by the end of this month, Acadia is expected … Continue reading Can Attendance at Acadia National Park Keep Growing?

Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide Loved by Americans, Quiet in Winter: Consultant Unpacks Bar Harbor’s Unusual Tourism Rhythm

Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide

Loved by Americans, Quiet in Winter: Consultant Unpacks Bar Harbor’s Unusual Tourism Rhythm Carrie Jones Nov 15, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. BAR HARBOR—What would happen if there were no tourists in Bar Harbor? It seems a strange question when there is a popular national park that generates 4 million visits within the town’s borders. Still, it’s one of the … Continue reading Consultant: Bar Harbor Faces Unique Challenges as Tourism Demand Surges Worldwide

Thunder Hole Fall, Beehive Rescue Among Series of Recent Accidents in Acadia

Thunder Hole Fall, Beehive Rescue Among Series of Recent Accidents in Acadia

Carrie Jones Oct 14, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—A plethora of accidents kept Acadia National Park rangers and local emergency responders busy in Acadia National Park last week. The historically busy holiday weekend seemed busy with vehicles though there have been no numbers yet released by the park or the U.S. Department of Interior. It … Continue reading Thunder Hole Fall, Beehive Rescue Among Series of Recent Accidents in Acadia

Rain, Rock, and Resolve: Emily Ellis' 26-Day Trek to Help Kids Play Soccer Coach Scales All 26 Acadia Peaks to Give Every Kid a Chance

Rain, Rock, and Resolve: Emily Ellis’ 26-Day Trek to Help Kids Play

Soccer Coach Scales All 26 Acadia Peaks to Give Every Kid a Chance Carrie Jones Oct 12, 2025 MOUNT DESERT ISLAND AND TRENTON—Emily Ellis stands on the top of Sargent Mountain in Acadia National Park. The wind blasts rain against her, whipping both her hair and her voice sideways as she yells with joy. “Here I am! Sargent Mountain! Twenty-six peaks!” she yells. “I did … Continue reading Rain, Rock, and Resolve: Emily Ellis’ 26-Day Trek to Help Kids Play

All Buses Head to Bar Harbor . . . League of Towns Talks Island Explorer and Transportation

“We Have a Month to Figure It Out”

Bus Driver Shortages Hit Mount Desert, Reflecting Statewide Struggles, Plus, Cadillac Mountain Road Will Be Open Again and Taking Reservations, October 3. Carrie Jones Oct 02, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate. MOUNT DESERT—School bus driver shortages are impacting schools around the state and country and Mount Desert Island Elementary School is feeling the pressure. It’s not because the … Continue reading “We Have a Month to Figure It Out”

Acadia National Park Hopes to Expand Parking at Hull's Cove Visitor Center and Make Transportation Hub

Acadia National Park Hopes to Expand Parking at Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and Make Transportation Hub

Carrie Jones Sep 26, 2025 BAR HARBOR—Acadia National Park hopes to expand its Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot and transportation center and is set to apply for a federal grant to pay for it. Recently, the park, which is spread throughout Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, has hosted approximately 4 million visits annually. The proposed $25-million expansion would allow 439 parking spots … Continue reading Acadia National Park Hopes to Expand Parking at Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and Make Transportation Hub

Signs Referencing Climate Change Along with Web Pages Removed from Acadia National Park

Signs Referencing Climate Change Along with Web Pages Removed from Acadia National Park

Carrie Jones Sep 23, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—The National Park Service has removed multiple Acadia National Park signs that refer to climate change. Those signs were at the summit of Cadillac Mountain, one of the park’s most popular spots, as well as Great Meadow. The Trump administration has said that it hopes … Continue reading Signs Referencing Climate Change Along with Web Pages Removed from Acadia National Park