Acadia National Park begins opening facilities for its centennial summer

The scenic Park Loop Road of Acadia National Park will open to vehicles on Friday, April 15, kicking off the summer season of the park’s centennial year, the National Park Service announced today. The paved road provides easy access to many of the park’s hiking trails, carriage roads, beaches, scenic overlooks and facilities.

Acadia032216-1The Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Thompson Island Picnic Area and Echo Lake Beach will also open on Friday.

“We’re looking forward to a busy and exciting centennial year at Acadia and hope visitors have a safe and memorable experience enjoying their national park,” Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider stated in the press release.

The Hulls Cove Visitor Center will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Thompson Island Picnic Area will be closed to motor vehicles daily at dark.

The carriage roads in Acadia National Park have opened to pedestrians and bicyclists, but remain closed to horse use until further notice to prevent damage to the gravel road surface.

A view of The Beehive from Sand Beach.

A view of The Beehive from Sand Beach.

The NPS will continue to open other park facilities, including restrooms, campgrounds, and picnic areas, throughout May in preparation for the summer season.

All park visitors are required to pay an entrance fee upon entry May through October. Acadia passes can be purchased online and at several locations throughout the park and MDI, including Hulls Cove Visitor Center and the Bar Harbor Village Green.

 

For updates on the opening of facilities at Acadia National Park, call 207-288-3338 or visit www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/hours. Updates can also be found on the park’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AcadiaNPS and on Twitter at twitter.com/AcadiaNPS.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.