Discover Maine’s Winter Secrets on Acadia All American Road

A Powerful Nor'easter () [1]

With the pounding surfs and heavy rains so characteristic of “nor'easter” storms, along with an average annual snowfall of 61 inches, the casual traveler might not first consider Acadia National Park for a winter recreation destination. But those who look past Mother Nature’s antics will discover some of winter's best-kept secrets along the enchanted lanes of the Acadia All American Road in Maine.

Begin your journey on ME-3 at the Ellsworth-Trenton town line, where the byway begins. As you follow the byway through open country and quiet towns, you’ll enjoy pristine views of snowy rooftops interspersed with the snow-enveloped landscape. Stop in one of these towns for a night or two, and immerse yourself in their culture and events. Enjoy a steaming bowl of Maine’s clam chowder to help combat winter’s chills, then continue on to enjoy winter’s thrills. About 17 miles from the beginning of the byway, you'll reach Bar Harbor. Venture west from the byway on ME-233 for about three miles to the Acadia Park Headquarters, the park’s winter visitor center, to plan your winter excursion. You can also get updates on road conditions and other current winter information from the Acadia National Park website. From there, you can choose to return to Bar Harbor and continue along the byway, or you can opt for the park's famous carriage roads.

Ocean Steam () [2]

If you choose to return to the byway, you’ll most likely have to find another means of transportation once you reach Park Loop Road--most of this section of the byway is closed to automobiles during the winter. You can access the winter entrance to the loop via Schooner Head Road, which is about two miles south of downtown Bar Harbor. Feeling adventurous? Experience the rest of the byway from the seat of a snowmobile, and enjoy 27 miles of pure, powdery bliss. Revel in wintry views of the coast and the blue-gray Atlantic as the road follows the coastline, then ventures deep into the woods. You’ll love the wide, even trails created by the paved road hidden beneath a blanket of snow. Before you venture out, make sure your snowmobile is registered with the State of Maine, required whether the owner is a resident or not. For more information about snowmobile registration and regulations, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

Cross-Country Skiing Across a Stone Bridge () [3]

Want to explore the calm, quiet woods of Maine in winter? Strap on your cross-country skis and take in Acadia National Park's 45 miles of Carriage Roads and stone bridges, most of which are closed to snowmobile use. Built in the early 20th century from granite quarried here on Mount Desert Island, the "broken stone" Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park are now maintained and preserved by the National Park Service for the same use today as then -- hiking, biking, horseback riding and carriage-driving. For an even more authentic wintry experience, venture along the roads via dogsled or slow down and relish the Acadian winter while strapped into a pair of snowshoes. If you choose to snowshoe, you can explore the snowy mountains of the park, but be sure to tell someone your plans first. Wherever you snowshoe or sled in the park, be kind to cross-country skiers and give their tracks some space as you hike your way through the snowy secrets of the park.

For even more winter thrills, try ice fishing. Once the region’s bodies of freshwater freeze over and disguise the watery world hidden underneath, pull out your ice fishing gear, drill a hole, and cast a line in the park’s 11-plus lakes and ponds. Although the snow that typically lies on top of the ice is not ideal for ice-skating, this doesn’t affect the excellent ice fishing opportunities. Perhaps you’ll reel in a salmon, trout, or other sport fish. For more information on ice fishing regulations and season dates, visit the State’s ice-fishing laws and rules website.

Milky Way from Acadia National Park () [4]

Pack your best winter gear and spend a night in winter's bounty at the Blackwoods Campground, located a few miles south of Bar Harbor just off the byway along ME-3. Park your car at the entrance and hike in. In the off-season months of winter, the campground offers limited walk-in camping with a permit, which can be acquired from the dispatch office at park headquarters. Set up camp in time to enjoy the sunset, and if the sky is clear, take in views of Maine’s spectacular night sky. Well-known for its stargazing opportunities, the region allows those who look to the stars to see some of the night sky’s best, uninterrupted extraterrestrial views. In winter, you have a unique opportunity to see skies different from those seen during the regular tourist season. You just might see thousands of stars, part of the Milky Way, and even other galaxies—with the naked eye! Imagine what you could see with a telescope!

Whether you want to experience winter in Acadia National Park gliding along the byway on the seat of a snowmobile, exploring the carriage roads from the driver’s seat of a dog sled, or gazing up at the magnificent night sky from your campsite, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime as you uncover Maine’s winter secrets along Acadia All American Road.