BAR HARBOR, Maine — The National Park Service (NPS) has temporarily closed the carriage roads inside Acadia National Park to prevent damage during the spring thaw.
The gravel surfaces on the carriage roads are susceptible to damage with the current warming weather and wet conditions, according to a Thursday press release from NPS.
"Walking, bicycling, and riding horses in such conditions can cause ruts and potholes that channel water and exacerbate erosion. The NPS will reopen the carriage roads once the gravel surface dries out and becomes firm enough to prevent damage," the release states.
Until the carriage roads reopen, the NPS is encouraging visitors to explore the park's hiking trails and the Park Loop Road, which is closed to motor vehicles until April 15.
NPS does caution hikers to prepare for icy conditions and to wear proper traction devices on their footwear.
"When walking or biking the closed sections of the Park Loop Road, exercise caution around closed gates, watch for park vehicles and equipment, and be prepared to encounter lingering ice and storm debris," the release states.
NPS emphasized that carriage roads, with their coping stones, gatehouses, and stone-faced bridges are "the best and most extensive example of broken-stone roads in the United States." It said these carriage roads it's protecting provide access to both sweeping vistas and the best close-up views of the park's landscapes.
For current information about visiting Acadia National Park, click here or call 207-288-3338.
