Carriage roads in Acadia National Park will be closed until further notice during the spring thaw / Rebecca Latson file

A visit to Acadia National Park in Maine means you’ve probably walked one or more of the 45 miles of carriage roads within the park, a gift from philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family. Starting Friday, March 8, the National Park Service (NPS) is temporarily closing those carriage roads to prevent damage to them during the spring thaw. Carriage roads will be closed to all users until further notice.

Warming weather and wet conditions soften the carriage road’s gravel surface and make them susceptible to damage. 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.

In the meantime, the NPS encourages visitors to explore Acadia’s hiking trails and the Park Loop Road, which remains closed to motor vehicles until April 15. When hiking, be prepared for icy conditions and use traction devices on your 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.