Well, they've close the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park for the winter. That's both the bad news and the good news for winter visitors to the Jewel of the Atlantic.

The road was officially closed this past Monday, December 1, and will remain that way into spring. Usually by mid-April the road is opened back up to vehicle traffic, but for the next four-and-a-half months most of the loop will be accessible only by folks on snowshoes, skis, or snowmobiles.

There are some exceptions, of course. A scenic one-mile section along the ocean will remain open to vehicles with access via Schooner Head Road, two miles south of downtown Bar Harbor, and access to Jordan Pond via Route 3 and the Jordan Pond Road in Seal Harbor will also remain open.

Aside from the Park Loop Road, the following paved roads and parking areas also are shuttered for the winter:

* Beech Mountain Road Parking Area

* Duck Brook Road from Duck Brook Bridge to West Street Extension

* Great Meadow Drive (Ledgelawn Avenue extension, park-owned section only)

* Kebo Street (park-owned section only)

* Southern end of Schooner Head Road

* Stanley Brook Road

* West Street Extension (park-owned section only)

Now, despite these road closures there remain plenty of things to do in Acadia during the winter months. Along with the aforementioned snow sports you can try your hand at ice fishing, see how hardy you are by camping at the Blackwoods Campground, bring your dogsled team to the park and skim along the roads, or even try skijoring with your dogs.

Of course, you can still hike in the park, but it's advised that you follow these guidelines before heading out in winter.

If you are interesting in cross-country skiing at Acadia, check out this site from time to time to see which trails have been groomed.

And if you have any questions about the above-mentioned activities, turn to this page for answers and additional information.

And in case you can't make it to Acadia this winter, but are curious about what's going on, check out the park's winter blog, which is kept up-to-date by rangers.