
The arrival of mud season at Acadia National Park in 2024 saw the spring thaw lead to damage on the park's iconic carriage roads/NPS file
The carriage roads at Acadia National Park closed on Tuesday due to the arrival of "mud season," which has left the roads soft and susceptible to damage.
Warmer weather and wet conditions soften the carriage roads. Walking, bicycling, and riding horses in such conditions can cause ruts and potholes that channel water and exacerbate erosion. The National Park Service will reopen the carriage roads once the gravel surface dries out and becomes firm enough to prevent damage.
Visitors can help protect the carriage roads for decades to come by respecting this temporary closure.
In the meantime, the Park Service encourages visitors to explore Acadia’s hiking trails and Park Loop Road, which remains closed to motor vehicles until April 15. When hiking, be prepared for icy conditions and carry traction devices for your shoes. When walking or biking closed sections of the Park Loop Road, exercise caution around closed gates, watch for park vehicles or equipment and be prepared to encounter lingering snow, ice and winter storm debris.
The carriage roads, along with the associated coping stones, gatehouses, stone-faced bridges and other features, are the best and most extensive example of broken-stone roads in the United States. They provide access to both sweeping vistas and close-up views of landscapes across Acadia National Park.