If you have searched this article, you are an adventurous soul! Acadia national park is a breathtaking location on the coast of Maine. Spread over an area of 47,390 acres, Acadia national park in winter is a delight to visit.
If you haven’t already visited this park in winter, it’s high time you try it. Acadia presents some of the best recreational opportunities for visitors. It is known for its rugged nature encompassing half of Mount Desert Island.
Are you feeling overwhelmed about going in winter? No problem, we will provide you with every detail in this post. From packing the right equipment to the best time to take your vacation, we have got you covered!
So gear up, and let’s start!
Is Acadia National Park Open in Winter?
Yes! Acadia National park in winter is open for visitors. The best thing is that you can enjoy the white serenity of the place without the crowd of people. It’s nice and quiet in winter, making it perfect for visiting. Don’t just take our word for it. See it for yourself in this Youtube video:
We know you have already made up your mind! So, let’s see how you can get to Acadia in winter.
How To Reach Acadia National Park?
There are a few methods available when traveling to Acadia National Park.
Take a road trip
If you are planning to have a chilly road trip (which we think is exciting), there are two routes you can take:
Schoodic Peninsula
First, take the I-95 route north towards Bangor, Maine. Then take your car on route 1A east towards Ellsworth. When in Ellsworth, you have to head north on U.S. Route 1. Continue for almost 17.3 miles to Hwy 186.
Turn right and then drive for approximately 6.5 miles. At the yield sign, turn to the left and continue driving for around 0.5 miles. Finally, take a right turn on Schoodic Loop Road.
Mount Desert Island
Another route you can enjoy your road trip is through Mount Desert Island. You can take the I-95 highway from Boston north to Augusta, Maine. Then take route three, which is east of Ellsworth. Continue your drive towards Mount Desert Island.
Take a Plane Ride
Although the roads to Acadia National Park are a delight to drive on, you can also take a plane ride there. A plane ride will lower your journey time, so you won’t be tired when you reach the park. Hancock County Airport is about 10 miles away from Acadia National Park. You can take a direct flight from Boston’s Logan Airport to here.
Bangor International Airport is also connected to the national airlines, which is almost one hour away from the park. You can land at both airports and then take car rentals to the Acadia National Park.
Can I Buy a Winter Pass for the Acadia National Park?
It would be best if you had a pass to enter Acadia National Park. You can take a weekly, annual, or lifetime pass (if you’re a frequent visitor). So where can you buy the pass? We recommend that you purchase it online before going to the park.
This way, you won’t have to go through the hassle of buying it on the spot. You can skip this step and can directly head towards the parking lot. Leave your pass on your dashboard, and you’re good to go! Click here to buy your pass for Acadia National Park online.
Does an Acadia Parking Pass Also Cover Car Reservation?
Unfortunately No! Your parking pass is not the same as your car reservation pass. Acadia is filled with visitors during peak times. Almost 3.5 million people visit it every year. So, it’s better to buy your vehicle reservation pass to enjoy the park’s popular areas without worry.
You will need your car reservation to pass for:
- Sand Beach (from 7 am to 5 pm)
- Ocean Path
- Great Head
- Thunder Hole
- Gorham Mountain
- The Beehive
- Cadillac Sumit Road (from 4:30 am to 6:30 pm)
You can also make car reservations online just for $2! Click here to get your reservations.
Does It Snow in Acadia National Park?
In winter, you see a different sight of Acadia National Park. It is the same scenic beauty of Maine but covered under the soft white blanket of snow. This park should be on your radar if you are a fan of the winter season!
The coastal location of Acadia makes the weather change rapidly. The same is the case with snow in the winter. The temperature can change quickly and can go even below zero. On average, the park receives 61 inches of snow every year.
The period of snowfall usually lasts for 5 to 6 months in Acadia. It starts in late October and can continue up to Mid April. January has the most snowfall in Acadia, with an average of 12.7 inches.
The three cold months of Acadia are December, January, and February. Below, we have described the weather conditions for each month so you can come fully prepared. Don’t let winters stop your fun!
What Is Acadia National Park Like in December?
December is one of the coldest months in the Acadia National Park. But don’t worry! We have listed all the information you need to have the best time there.
Average Temperature in December
The average temperature of the park in December ranges from 3°C (38°F) to -3°C (27°F). The weather is primarily chilly and breezy.
Rainfall/Snowfall in December
December in Acadia is not known for rainfall. The rainiest month is April. There is usually a 39% chance of precipitation and snow in December. The average rain or snowfall (if at all) is 0.1mm.
Cloudiness in December
The Acadia National Park in December mostly remains cloudy. The sky is clear for some time during the day. On average, the atmosphere remains cloudy for 60% of the time and clear for only 9-10 hours.
Humidity in December
December comes with some highest humidity rates in Acadia. The average amount of relative humidity in December is 87%. The weather is cold and somewhat humid.
What Is Acadia National Park Like in January?
Acadia National Park in winter is super chilly, especially in January. But, when has that ever stopped adventurists like us, right? So here is the weather information you would want to know.
Average Temperature in January
As January is the coldest month, the temperature on average ranges from 1°C (33°F) to -6°C (21°F). You can say that it is icy and somewhat freezing out there.
Rainfall/Snowfall in January
January has the lowest temperatures in Acadia, but the rain chances are somewhat bleak. The weather reports show a 31% chance of rainfall and snowfall on an average January day. The amount of rain recorded in January is 0.1mm.
Cloudiness in January
The weather in January is cold, but the sky remains clear for almost half the day. The weather experts say that the clouds leave the sky for nearly 10 to 11 hours (43% of the day). The rest of the day, it remains cloudy.
Humidity in January
January is the coldest but also the most humid month of the season. The relative average humidity in January is 87% (just like December). So yes, like December, January is breezy and humid.
What Is Acadia National Park Like in February?
The month of February in Acadia National Park is pretty much like January. The weather conditions in the three coldest months (December, January, and February) are almost identical, with slight variation. Still, you should know the weather conditions in detail so you don’t encounter anything unanticipated.
Average Temperature in February
The temperature in Acadia during February can get as low as -10°C, but it rarely goes below -8°C. The highest temperature in February is 2°C. On average, the temperature remains between -1°C to 5°C.
Rainfall/Snowfall in February
A wet day in February sees almost 1mm of precipitation. However, the chances of rainfall remain low in February. On average, there is a 25% chance of precipitation. The rainfall recorded in February is between 47 and 96mm. Similarly, the snowfall recorded in February is between 312 to 638mm.
Cloudiness in February
In February, the cloudy cover increases. It increases to almost 50% to 56% throughout the day. The sky remains clear nearly 40% to 50% of the time.
Humidity in February
The month of February is usually dry. The dew points change very slowly between the night and the day. The chances of a muggy day are traditionally 0% throughout. The relative humidity is almost 85%.
What To Do in Acadia National Park in the Winter?
Ready to experience winter in full swing? That’s the spirit! Acadia National Park in winter offers a range of recreational activities for visitors. We recommend that you try the following:
Taking in the Scenes During a Car Drive
Sometimes all you want to do is drive-through and take in the natural beauty of the road, isn’t it? Acadia National Park has some of the best scenic drives. Enjoy them from the comfort of your warm car or stop in between to do winter photography. Mount Desert Island in winter is usually open and offers some great spots. Some areas you can enjoy on a winter drive are:
- Jordan Pond
- Ocean Drive
- Northeast Harbor
- Bass Harbors
Well, if you are going for a drive, we suggest that you must pack extra batteries and a power bank with you. We recommend buying Anker Portable Charger for your phone.
Cross Country Skiing
It will be a shame if you leave the park without trying skiing on the carriage roads. Acadia National Park in winter offers more than 25 miles of tracks for skiing. Gear up and get ready to try it if you haven’t already! We are sure it would be an experience of a lifetime.
Make sure you have some protective gear, such as good snow boots. Check out these best-selling snowboots for men and for women.
Go Hiking
If you are truly adventurous, go hiking in winter. Acadia’s hiking trails are open all year, and winter presents an excellent opportunity to explore them without the summer rush. Just bring proper equipment with you as ice can get pretty slippery. We suggest getting a pair of crampons to walk firmly on snow.
Getting a good pair of hiking boots will also help your trip. Check out our article to know everything about buying great hiking boots!
Winter Camping in Acadia National Park
Yes, you heard it right! You can set up a camp in the winter season as well. Some campsites close in winter, but when did that stop us? Check out our detailed article, “Can I Sleep In My Car at Campsite?” to take benefit of your car in winter evenings! Keen on setting up your camp? We will tell you four great campgrounds inside Acadia where you can set up a camp.
- Blackwoods Campground
- Schoodic Woods Campground
- Duck Harbor Campground
- Seawall Campground
What Is the Best Time of Year To Visit Acadia National Park?
It depends on what you look forward to in the park! The weather is moderate and pleasant during summers, but the park is crowded. You won’t be able to enjoy the peace. April and May have wet and humid weather. Everything is soggy, and rain is expected. You might want to pack everything in water-proof gear.
Then winter comes with its cold chilly months. The temperature falls below zero, but there are not a lot of visitors. The beauty of Maine is exceptional under the white snow, and you can take it all in! Therefore, we recommend that Acadia National Park is your go-to destination if you are a dedicated winter adventurist!
Final Thoughts
Who said you could only enjoy the outdoors in summer? Acadia National Park in winter offers some of the most scenic views and breathtaking trails. Many businesses and hotels close in winter, which also means fewer visitors and great parking spaces!
If you are an avid winter traveler, Acadia National Park is a perfect place to visit. Therefore, we have developed this guide to help you prepare for your winter trip.
Follow the guide, and don’t let the winters stop your outdoor fun!
Also, read our article on insulating your tent for winter camping!