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Rough Winter Delays Some Road Openings At Acadia National Park

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Published Date

May 9, 2018
Lurvey Spring Road at Acadia National Park/NPS

Lurvey Spring Road at Acadia National Park might not open to vehicles this year due to winter damage/NPS

Maine winters can be hard, and those on coastal parts of the state can be particularly hard. At Acadia National Park, last winter's rough winter has led to delayed openings for several roads in the park.

Seal Cove Road, Western Mountain Road, and Lurvey Spring Road all will have delayed openings to motor vehicles this spring. These unpaved roads have deep ruts, exposed culverts, and downed wood creating unsafe conditions, the park staff report.

Unpaved roads generally have their gates closed around November 15 and are reopened by May 15, weather and conditions permitting.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our neighbors and park visitors with these temporary delays to allow these unpaved roads to be opened safely,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider.

Priority will be to open Seal Cove Road, then the Western Mountain Road (and connecting unpaved roads) to motor vehicles, and then the Lurvey Spring Road. Last winter’s repeated patterns of freezing rain, thawing, and melting snow impacted Lurvey Spring Road the most. This road is traditionally maintained to standards linked to the overall lower level of traffic. The resulting damage means the Lurvey Spring Road may open much later or not at all.

These unpaved roads mentioned are open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Bicyclists should exercise caution, as some ruts are very deep and traverse the entire width of the road. Some unpaved roads also have downed wood across all or part of the road. When park crews are working to open these roads, there may be temporary closures if the road is too narrow to safely allow pedestrian and bicycle access alongside heavy equipment.

Seal Cove Road connects Seal Cove and Southwest Harbor (2.17 miles). The Western Mountain Road runs north of the Seal Cover road and provides access to the southeastern shore of Seal Cove Pond (3.32 miles, including connecting unpaved roads). Lurvey Spring Road connects Echo Lake Beach Road and Long Pond Road in Southwest Harbor (1.22 miles).

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