Acadia National Park closes summit road on 9 November

At Acadia National Park, Cadillac Summit Road will close from 9 to 25 November 2026 while construction resumes on a pedestrian path at Cadillac Mountain. The closure affects the summit road itself, but hiking trails on the mountain remain open.

Cadillac Summit Road closes twice for construction

The first closure begins on 9 November 2026 and covers all users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. A second closure runs from 1 to 18 December 2026, according to the current report on the access change.

The work concerns a path connecting the summit’s east and west parking areas. The project is intended to separate pedestrians from traffic on the busy summit road, while the road is expected to reopen to vehicles on 25 November for the Thanksgiving weekend. Weather could alter vehicle access before that date.

The reported closure dates place the change inside the November and December travel period. The same report says hiking trails on Cadillac Mountain will remain open throughout the construction closures.

Cadillac Mountain links access with park history

Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States, according to the National Park Service. Its summit has a paved loop trail, interpretive waysides, restrooms and a gift shop.

The Hancock County Trustees for Public Reservations purchased the summit in 1908. It later became part of the original land acreage of Sieur de Monts National Monument, which became Acadia National Park. The present summit road was constructed between 1924 and 1931.

The National Park Service describes Cadillac Summit Road as a winding paved route measuring 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the summit. The park’s Cadillac Mountain information also notes that no public transport runs to the summit.

Seasonal roads add another access change

The summit-road closures overlap with wider seasonal changes across the park. Park Loop Road will close to motor vehicles for the season on 1 December 2026, although sections remain open near Bar Harbor and Jordan Pond.

The road closure creates a clear distinction for visitors planning an autumn visit: the summit trails remain available, while the direct road route to the top is unavailable during the two construction periods. This makes the mountain’s trail network the relevant access option when the road itself is closed.

Visiting Acadia National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Cadillac Summit Road is closed to all users from 9 to 25 November 2026 and again from 1 to 18 December 2026.
• Hiking trails on Cadillac Mountain remain open during both closures, but visitors cannot use the summit road on foot, by bicycle or by vehicle.
• Cadillac Summit Road is reached from Park Loop Road, and the summit is in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine.
• The summit route is winding and paved, while parts of the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail are steep or contain steps.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Acadia National Park

When does the road closure take place at Acadia National Park?

Cadillac Summit Road closes from 9 to 25 November 2026 and from 1 to 18 December 2026 for construction.

What remains open during the Cadillac Summit Road closure?

Hiking trails on Cadillac Mountain remain open, but the summit road is closed to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians during both periods.

Where is Acadia National Park and how do you get there?

The park is near Bar Harbor in Maine, United States. Cadillac Summit Road branches from Park Loop Road, and no public transport runs to the summit.