WHAT is Adapative Management?

Indicators and thresholds are tools to 

monitor how well the proposed management 

strategies are meeting desired conditions. In 

some cases, park managers may choose to 

implement certain management strategies 

(referred to as adaptive strategies above) only 

when certain triggers or thresholds are met.

Indicators are specific resource or 

experiential attributes that can be 

measured to track changes in conditions 

so that progress toward achieving and 

maintaining desired conditions can 

be assessed.

Thresholds are minimally acceptable 

conditions associated with each indicator. 

The National Park Service is working to 

establish indicators and thresholds as 

part of this planning process.

Please note that while the process of identifying indicators and 

thresholds has been initiated, the indicators, thresholds, and monitoring 

methods are in the early stages of development. The specific details 

relevant to this plan will be available for public review as part of the draft 

plan and environmental impact statement.

Management

Monitoring

Desired conditions are 

statements of aspiration that 

describe resource conditions, 

visitor experiences and 

opportunities, and facilities and 

services that an agency strives 

to achieve and maintain in a 

particular area. 

Adaptive management is a 

systematic way to improve 

and maintain conditions by 

learning from management 

outcomes.

Adaptive strategies are strategies that would be implemented 

if and when triggers or thresholds are reached, to continue to 

maintain desired conditions and visitor experiences. Some of 

the concepts presented here include adaptive strategies.

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park
Winter Harbor

Birch Harbor

186

Frazer Point

Day Use Parking

Schoodic Woods

Campground

Schoodic 

Head

Passenger ferry to 

Bar Harbor

(seasonal)

Buck Cove

Mountain

Birch Harbor

Mountain

Little Moose

Island

Schoodic Education 

and Research Center

The Anvil

Schoodic Point

Rolling Island

Schoodic Island

Schoodic Loop Road

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

NORTH 0 1 Kilometers

0 1 Miles

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Speed limit reduced on 

Schoodic Loop Road.

Schoodic

Loop Road

Reservations required for 

Schoodic Woods day use lot. 

Adaptive. Peak Use/Seasonal. 

Pedestrian trail 

constructed from SERC 

to Schoodic Point.

Reservations required for 

Schoodic Loop Road and 

validated at new entrance 

station (location TBD). 

Adaptive. Peak Use/Seasonal

Concept Schoodic 1: 

Peak Season Reservation System

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development. 

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Summary

This preliminary concept provides an opportunity for 

visitors to experience the peninsula in the same way 

they do now with many visitors choosing to access 

the district in their personal vehicles. If warranted 

(due to increases in visitation), visitors may need to 

acquire an advance reservation to drive on Schoodic 

Loop Road.

Key Elements

If thresholds related to visitor experiences and 

resource conditions are exceeded:

• Reservation systems would be implemented 

during the peak season for private vehicles 

traveling on Schoodic Loop Road and for those 

parking at the Schoodic Woods day use lot. 

Concept Schoodic 1: Peak Season Reservation System
Winter Harbor

Birch Harbor

186

Frazer Point

Day Use Parking

Schoodic Woods

Campground

Schoodic 

Head

Passenger ferry to 

Bar Harbor

(seasonal)

Buck Cove

Mountain

Birch Harbor

Mountain

Little Moose

Island

Schoodic Education 

and Research Center

The Anvil

Schoodic Point

Rolling Island

Schoodic Island

Schoodic Loop Road

NORTH 0 1 Kilometers

0 1 Miles

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Pedestrian trail 

constructed from SERC 

to Schoodic Point.

Schoodic Loop Road

One lane of Schoodic Loop 

Road dedicated for bicyclists 

(the other remains available 

for motor vehicles). 

Access to Schoodic Loop Road 

by bicycle and public transit. 

Access via new entrance 

station (location TBD). 

Adaptive. Peak Use/Seasonal

Concept Schoodic 2: Peak Season Car-Free Access

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development. 

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Summary

This preliminary concept more fully embraces 

opportunities for car-free transportation in this 

district by providing additional incentives for 

alternative transportation options and, if needed due 

to increases in visitation, placing limitations on those 

who continue to access the district by car. 

Key Elements

• Schoodic Loop Road would be restriped to 

separate bicycle use from motor vehicles.

If thresholds related to visitor experiences and 

resource conditions are exceeded:

• Access to Schoodic Loop Road would be 

primarily by bicycle and public transit. 

Concept Schoodic 2: Peak Season Car-Free Access
Otter Creek

Jordan Pond House

Schooner Head

Blackwoods

Campground

Gatehouse

SOMES SOUND

EAGLE LAKE

JORDAN POND

SEAL

HARBOR

Cadillac 

Mountain

Sargeant Drive

Park 

HQ

NORTHEAST

HARBOR

Hulls Cove 

Visitor Center

BAR

HARBOR

Thunder Hole

Sand Beach

Sieur de Monts

Schooner Head Road

Precipice

Trailhead

Duck Brook Road

Otter Cliff Road

Otter Point

BUBBLE POND

Little Hunters Beach

Bear Brook

Wildwood 

Stables

Overlook

Gorham Mountain Trailhead

Entrance Station

Fabbri

Dorr Mtn

The Triad

Day Mtn

Pemetic 

Mtn

Champlain 

Mtn

The Beehive

Gorham 

Mtn

Kebo Mtn

Connors 

Nubble

North 

Bubble

South 

Bubble

Sargent 

Mtn

Gilmore 

Peak

Penobscot 

Mtn

Bald Peak

Parkman 

Mtn

Norumbega 

Mtn

Bar Island

Village Green

233

3

3

3

198

3

Stanley Brook Road

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

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Boat Launch

Campground

Lighthouse

Museum

Parking

Picnic Area

Ranger Station

Swimming

NORTH

2 Miles

0 2 Kilometers

0

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Size restrictions 

implemented for

all vehicles. 

Right lane 

parking

eliminated. 

New public transit 

connection established 

between Park Loop 

Road and Blackwoods 

Campground. 

New parking with 

carriage roads 

connection created.. 

Reservations 

required for parking. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Reservations required 

for access. Public transit 

service provided. 

Peak Use/Seasonal.

Reservations 

required for parking. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Concept MDI-1: Increased Public 

Transit and Parking Reservations

Reservation system 

implemented for commercial 

tours on Park Loop Road. 

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development. 

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Summary

This preliminary concept allows visitors to experience a congestion-free visit by providing enhanced 

options for car-free mobility in the park and better information about congestion conditions. Safety 

concerns are addressed by providing increased alternative transportation options, reducing the 

amount of right lane parking along Park Loop Road, developing a new parking lot to replace informal 

parking along Route 233 at Eagle Lake, and working with the state to consider viable parking 

improvements or relocations along state roads. 

Key Elements

• In order to better disperse vehicle use throughout the day and season and provide visitors greater 

assurances of travel plans during their trip planning, reservation systems would be established 

during peak use times for private vehicle access to the Cadillac Mountain summit, as well as for 

parking at Jordan Pond House and Sand Beach.

• Most right lane parking on the one-way section of Park Loop Road would be eliminated to 

improve traffic flows and allow for passing of bicycles and vehicles travelling at low speeds.

• Public transit service would be expanded throughout Mount Desert Island to facilitate access to 

those areas previously accessed from right lane parking. 

• In order to better manage the volume and timing of commercial tour vehicles entering the park, a 

commercial tour vehicle reservation system would be established for tour bus access past the Sand 

Beach Entrance Station and/or to the Cadillac Mountain summit. 

Concept Mount Desert Island 1: 

Increased Public Transit and Parking Reservations
Otter Creek

Jordan Pond House

Schooner Head

Blackwoods

Campground

Gatehouse

SOMES SOUND

EAGLE LAKE

JORDAN POND

SEAL

HARBOR

Cadillac 

Mountain

Sargeant Drive

Park 

HQ

NORTHEAST

HARBOR

Hulls Cove 

Visitor Center

BAR

HARBOR

Thunder Hole

Sand Beach

Sieur de Monts

Schooner Head Road

Precipice

Trailhead

Duck Brook Road

Otter Cliff Road

Otter Point

BUBBLE POND

Little Hunters Beach

Bear Brook

Wildwood 

Stables

Overlook

Gorham Mountain Trailhead

Entrance Station

Fabbri

Dorr Mtn

The Triad

Day Mtn

Pemetic 

Mtn

Champlain 

Mtn

The Beehive

Gorham 

Mtn

Kebo Mtn

Connors 

Nubble

North 

Bubble

South 

Bubble

Sargent 

Mtn

Gilmore 

Peak

Penobscot 

Mtn

Bald Peak

Parkman 

Mtn

Norumbega 

Mtn

Bar Island

Village Green

233

3

3

3

198

3

Stanley Brook Road

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

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Boat Launch

Campground

Lighthouse

Museum

Parking

Picnic Area

Ranger Station

Swimming

NORTH

2 Miles

0 2 Kilometers

0

Right lane 

parking

eliminated. 

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Access to Ocean Drive 

allowed until to-bedetermined thresholds 

reached.

Peak Use/Seasonal

Reservations 

required for access. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Concept MDI-2: Traffic Metering

and Parking Reservations

If queues become 

unacceptably long, 

reservation system 

implemented. Adaptive. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Size restrictions 

implemented for 

all vehicles. 

Reservations 

required for parking. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development. 

Summary

This preliminary concept improves visitor experiences and reduces 

congestion on Park Loop Road by metering the number of private 

vehicles on Ocean Drive during peak season and consolidating tour 

bus operations. Visitor safety would be improved by eliminating 

the right lane parking along Ocean Drive, by metering the 

number of cars on Ocean Drive, by designating hours for bicycle 

use on Lower Mountain Road, and by implementing vehicle size 

restrictions, consolidating bus operations, and designating hours 

for bicycle use on Cadillac Summit Road. 

Key Elements

• During peak use times, access to Ocean Drive by private vehicles 

would be metered to ensure free flowing roadway conditions 

and adequate parking availability for visitors.

• Most right lane parking on the one-way section of Park Loop 

Road would be eliminated to improve traffic flows and allow for 

passing of bicycles and vehicles travelling at low speeds. 

• The frequency of the Sand Beach and Loop Road transit routes 

would be increased to partially offset vehicles displaced by the 

removal of right lane parking.

• In order to better disperse vehicle use throughout the day 

and season and provide visitors greater assurances of travel 

plans during their trip planning, reservation systems would be 

established during peak use times for private vehicle access to 

the Cadillac Mountain summit and parking at the Jordan 

Pond House.

• Commercial tour vehicle access to Park Loop Road and Cadillac 

Mountain would be replaced with a concession bus operation 

to provide consistent orientation and information to visitors 

and provide a means to more closely coordinate the timing 

and volume of tour buses entering the park. Large tour groups 

arriving to Mount Desert Island on a commercial tour bus or 

by cruise ship would transfer to the concession bus in order to 

access the park.

Concept Mount Desert Island 2: 

Traffic Metering and Parking Reservations
Otter Creek

Jordan Pond House

Schooner Head

Blackwoods

Campground

Gatehouse

SOMES SOUND

EAGLE LAKE

JORDAN POND

SEAL

HARBOR

Cadillac 

Mountain

Sargeant Drive

Park 

HQ

NORTHEAST

HARBOR

Hulls Cove 

Visitor Center

BAR

HARBOR

Thunder Hole

Sand Beach

Sieur de Monts

Schooner Head Road

Precipice

Trailhead

Duck Brook Road

Otter Cliff Road

Otter Point

BUBBLE POND

Little Hunters Beach

Bear Brook

Wildwood 

Stables

Overlook

Gorham Mountain Trailhead

Entrance Station

Fabbri

Dorr Mtn

The Triad

Day Mtn

Pemetic 

Mtn

Champlain 

Mtn

The Beehive

Gorham 

Mtn

Kebo Mtn

Connors 

Nubble

North 

Bubble

South 

Bubble

Sargent 

Mtn

Gilmore 

Peak

Penobscot 

Mtn

Bald Peak

Parkman 

Mtn

Norumbega 

Mtn

Bar Island

Village Green

233

3

3

3

198

3

Stanley Brook Road

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

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Boat Launch

Campground

Lighthouse

Museum

Parking

Picnic Area

Ranger Station

Swimming

NORTH

2 Miles

0 2 Kilometers

0

Exit only

Exit only

Exit only

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Park Loop Road motor 

vehicle access consolidated.

Size restrictions 

implemented 

for all vehicles.

Exit only

Park Loop Road motor 

vehicle access 

consolidated.

New public transit 

connection established 

between Park Loop 

Road and Blackwoods 

Campground. 

Park Loop Road 

becomes primarily 

one-way. 

New parking with 

carriage roads 

connection created. 

Concept MDI-3: 

Vehicle Access Reservation System

Right lane 

parking

formalized

north of 

Sand Beach. 

Other existing Park 

Loop Road access 

points gated and used 

as exit points.

Reservations required for 

private vehicle access. 

Peak Use/Seasonal

Supplemental reservation 

 required. Peak Use/Seasonal

Reservations 

required for private 

vehicle access. 

Peak Use/Seasonal.

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Concept Mount Desert Island 3: 

Vehicle Access Reservation System

Summary

This preliminary concept improves visitor 

experiences, reduces congestion on Park Loop 

Road, and creates a safer experience for bicyclists 

by making the entire Park Loop Road one way, 

reversing the one-way travel on Park Loop Road 

to counterclockwise, and consolidating entrances 

to the park. 

Key Elements

• A new entrance station at Paradise Hill Road 

(i.e., the segment of Park Loop Road from 

Hulls Cove Visitor Center to Route 233) would 

be established as the primary gateway into 

the park with a secondary entrance station at 

Stanley Brook Road. During peak use times, all 

other existing entrances would be used as exit 

points only for private vehicles, and entrances 

and exits for buses, commercial service 

vehicles, and emergency responders.

• To better manage and distribute the overall 

volume of vehicles on Park Loop Road, 

private vehicles would obtain an advanced 

reservation to proceed past the Paradise Hill 

or Stanley Brook entrance stations during 

peak use times. Also during peak use times, a 

supplemental reservation system for Cadillac 

Mountain would be established to ensure 

parking availability and greater assurances in 

advanced trip planning. 

• The two-way section of Park Loop Road 

between Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond 

House would become one way to improve 

safety for bicyclists.

• The one way direction on Park Loop Road 

would be reversed to counter clockwise in 

order to allow bicycles and slow-moving 

vehicles to travel in the right hand (ocean 

side) lane. This strategy would reduce travel 

speeds immediately adjacent to the popular 

Ocean Path and improve the scenic driving 

experience for visitors. 

• Right lane parking would be allowed between 

Sand Beach and the Sand Beach entrance 

station. A path paralleling the right lane 

parking in this area would be constructed 

to facilitate safe access to the beach and 

Ocean Path. 

• Commercial tour vehicle access to Park 

Loop Road and Cadillac Mountain would be 

replaced with a concession bus operation to 

provide consistent orientation and information 

to visitors and provide a means to more 

closely coordinate the timing and volume 

of tour buses entering the park. Large tour 

groups arriving to Mount Desert Island on a 

commercial tour bus or by cruise ship would 

transfer to the concession bus in order to 

access the park.

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development. 
Otter Creek

Jordan Pond House

Schooner Head

Blackwoods

Campground

Gatehouse

SOMES SOUND

EAGLE LAKE

JORDAN POND

SEAL

HARBOR

Cadillac 

Mountain

Sargeant Drive

Park 

HQ

NORTHEAST

HARBOR

Hulls Cove 

Visitor Center

BAR

HARBOR

Thunder Hole

Sand Beach

Sieur de Monts

Schooner Head Road

Precipice

Trailhead

Duck Brook Road

Otter Cliff Road

Otter Point

BUBBLE POND

Little Hunters Beach

Bear Brook

Wildwood 

Stables

Overlook

Gorham Mountain Trailhead

Entrance Station

Fabbri

Dorr Mtn

The Triad

Day Mtn

Pemetic 

Mtn

Champlain 

Mtn

The Beehive

Gorham 

Mtn

Kebo Mtn

Connors 

Nubble

North 

Bubble

South 

Bubble

Sargent 

Mtn

Gilmore 

Peak

Penobscot 

Mtn

Bald Peak

Parkman 

Mtn

Norumbega 

Mtn

Bar Island

Village Green

233

3

3

3

198

3

Stanley Brook Road

Legislated Fee Boundary

Fee Owned Land

Other Land

Park Loop Road

Other Roads

Passenger Ferry Route

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Boat Launch

Campground

Lighthouse

Museum

Parking

Picnic Area

Ranger Station

Swimming

NORTH

2 Miles

0 2 Kilometers

0

Park Loop Road

motor vehicle 

access consolidated. 

Exit only

Exit only

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Transit hub

Entirity of Park 

Loop Road

circulation two-way.

Park Loop Road motor 

vehicle access consolidated.

New drop-off area 

at Schooner Head 

Road. 

New parking with 

carriage roads 

connection created. 

Concept MDI-4: 

Park Loop Road Public Transit

Exit only

Other existing Park 

Loop Road access 

points gated and used 

as exit points.

Exit only Access to Park Loop 

Road by transit only. 

Private vehicle access to 

Park Loop Road allowed 

during shoulder season. 

Peak Use/Seasonal.

Acadia National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Acadia National Park

Concept Mount Desert Island 4: 

Park Loop Road Public Transit

Summary

This preliminary concept enhances 

visitor experiences, reduces 

congestion, and improves safety 

by making the entirety of Park 

Loop Road two way and, during 

peak seasons, by replacing 

private automobile access with 

a concession operation for both 

scenic tours and rapid shuttle 

service. During the shoulder 

seasons, private vehicles would 

be able to access Park Loop Road 

and attractions through a metered 

system, and circulation would 

remain two-way. 

Key Elements

• All of Park Loop Road would be 

converted back to the historic 

two-way circulation pattern to 

facilitate efficient and flexible 

travel options for visitors.

• During the peak season, access 

to Park Loop Road would be by 

transit only, with both shuttle 

and tour buses. While buses 

would be wheelchair accessible, 

a permit would be available 

to visitors with disabilities to 

access Park Loop Road in their 

own vehicle.

• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center 

would serve as a transportation 

hub for shuttle and tours. 

Parking would be expanded 

at Hulls Cove in addition to 

expanded parking at remote 

locations such as the Acadia 

Gateway Center or other private 

or public facilities. 

• During the shoulder season, 

private vehicle access to Park 

Loop Road would be metered. 

• Passengers on commercial 

tours would be transferred to 

concessioner buses.

Map Key

Items indicated in green would be implemented 

under this concept.

Items with a Peak Use/Seasonal tag would only 

be implemented during times of peak use and/or 

during peak season.

Items with an Adaptive tag would only be 

implemented if thresholds related to visitor 

experiences and/or resource conditions are 

exceeded. These thresholds are under development.