Trail Closures Begin in Acadia National Park as Peregrine Falcons Return to Nest

Acadia National Park Update

Every spring, Acadia National Park closes several popular hiking trails to protect nesting peregrine falcons. These temporary closures usually start in March and can last until August. Here’s what you need to know.

The Following Acadia NP Trails Are Off-Limits

Starting March 1 until further notice, the following areas are temporarily closed:

• The Precipice Trail

• Jordan Cliffs Trail

• Valley Cove Trail

• Penobscot East Trail

The Precipice Trail parking lot is also off-limits to vehicles during this time.

Acadia NP & Peregrine Protection

Led by wildlife biologist Bruce Connery, the program was a joint effort between Acadia National Park Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It plays an important role in helping peregrine falcons successfully nest by keeping an eye on their nesting areas.

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Behaviors in Acadia

Peregrine falcons begin interesting courtship behaviors in March, such as dramatic flying displays and calls as part of their mating rituals.

They lay eggs in April, with incubation happening from late April to early May. Since raising chicks requires a lot of energy, the female stays on the nest while the male brings food.

The chicks hatch in May and June, and by July, the young falcons start learning to fly. After about 6 weeks (or by August), the families usually leave the nests because the young falcons are ready to live on their own.

The latest programs at Acadia let you check in on the nest through live video feeds.

The Nesting Season Closures Are Working

Naturally, the shutdown matches the peregrines’ natural breeding cycle. Peregrines need a disturbance-free zone of about 150-175 meters around their nests.

Human activity closer than that can stress the birds, causing them to abandon nests or not breed successfully. The park has also invested in tracking technology, including GPS and radio transmitters, to monitor nests and find disturbances.

Acadia National Park’s Success Story

Peregrine falcons completely disappeared from Acadia by 1956 due to DDT poisoning. After reintroduction efforts began in 1984, the first successful nest was seen in 1991.

By 2020, Acadia had a stable population of 3-4 nesting pairs each year, with more chicks surviving.

In 2024, three breeding pairs successfully nested. Rangers recorded the survival of all the chicks, showing that the recovery program is still working.

In 2025, Acadia will start offering volunteer opportunities for monitoring falcon nests and helping with ongoing recovery work.

How to Watch the Falcons Safely

If people get too close, it can disrupt their natural behaviors, like incubating eggs and feeding, and may even cause the falcons to leave. The park has watch stations with spotting scopes where you can safely observe the birds from a distance.

Breaking the Rules Has Serious Consequences

You can get fined up to $5,000 and even jail time if you break the closure rule. The falcons themselves may dive-bomb anyone who gets too close to their nests, as they are very protective parents. These encounters can be dangerous for both people and birds.

You Can Still Enjoy Acadia National Park

As long as you respect the Acadia’s peregrine falcons, there’s no reason not to visit this amazing national park.

The Beehive Trail gives you views similar to the Precipice, while the Ocean Path has equally beautiful coastal scenery.