Peregrine Falcons’ Expected Return Closes Some Trails at Acadia National Park

In anticipation of the peregrine falcons returning to their traditional nesting territories at the Precipice, Jordan and Valley Cove cliffs in Acadia National Park the National Park Service has closed the cliffs and associated trails to the public effective March 1 so as to protect the peregrine falcons from disturbance or harassment during the nesting stage.

The Jordan Cliffs Trail, Valley Cove Trail, Precipice Trail and a portion of the Orange and Black Path are closed to public entry until further notice. Signs at trailheads and trail junctions around the closed areas indicate where public entry is prohibited. The trails and carriage roads on the perimeter of the closed areas remain open. The reopening of the closed areas is expected by mid-August if nesting attempts succeed or possibly sooner if nesting attempts fail. Public entry into a closed area is a violation of federal regulations, which is punishable by fine, imprisonment or both

In 2022, three breeding pairs of peregrine falcons made their homes on Acadia’s cliffs: one near Valley Cove Trail, one near Jordan Cliffs Trail and one near Precipice Trail. Two chicks from the nests near Valley Cove Trail and Precipice Trail and four chicks from the nest near Jordan Cliffs Trail survived to fledge

In 2021, three breeding pairs of peregrine falcons made their homes on Acadia's cliffs: one near Valley Cove Trail, one near Jordan Cliffs Trail and one near Precipice Trail. Two chicks from each pair survived to fledge.