MAINE PUBLIC • August 18, 2021
People are traveling in record numbers to national parks this summer, including Maine's Acadia National Park. But being outdoors doesn't necessarily mean mask-free. The National Park Service is now requiring that masks be worn by visitors not only in buildings and facilities, but also in crowded outdoor areas. "In addition we are requiring masks in areas that are crowded - amphitheaters, ranger led programs, campgrounds....pathways," says John Kelly, a spokesperson for Acadia. Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor is one of the top ten parks in the country and attracts people from all over the world. Acadia has been experiencing steady increases in visits over the last three years as Americans spend more vacation time outdoors, due to the pandemic.