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Mountain · Bar Harbor, Maine
Cadillac Mountain
The highest point in Acadia National Park at 466 meters, a pink granite summit. From the top you can see Bar Harbor, the islands in Frenchman Bay and the open ocean; between October and March it is one of the first places in the country to see the sunrise.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac is the highest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast at about 466 meters. Until 1918 it was called Green Mountain; the current name honors the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who received land on the island in the late 17th century. The summit is a large slab of pink granite, almost treeless, shaped by glaciers.
A roughly 5‑km road branches off the Park Loop Road and climbs in switchbacks to the summit parking area. Up there a short paved trail circles the peak, with viewpoints to Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands in Frenchman Bay, the island’s interior lakes and the Atlantic. On clear days the view reaches the mainland mountains.
Sunrise at Cadillac is the most popular activity. Between October and early March it is the first point in the continental United States to receive sunlight; during the rest of the year other Maine locations see the first rays earlier, but the view remains outstanding. The road is also used for sunset viewing, looking west over the island.
For those who prefer to hike, the North Ridge and South Ridge trails reach the summit across open granite slopes, with views for nearly the whole ascent. From the north the climb is shorter and steeper; the South Ridge is longer and more gradual.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour at the summit for the summit trail and viewpoints. The hike up takes two to four hours round trip, depending on the route.
Best time
At sunrise or sunset, with a clear sky. Mist and low clouds are common in early summer and can obscure the view. Between October and March, the sunrise here is the first on the country’s mainland, but the road closes in winter.
How to get there
The summit road leaves Park Loop Road about 6 km from downtown Bar Harbor. Between late May and late October, driving up requires a vehicle reservation, in addition to the park entrance fee. There are no buses on the summit road. Trailers, motorhomes and long vehicles cannot go up.
Tip
Sunrise reservations sell out quickly; some are released about 90 days in advance and others two days before. Bring a jacket even in summer: it’s windy at the summit and the temperature drops well before the sun rises.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cadillac Mountain
How tall is Cadillac Mountain?
About 466 meters. No other peak in Acadia National Park, nor on the entire U.S. Atlantic coast, is higher.
Do you need a reservation to see the sunrise on Cadillac?
To drive up during the season, yes: there is a vehicle-specific reservation for sunrise, in addition to the park entrance fee. Hikers do not need that reservation.
Is it true Cadillac is the first place in the U.S. to see the sun?
Only between October and early March, considering the continental U.S. For the rest of the year, other points in Maine, further east or north, receive the sun earlier.
Can you hike up Cadillac?
Yes, via the North Ridge, shorter, and South Ridge, longer. Both follow exposed granite slopes and do not require the vehicle reservation.