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A must visit while in Acadia. At 1,500+ feet of elevation at its summit...it offers some of the best views of the Gulf of Maine and North Atlantic Ocean from the northeast. The highly-demanded sunrise tickets ($6) are accessible either by car via reservation which are offered months in advance OR 72 hours in advance...both options, particularly during peak season, are very difficult to get. I tried to book a sunrise tickets for our mid-week, late August trip 72 hours in advance. They are offered at 10am...I signed on exactly at 10am and was able to click the time...but while I checked out (10 seconds or so later) the tickets were gone. As we were unable to snag a sunrise ticket...we made reservations for later in the day (also $6). Daytime reservations are still required to visit...there is a both at the base of the mountain, where they check your timed ticket, as well as the Acadia Park ticket ($35). You will need BOTH to access via car. Alternatively, you can enter Cadillac Mountain and hike/walk/bike up...this does NOT require a reservation. Google estimated a 40-minute bike ride up and a 90-minute walk up if you decide those methods. There is a 3.5-mile, 10-12-minute drive up to the summit from the base of the mountain. There are some sharp turns going up along the side of the mountain...so be mindful of your speeds on your way up and down. We made our way up along the mountainside taking in the amazing views. There are a few places along the way where you can stop off. Once at the top, there were lots of parking spaces available...this is likely due to the limitations in vehicle passes available....great planning on their part. The view from up there are great from all sides. There are a few steps and some rocky terrain...you may have to climb a little bit to get to the peak viewing locations. There are some flat inclined paths to get to those locations...so be on the lookout for those. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Acadia.
This site is in the national park, but requires a separate reservation (and a separate cost). It's not a huge expense, but all these cases where your national parks pass gets you into everything but there's some kind of exception get on my nerves. I got the last laugh on the feds here though, as my national parks pass had expired but they were in a government shutdown and had adopted the compromise of collecting tickets for the mountain but not checking park passes. This probably won't be the case for most visitors, but realistically, if a site like this was privately owned it would either be closed to public access completely or it would cost five times as much. And people would pay it. I stopped in as a cap on my visit to the region, and was treated to an array of majestic views and a brief bit of exercise scrambling around the rocks. There are few places I can think of where you'd be on top of a rocky mountain peak like this so close to the shore. It reminds me of Tasmania more strongly than anything in the U.S., which is pretty close to being on the opposite side of the world (the exact point opposite to Bar Harbor is off the southwest coast of Australia). I don't think there are many places in the vast amount of Earth that lies between here and there where you'd get this kind of a view.
Cadillac mountain is the highest peak on the eastern seaboard and definitely a notable stop. We made sure to make a reservation to visit while we were in Acadia National Park. I understand the need for time management and having been to a lot of national parks at this point I know they can be very crowded. Still the reservation system and the extra cost to do this definitely takes away from the experience itself. Timing and conditions also really matter here. When we visited it was very overcast and the winds at the summit were whipping around like crazy. Once we climbed up to the top, the views were very nice in all directions (except the parking lot) but the cold constant gusts made it uncomfortable to linger and the skin on my face was stinging. The dark and sky is definitely dimmed expansive views and we walked around a bit but didn't stay long. The summit is rocky and exposed and there are paths that kind of encourage you to climb around and explore different vantage points which is nice in theory but in practice it's just kind of more of the same. I think that lighter winds and sunny skies might have made the experience better and I definitely don't regret going. I can appreciate the significance of the location, especially from a geographic and historical standpoint. I'm sure if you're able to get your reservation and you have great weather this is probably a five-star stop even if it only lasts a short time.
Mountain of Youth Located inside Acadia National Park and standing at over 1,500' stands Cadillac Mountain, which puts it as the highest point along the US Eastern Seaboard. The Good: *Spectacular views *The trails are relatively easy and you don't really need to go far to enjoy the views. So this would be a good spot to take older people and young kids. *Lots of parking *Restrooms *Has it's own gift shop The Meh: *Parking lot fills up fast as it's moody likely the most popular destination at Acadia The Ugly: *Even if you pay to get into the park, it doesn't guarantee you a chance to go up Cadillac as reservations are required. Go to Recreation.gov to make reservations. Pro Tip: they have an app. Conclusion: Must-visit spot in a must-visit National Park.
Spectacular views and trails to get a real feel for Acadia. Well worth the extra $6 to be able to visit this area. Peking was ample I think due to the timed entry Hot to see the highest point in the park and the nature center was ok too.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL views of Acadia National Park and a must-do on any visit to Acadia. This 3.5 mile drive up the mountain is a windy but enjoyable drive as you get impressive views of the park below. A lot of people will get here early for sunrise, but we came here for sunset as we heard this could be beautiful as well. It was super cloudy and foggy the day we were here. We were lucky enough to get a few minutes of gorgeous views before the fog rolled in and the sky was obscured for most of the evening and sunset. So if you're coming for sunrise or sunset, be prepared for the possibly of that cloud layer blocking the sun. It can definitely get chilly and windy on the mountain, so make you sure bring some warm clothes - especially if you'll be up there for a while or you're going for sunrise or sunset. You have to purchase a timed entrance ticket online in order to drive the summit road and get to the top of Cadillac Mountain. They're only $6/car, but they can sell out (especially for the time that you want), so make sure you book in advance to secure a time slot. Wonderful addition to any Acadia trip!
We watched the sunrise at the top of Cadillac Mountain and it was awesome! It was pretty crowded but people were able to spread out. We got there about 45 minutes before sunrise and it was already crowded.
Sitting at 1530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the East Coast of the United States. Due to its location and height, Cadillac Mountain is one of the first spots in the United States to view the sunrise, making this Acadia National Park's most popular sunrise spot. It's 3.5 miles long Cadillac Summit Road which goes directly to the top. but it was my 2nd time and I did not waste my morning sleep for it, cause the first time, I woke up, woke up others as well and it was all foggy, since then I am believer in sunset :P I came here after visiting Jordan pond and the weather was nice, but when we did end up driving the Summit Road to the top, we didn't see much when it came to scenery and views. seems my luck was not with me- suddenly it became all foggy and it was hardly 5-10 meter visibility. The Cadillac Summit Loop Trail is a short, easy hike on Cadillac Mountain that offers some of the best views in the park. you can reach here by hiking as well. Fact: Between October and March Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise Tip: Driving up Cadillac Mountain is one of the top things to do at Acadia National Park but this requires you to make special reservations for Cadillac Summit Road ahead of time To prevent overuse and overcrowding so book your time slot/reservation in advance. It's a $6 fee. (few pics are from the 2015 visit- when the weather was kind enough)
DEAR GOD! BEST SUNRISE OF MY LIFE. worth waking up at 5am. Prepare to shiver it's so cold up there (this was also November at 5am) bring blankets and coats and the sun and hand warmers. Attached about as many pictures as I could for reference! This is a must!
Just wow! Wow! Okay, I pride myself on learning stuff ( most is useless or outdated ). But, I really didn't know anything, I learned, About Bar Harbor, lobsters, Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain. Ya'll folks from Texas need to get up here in Early to mid October and visit this mountain! Then come back on June 21. I won't say much on the last date, but do your homework as what I learned and saw pictures of those up here at sun rise, it is worth it! I will talk about the views! My trip on a near cloudless late October was breath takingly spectacular! Stunning drive up the winding road seeing the fall leaves turning vibrant yellows to purples with many shades of orange and red in the middle. Purest of air, views for tens of miles, and glacier smoothed granite everywhere! The view of Bar Harbor, surrounding islands, lands and forest is purest of beauties. I could have sat here for hours taking it in! The history of the mountain's name is worth looking up, as it is interesting. Seriously, I can't ruin it for you. You can cheat, like I did, and hear it from a long time seasoned tourist guide.
Beautiful summit, make a plan to visit Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Climb up a trail or make a reservation on the Recreation.gov app. Sunrise tickets sell out in a few minutes, but same day tickets were easy to get. Several lots are available to park. Amazing views from the pink granite and barren peaks. Love seeing the archipelagos from the summit. At 1530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. From October to March, it is the first place in the US to see the sun rise. Beautiful way to start or end the day in Acadia National Park.
Absolutely stunning view, even with the fog. Be sure to get your reservation a few days in advance as they seem to fill up quickly. The reservation process is simple enough, and it's only six bucks so it's definitely a good value. The drive up is beautiful - only about 10 minutes and not remotely dangerous. To be honest once you're up there nobody chases you out past your slot time, so feel free to sit and marvel at the beauty of everything.
Bottom Line: Potentially one of the most spectacular places in the United States but that is heavily dependent on weather and cloudy days are common. My husband was pretty excited about getting up at 3:30am to go see sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. But after watching lots of videos on YouTube of others who had gone before me and looking at historical weather data for Bar Harbor I expected it to be foggy. It was super foggy on the drive up but eventually we seemed to be above the clouds. Bizarrely, at the end of May it was warm (around 70 degrees F) and humid at the summit although it was still quite chilly in Bar Harbor. We had packed winter coats, gloves, hats, etc. just for sunset on Cadillac Mountain but we didn't need them and we were thankful that we didn't have one of those freezing cold, super windy experiences. Eventually we saw a red ball in the sky, took some photos and headed off for a hike. This was by no means a life changing experience for me but it was on my husband's bucket list and other than sleeping I didn't have any plans for 3:30am on a Sunday. We were lucky that we were visiting Acadia on one of the last days of May where a timed entry ticket was not required. There was still a lot of available parking spaces in the lot but I was surprised how many people were at the summit. Couples, friends, families, barking dogs had all made the pilgrimage to Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 above sea level, is the highest mountain on the Eastern seaboard and one of the most popular sights in Acadia. For 1/2 of the year it is the place where the sun touches the US first.
I was a bit confused and thought that Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain were one in the same when reserving our time?! Ugh ... Once we were situated, we drove up the winding mountain to breathtaking views - large rocks and lakes! We saw some pretty wildflowers and birds as well. Was it worth the almost three hour drive? I don't know but we'll most likely never be here again so ... I'm glad that we experienced God's beauty in gorgeous Maine together :) We hiked a bit and even climbed some big rocks. Life is short - book the trip and buy the shoes !!! read more
Cadillac Mountain is an iconic summit in Acadia National Park. It makes for a wonderful hiking destination because of the panoramic views. From this summit you can see Porcupine Islands, Bar Harbor, and Frenchman Bay. Here are some interesting facts: Named after the French explorer, Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac. When going to the Bar Harbor area it's always more than worth it to make the short trip to the park for this magnificent pink granite. It's covered with wild blueberries, spruce, and more. I find the hike to be easy to moderate in difficulty. The hike takes longer than driving but it's the best way to see it. Connecting with nature all around. This summit is the highest point on the eastern seaboard. The Cadillac Summit Center is just as you reach the summit and it has visitor information and bathrooms (pretty clean too). read more
A must visit while in Acadia. At 1,500+ feet of elevation at its summit...it offers some of the best views of the Gulf of Maine and North Atlantic Ocean from the northeast. The highly-demanded sunrise tickets ($6) are accessible either by car via reservation which are offered months in advance OR 72 hours in advance...both options, particularly during peak season, are very difficult to get. I tried to book a sunrise tickets for our mid-week, late August trip 72 hours in advance. They are offered at 10am...I signed on exactly at 10am and was able to click the time...but while I checked out (10 seconds or so later) the tickets were gone. As we were unable to snag a sunrise ticket...we made reservations for later in the day (also $6). Daytime reservations are still required to visit...there is a both at the base of the mountain, where they check your timed ticket, as well as the Acadia Park ticket ($35). You will need BOTH to access via car. Alternatively, you can enter Cadillac Mountain and hike/walk/bike up...this does NOT require a reservation. Google estimated a 40-minute bike ride up and a 90-minute walk up if you decide those methods. There is a 3.5-mile, 10-12-minute drive up to the summit from the base of the mountain. There are some sharp turns going up along the side of the mountain...so be mindful of your speeds on your way up and down. We made our way up along the mountainside taking in the amazing views. There are a few places along the way where you can stop off. Once at the top, there were lots of parking spaces available...this is likely due to the limitations in vehicle passes available....great planning on their part. The view from up there are great from all sides. There are a few steps and some rocky terrain...you may have to climb a little bit to get to the peak viewing locations. There are some flat inclined paths to get to those locations...so be on the lookout for those. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Acadia. read more
This site is in the national park, but requires a separate reservation (and a separate cost). It's not a huge expense, but all these cases where your national parks pass gets you into everything but there's some kind of exception get on my nerves. I got the last laugh on the feds here though, as my national parks pass had expired but they were in a government shutdown and had adopted the compromise of collecting tickets for the mountain but not checking park passes. This probably won't be the case for most visitors, but realistically, if a site like this was privately owned it would either be closed to public access completely or it would cost five times as much. And people would pay it. I stopped in as a cap on my visit to the region, and was treated to an array of majestic views and a brief bit of exercise scrambling around the rocks. There are few places I can think of where you'd be on top of a rocky mountain peak like this so close to the shore. It reminds me of Tasmania more strongly than anything in the U.S., which is pretty close to being on the opposite side of the world (the exact point opposite to Bar Harbor is off the southwest coast of Australia). I don't think there are many places in the vast amount of Earth that lies between here and there where you'd get this kind of a view. read more
Cadillac mountain is the highest peak on the eastern seaboard and definitely a notable stop. We made sure to make a reservation to visit while we were in Acadia National Park. I understand the need for time management and having been to a lot of national parks at this point I know they can be very crowded. Still the reservation system and the extra cost to do this definitely takes away from the experience itself. Timing and conditions also really matter here. When we visited it was very overcast and the winds at the summit were whipping around like crazy. Once we climbed up to the top, the views were very nice in all directions (except the parking lot) but the cold constant gusts made it uncomfortable to linger and the skin on my face was stinging. The dark and sky is definitely dimmed expansive views and we walked around a bit but didn't stay long. The summit is rocky and exposed and there are paths that kind of encourage you to climb around and explore different vantage points which is nice in theory but in practice it's just kind of more of the same. I think that lighter winds and sunny skies might have made the experience better and I definitely don't regret going. I can appreciate the significance of the location, especially from a geographic and historical standpoint. I'm sure if you're able to get your reservation and you have great weather this is probably a five-star stop even if it only lasts a short time. read more
Mountain of Youth Located inside Acadia National Park and standing at over 1,500' stands Cadillac Mountain, which puts it as the highest point along the US Eastern Seaboard. The Good: *Spectacular views *The trails are relatively easy and you don't really need to go far to enjoy the views. So this would be a good spot to take older people and young kids. *Lots of parking *Restrooms *Has it's own gift shop The Meh: *Parking lot fills up fast as it's moody likely the most popular destination at Acadia The Ugly: *Even if you pay to get into the park, it doesn't guarantee you a chance to go up Cadillac as reservations are required. Go to Recreation.gov to make reservations. Pro Tip: they have an app. Conclusion: Must-visit spot in a must-visit National Park. read more
Spectacular views and trails to get a real feel for Acadia. Well worth the extra $6 to be able to visit this area. Peking was ample I think due to the timed entry Hot to see the highest point in the park and the nature center was ok too. read more
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL views of Acadia National Park and a must-do on any visit to Acadia. This 3.5 mile drive up the mountain is a windy but enjoyable drive as you get impressive views of the park below. A lot of people will get here early for sunrise, but we came here for sunset as we heard this could be beautiful as well. It was super cloudy and foggy the day we were here. We were lucky enough to get a few minutes of gorgeous views before the fog rolled in and the sky was obscured for most of the evening and sunset. So if you're coming for sunrise or sunset, be prepared for the possibly of that cloud layer blocking the sun. It can definitely get chilly and windy on the mountain, so make you sure bring some warm clothes - especially if you'll be up there for a while or you're going for sunrise or sunset. You have to purchase a timed entrance ticket online in order to drive the summit road and get to the top of Cadillac Mountain. They're only $6/car, but they can sell out (especially for the time that you want), so make sure you book in advance to secure a time slot. Wonderful addition to any Acadia trip! read more
1 year ago
We watched the sunrise at the top of Cadillac Mountain and it was awesome! It was pretty crowded but people were able to spread out. We got there about 45 minutes before sunrise and it was already crowded. read more
Sitting at 1530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the East Coast of the United States. Due to its location and height, Cadillac Mountain is one of the first spots in the United States to view the sunrise, making this Acadia National Park's most popular sunrise spot. It's 3.5 miles long Cadillac Summit Road which goes directly to the top. but it was my 2nd time and I did not waste my morning sleep for it, cause the first time, I woke up, woke up others as well and it was all foggy, since then I am believer in sunset :P I came here after visiting Jordan pond and the weather was nice, but when we did end up driving the Summit Road to the top, we didn't see much when it came to scenery and views. seems my luck was not with me- suddenly it became all foggy and it was hardly 5-10 meter visibility. The Cadillac Summit Loop Trail is a short, easy hike on Cadillac Mountain that offers some of the best views in the park. you can reach here by hiking as well. Fact: Between October and March Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise Tip: Driving up Cadillac Mountain is one of the top things to do at Acadia National Park but this requires you to make special reservations for Cadillac Summit Road ahead of time To prevent overuse and overcrowding so book your time slot/reservation in advance. It's a $6 fee. (few pics are from the 2015 visit- when the weather was kind enough) read more
1 year ago
DEAR GOD! BEST SUNRISE OF MY LIFE. worth waking up at 5am. Prepare to shiver it's so cold up there (this was also November at 5am) bring blankets and coats and the sun and hand warmers. Attached about as many pictures as I could for reference! This is a must! read more
Just wow! Wow! Okay, I pride myself on learning stuff ( most is useless or outdated ). But, I really didn't know anything, I learned, About Bar Harbor, lobsters, Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain. Ya'll folks from Texas need to get up here in Early to mid October and visit this mountain! Then come back on June 21. I won't say much on the last date, but do your homework as what I learned and saw pictures of those up here at sun rise, it is worth it! I will talk about the views! My trip on a near cloudless late October was breath takingly spectacular! Stunning drive up the winding road seeing the fall leaves turning vibrant yellows to purples with many shades of orange and red in the middle. Purest of air, views for tens of miles, and glacier smoothed granite everywhere! The view of Bar Harbor, surrounding islands, lands and forest is purest of beauties. I could have sat here for hours taking it in! The history of the mountain's name is worth looking up, as it is interesting. Seriously, I can't ruin it for you. You can cheat, like I did, and hear it from a long time seasoned tourist guide. read more
1 year ago
Beautiful summit, make a plan to visit Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Climb up a trail or make a reservation on the Recreation.gov app. Sunrise tickets sell out in a few minutes, but same day tickets were easy to get. Several lots are available to park. Amazing views from the pink granite and barren peaks. Love seeing the archipelagos from the summit. At 1530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. From October to March, it is the first place in the US to see the sun rise. Beautiful way to start or end the day in Acadia National Park. read more
Absolutely stunning view, even with the fog. Be sure to get your reservation a few days in advance as they seem to fill up quickly. The reservation process is simple enough, and it's only six bucks so it's definitely a good value. The drive up is beautiful - only about 10 minutes and not remotely dangerous. To be honest once you're up there nobody chases you out past your slot time, so feel free to sit and marvel at the beauty of everything. read more
4 years ago
Bottom Line: Potentially one of the most spectacular places in the United States but that is heavily dependent on weather and cloudy days are common. My husband was pretty excited about getting up at 3:30am to go see sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. But after watching lots of videos on YouTube of others who had gone before me and looking at historical weather data for Bar Harbor I expected it to be foggy. It was super foggy on the drive up but eventually we seemed to be above the clouds. Bizarrely, at the end of May it was warm (around 70 degrees F) and humid at the summit although it was still quite chilly in Bar Harbor. We had packed winter coats, gloves, hats, etc. just for sunset on Cadillac Mountain but we didn't need them and we were thankful that we didn't have one of those freezing cold, super windy experiences. Eventually we saw a red ball in the sky, took some photos and headed off for a hike. This was by no means a life changing experience for me but it was on my husband's bucket list and other than sleeping I didn't have any plans for 3:30am on a Sunday. We were lucky that we were visiting Acadia on one of the last days of May where a timed entry ticket was not required. There was still a lot of available parking spaces in the lot but I was surprised how many people were at the summit. Couples, friends, families, barking dogs had all made the pilgrimage to Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 above sea level, is the highest mountain on the Eastern seaboard and one of the most popular sights in Acadia. For 1/2 of the year it is the place where the sun touches the US first. read more
2 years ago
A great National Park. Highly recommend. Challenge for bikers. Great for hikers. Immeasurable natural beauty. $30 for a week long car pass to access the Park. $6 additional daily to get up to the Cadillac Mountain summit via a timed entry. And, who would have thought we were almost all speaking French. Recommend a visit. Mark. read more
While in Acadia National Park, head to the top @ Cadillac Mountain for the best view...always best on a clear day.. Been here twice, once when foggy, rainy, windy and cold and on a nice clear day. Also come to watch the sunset from atop Cadillac Mountain - it's a very nice view along with star gazing. Bring a warm jacket especially at night as it gets windy and cold. If you want to take pictures of the stars at night, you need a steady hand, rock/platform for tripod to stay still with the right settings. Needless to say, don't look directly at the sun..it's blinding.. It is truly amazing view from a top. Just be careful as it may be slippery. Also visit the Cadillac Mountain souvenir shop to bring some memories home with you. Definitely a good time taking a ton of of pictures here. read more
5 years ago
We made our reservation this am for one pm. The fee was 6.00 even tho we have the annual Military Park pass. As a note, I don't see why a fee. There are no services at the top, Either trash containers or bathrooms or shelters. On the other side of the coin, It is so worth it to go up. The tallest mountain in Maine. You can see for miles and all the islands near Bar Harbor. A real over view. It was terrific. read more
5 years ago
I've been coming to Acadia National Park for over 20 years and always make sure to make it to the top of Cadillac Mountain for the spectacular views. This year, post COVID, Acadia I guess finally realized that so many others also wanted to see these views and implemented a timed ticket reservation. The parking lot in year's past have been quite the hassle finding a spot, but eventually doable, but now there's this mandatory car ticketing procedure. And, you have to pay. But, if you're on a bike or hiking in, no timed ticket or charge. You have to go to recreation.gov and purchase your tickets. Their website quotes, "The number of vehicle reservations are limited as follows: Cadillac Summit Road - Sunrise: 1 vehicle reservation per 7 days. Cadillac Summit Road - Daytime: 1 vehicle reservation per day. Entry Time. Cadillac Summit Road - Sunrise reservations have a 2-hour entry window, and Cadillac Summit Road - Daytime reservations have a 30-minute entry window." I'll also say you CANNOT get these tickets when you purchase your entry pass into Acadia; you have to go to www.recreation.gov. If you don't do it in advance, there's a chance you'll not be going the day you want even though Acadia really is a multi-day tour. Anyway, we were able to get same-day tickets and although it was crowded, we did get a parking spot rather quickly. The main path at the top of the mountain is about a half mile concreted, but with some rocky steps. It's rated easy but it's not completely flat; there's some down and uphill steps. There are also numerous places to go off the path and onto the beautiful granite; just stay off the plant life. If you're really adventurous, you can get very close to the edge where it's pretty certain death if you fall. There's something for everyone. Bad legs or knees? Stay on the path. It can and does get quite windy so consider bringing a lightweight hoodie or jacket. Also, the weather can be tricky so you might get stuck with fog which is cool, but blocks the awesome views below. They have a gift shop which also sells water and snacks. There's a bathroom attached to the gift shop. Plenty of people, but also plenty of space to allow spacing and be able to go get your perfect picture. An absolute must when you visit Acadia National Park. read more
Definitely a must-see while in Bar Harbor! If you plan to drive your car to the top, you need to buy a park pass AND make a reservation online. We did both and didn't have any problems finding a parking spot at the top. Although there was a lot of people up there, there's so much room that it's easy to spread out and find your own space to sit and take in the scenery. The views are truly fantastic! There's also a gift shop at the top and restrooms. Driving up top: go slow. You're sharing the road with other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and in most parts there is no median. Keep space between you and the car in front of you, and be mindful you don't know what's around curves. read more
One sight synonymous with Acadia National Park is Cadillac Mountain. We were fortunate enough to go up on our first two nights. The fee is $6, but you can easily purchase on the recreation.gov app and modify the timings to your pleasure based on availability. We were too lazy to do sunrise, but sunset was a great option for us. We were there for Labor Day weekend, so Sunset was around 7. We planned a 6pm slot. Just factor the timings based on the sunset time. It was also very cloudy on the first day, so we didn't catch much sunset then. We did get a peek on the second night, but then in started to rain. In other words, weather is a bit unpredictable. But it's still breathtaking to go up there. Bundle up though - it's very very frigid up there! read more
Drove up here to experience the sunrise in July. It was beautiful! I was surprised with how busy it was close to 5am, so that was a little bit of a negative, but what can you do on a Friday morning. When we came, the clouds and fog were still covering the valleys so we didn't truly see the sunrise, but it was still beautiful to check the sun coming up along the clouds. The views and vistas are beautiful. I think next time, I'd probably hike up here for sunset rather than catch the sunrise. The drive is easy, but not as rewarding as if you'd hike up there yourself. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
If you have never visited Acadia National Park, then you need to know that this is a MUST see on a trip here. That being said, it has become "loved too much" which has necessitated a reservation system in order to drive to the summit. This is completely understandable considering the limited parking capacity. However, the effort is completely worth it!!! The views are absolutely fantastic! read more
Part of Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain gives you a clear view of Bar Harbor and the sea. It's a very high drive, and not going to lie, there were some curves that had me clutching my steering wheel tightly. There are a lot of pull-offs in the way up (or down) and two parking lots near the top for fantastic views. Separate parking passes are required at certain times of the year, and there is a separate guard station to control the amount of visitors on the mountain. If you want to see a sunset, get your parking spot and viewing location early. read more
3 years ago
It's probably the most popular destination within Acadia National Park. There are two ways to ascend, by foot or by vehicle. If by vehicle, a reservation through the National Park Service website must be obtained. The reservation is only opened two days before the chosen date. We tried to reserve the sunrise time but were gone within minutes. We managed to get 10:30 a.m. admission for our two vehicles. When we got to the summit, it was foggy and misty. We couldn't see a thing. But thirty minutes later, the sky cleared, and the 360-degree view was stunning. There was no issue with parking. read more
4 years ago
If you are planning a trip to Acadia National Park, take a few extra minutes to sign up for an account with Recreation.gov. This is the same site through which National Parks passes are purchased. Here you can book a reservation to enter Cadillac Mountain. Keep in mind, the access point, if you happen to be in another area of the park, is around Park Loop Road which is one way. So if you're down enjoying the Ocean Walk at Sand Beach, factor in the 35 mph drive around the loop to get all the way around to Cadillac Mountain. Once through the gate, it's not that bad an ascent in your car. It's a beautiful drive and once at the top there are a couple of lots...we went twice. Once in the middle of the day in early June and there was plenty of parking. We also went one evening to watch the sunset and the parking was filled quickly. There are pullouts though as you are driving up which, while at a little lower elevation, afford the same gorgeous view of the setting sun. When we went it was VERY windy at the top so be prepared with a jacket or windbreaker. We took up two slices of Blueberry Pie we got in Bar Harbor which we enjoyed as the sun sunk slowly behind a small layer of clouds. There is a trail of sorts at the top and a lot of incredible bedrock along with sweeping views of the majestic Atlantic Ocean, Bar Harbor and its islands. It's just a very humbling experience when you consider the size of you compared to the vastness of nature. Highly, highly recommend along with every other thing there is to do in this beautiful park. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
Cadillac Mountain is a special and unique place. It is inside Acadia National Park and immediately above the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. In all of New England, there is not quite anything like this near the region's coastline. The road up from Bar Harbor winds its way toward the top and people have pulled over to savor the exceptional views, or photograph them. Views are available across an expansive arc, from looking at the lakes and forests of Maine toward the west to Bar Harbor and how its harbor is connected to the Atlantic Ocean immediately below. Cruise ships calling on Bar Harbor, where they drop anchor rather than dock, are also seen from up above. The best seasons to visit Cadillac Mountain are autumn and summer. I have only been here in autumn. The colors seen from up above can be spectacular. Note that many people come up to experience the sunsets from the top. The experience can differ depending on the sky, and you may be above the clouds. This could diminish your enjoyment, or lend some interest to the experience ... and your photos. Your mileage may vary. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because of the price to enter Acadia National Park. Prices for the more popular national parks has gotten a little high, and I'm including ones in the West such as Joshua Tree. You are required to pay the entrance fee even if you only plan to see Cadillac Mountain if in Bar Harbor, which doesn't take very long to do. It's probably better to plan a lengthier trip to Acadia National Park, which sits on the big land mass that is Mount Desert Island, and which is separated from the coast of Maine by a mere channel and has a two lane bridge to get to it. That way, you can take advantage of the validity of the entrance pass and spend a few days or so seeing Acadia's other coves, beaches, rocky outcroppings, light houses, vistas, and then some. read more
4 years ago
Can't miss at Acadia. Make sure you logon for tickets early especially if you are trying to get the coveted sunrise. The rest of tickets are pretty easy to get. Beautiful view. Parking is fairly easy because of the limited tickets. Experience you won't want to miss! read more
5 years ago
We came here for the sunrise. We didn't do our research, so we didn't know we had to pre register to drive to the top. However, there is a hike to get to the top. It's obviously dark, but we used flashlights. We were a little late, so we didn't have time to make it all of the way to the top before the sunrise. We found a spot that worked though, and we were the only ones there. We certainly liked that. The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking. Truly felt like a gift from God himself. I would recommend this to anyone in the area!! read more
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3 years ago
Cadillac Mountain - parks - Updated August 2026
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