Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States north of Rio de Janeiro, rising to 1,530 feet above Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. From October through early March, the summit is among the first places in the contiguous United States to receive the morning sun, drawing dedicated pre-dawn visitors willing to wait in the dark for a color-saturated Atlantic sunrise. The 3.5-mile paved Summit Road winds through pink Cadillac granite to a parking area at the top, where a 0.3-mile paved loop trail circles the exposed summit with 360-degree views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, Acadia's interior forests, and on clear days, the coast of Nova Scotia. The summit is devoid of trees — scraped bare by glaciers — leaving an open granite landscape scattered with blueberry bushes that turn crimson in October. Hikers reach the summit via several trails: the Cadillac North Ridge Trail (4.4 miles round-trip from Route 233), the steeper Cadillac South Ridge Trail (7.0 miles round-trip), or the shorter West Face Trail. The summit area includes restrooms and a small gift shop. The Summit Road is open late May through November, weather permitting; in winter the summit is accessible only on foot. A timed-entry reservation system operates from sunrise to 10 a.m. in peak season, and reservations through recreation.gov sell out weeks in advance for popular dates.
Good to know
- Hours
- Road open late May–Nov, weather permitting; closed in winter. Summit accessible year-round on foot.
- Best time
- sunrise (first light in continental US, Oct–early March)
Location
Cadillac Mountain Summit Road, Acadia National Park, ME 04609
44.3525, -68.2273 View on map
Highlights
- 360-degree summit panorama spanning Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and the open Atlantic
- Among the first sunrise points in the contiguous United States from October through early March
- Exposed pink Cadillac granite summit with glacially scoured terrain and autumn blueberry shrub colors
- Multiple trail options including the moderate North Ridge Trail and the challenging South Ridge route
- Accessible via a paved Summit Road with a 0.3-mile paved summit loop for all fitness levels
Tips for visiting
- Reserve a timed-entry permit for the Summit Road at recreation.gov — required sunrise–10 a.m. in peak season
- Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunrise during the October–March first-sunrise season for a parking spot
- The Cadillac North Ridge Trail (4.4 mi round-trip) avoids Summit Road reservation headaches entirely
- Bring extra layers — the exposed summit is several degrees colder and windier than Bar Harbor below
- October visits combine first-sunrise viewing with crimson blueberry-shrub foliage across the granite plateau
When to visit
Sunrise visits are the primary draw from October through early March when the summit catches the first light in the contiguous US. Summer evenings offer long golden-hour light over Frenchman Bay with thinner crowds than early morning.
Accessibility
The paved Summit Road and the 0.3-mile paved loop at the top provide access for visitors who cannot hike. The loop surface includes some uneven granite sections. Restrooms at the summit are accessible. Hiking trails to the summit are on natural terrain and are not accessible for wheelchair users.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit Cadillac Mountain?
Driving to the summit and walking the 0.3-mile paved loop takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Hiking up from the North Ridge trailhead adds 2 to 3 hours. Plan extra time for sunrise visits: most visitors arrive 45–60 minutes before dawn.
Is Cadillac Mountain accessible to everyone?
The paved Summit Road makes the summit drivable, and the 0.3-mile paved loop at the top is manageable for most visitors including those with limited mobility. Hiking trails involve uneven granite and are not wheelchair accessible.
Is a reservation required to drive up Cadillac Mountain?
A timed-entry reservation for the Summit Road is required from sunrise to 10 a.m. during peak season. Reservations are made through recreation.gov and fill quickly. After 10 a.m. no reservation is needed.