Cadillac Mountain, inside Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast north of Rio de Janeiro's latitude band and is famous for being among the first places in the country to see sunrise for part of the year. The mountain itself is a granite dome you can drive to the summit of, but the park around it has miles of carriage roads and coastal trails built with Rockefeller family funding in the early 20th century. A day here works because the summit, the carriage roads, and the shoreline are all within a short drive of each other.
| Distance | 265 miles from Boston; 160 miles from Portland |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 3 hours from Portland; 5 hours from Boston |
| Getting there | Drive I-95 North to Bangor, then Route 1A to Ellsworth, then Route 3 to Bar Harbor. Acadia park pass $35/vehicle (7-day) at Hulls Cove entrance. Use Island Explorer free bus within the park. |
| Address | Hulls Cove Visitor Center, 25 Visitor Center Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Car
- Cost
- $35 park pass + gas ($45–$60 from Portland)
- Duration
- 3h from Portland
Location
Hulls Cove Visitor Center, 25 Visitor Center Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
44.3386, -68.2733 View on map
Highlights
- Cadillac Mountain summit road - a paved road to the 1,530-foot summit with 360-degree views over Frenchman Bay
- Park Loop Road - the scenic drive connecting the summit, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole
- Jordan Pond and the Jordan Pond House - a walkable loop trail with a view of the twin peaks known as The Bubbles
- Carriage roads - the crushed-stone paths built for horse-drawn carriages, now open to walking and cycling
- Thunder Hole - a narrow inlet where incoming waves compress and release with a loud report at the right tide