Visiting Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park: Everything You Need to Know

Probably the most famous spot in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain is a very popular destination for hiking, taking in the views of Mount Desert Island and Penobscot Bay, and for enjoying sunrise and sunset on the park. Because it’s such a special place, it’s also one of the few places in Acadia NP with controlled access, meaning you need a reservation to go up Cadillac Mountain. If you’re thinking “Darn it, I’ll be there tomorrow and I didn’t make a reservation” we’ll give you some tips for trying for last minute entry or other ways to access it.

Have you done sunrise or sunset on Cadillac Mountain? I have to say that sunset is my favorite time here and it’s really just the most beautiful view of Acadia National Park and the surrounding waters. We’ve got the scoop on planning your visit to Cadillac Mountain and more ideas for exploring Acadia. If you have any questions or need more recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great trip to Maine!

Why Visit the Cadillac Mountain Summit

Visiting Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is perhaps the most famous thing to do in the park, but it’s not the most common activity or hiking spot. Due to the limited access to the road up Cadillac Mountain, many visitors don’t get the chance to experience the views and trails on this gorgeous granite mountain. We’re going to help you make a plan so you DO get to enjoy Cadillac Mountain and make the most of your time here. The National Park Service limits both the number of visitors and the duration of visit to ensure everyone who has the foresight to plan can have the best visit possible.

As you’re making your itinerary for Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor (visiting both go hand in hand) consider the type of Cadillac Mountain experience you want to have. The options are sunrise, mid day (designated entry time), or sunset and each time of day is quite different. For sunrise visits, you’ll be granted access through the National Park entry booth well before the sun starts to come up, very much like how access for Haleakala Sunrise is managed on Maui. If you’ve secured a daytime pass for Cadillac Mountain, you’ll be granted entry from your start time until a half hour before the end of your entry window.

If you’re doing sunset on Cadillac Mountain (my favorite), you are granted entry starting about an hour before sunset (varies through the year). Sunrise is best viewed from the summit of Cadillac Mountain or on the eastern side of the dome, while sunset is great from either the summit or the west side parking area. If you want to see the sun as it crosses the horizon, you’ll need to be in the appropriate location for that depending on if it’s sunrise or sunset. You’ll find that even with the controlled entry to go up Cadillac Mountain it still stays quite busy at the summit.

There is a lot of parking, but because of staggered entry, where you’ll find your parking spot may vary. Wherever you land, be sure that you pay a visit to the summit visitor center (mostly a gift shop) to get your National Park Passport stamp, as there’s one specific to Cadillac Mountain. At the top, follow the trails all around the summit area, traversing the granite caps and boulders. There are lots of small exhibits as you wander, so take time to read things and learn a little bit. When you’ve had your fill of the beautiful views from the summit towards Nova Scotia and beyond the Bass Harbor Lighthouse (cannot be seen from the summit), make your way back down Cadillac Mountain to allow others access.

Tips for a Great Trip up Cadillac Mountain

How you spend your time on Cadillac Mountain is up to you, but I think the best use of your time, whether you’re there for sunrise, midday or sunset is to hike around on the designated trails. Being a mix of exposed granite and what seems like taiga forest, the top of Cadillac Mountain is really fun and unique to explore. Our kids love it and love getting to jump from rock to rock, like the bouldering we’ve done in Joshua Tree National Park. It’s just such an unusual landscape that the small hikes around the summer are easy and a good way to spend your time.

If you’re here for a midday visit, the nature trails are great to wander, but then it’s also really nice to just bring a picnic up here to the summit and enjoy the view with your lunch. There are plenty of seating areas, both structured and natural, and as long as you clean up after yourself and don’t feed the wildlife, you’ll have a great meal with a beautiful view.

For the more adventurous visitors, Cadillac Mountain can really be the start of a challenging day. There are two options if you want to hike from the top down or from beyond the controlled entry point upwards to the Cadillac Mountain summit. Either the North Ridge or South Ridge Trails can help you traverse the dome, but they can be difficult and on peak summer day, they may be quite crowded. If you’re one of the folks that wanted to get to the summit but didn’t get a driving reservation for the road, hiking one of the two trails up is your best bet for access. You can ride your bike up the Cadillac Mountain Road, but it’s three miles of an intense climb. You’ll need to show you have a park pass before you ride up, and then you need to be extra safe as you go, both up and down. The road is very windy and it’s a difficult ride, so be wise about whether this is the right choice for you.

Being Prepared for Cadillac Mountain: Hiking and Picnics

I’m the guy who always tells you to dress warmly, because I’m always cold and when you’re on top of Cadillac Mountain it can be pretty windy and chilly. For sunrise and sunset visits the chill factor is real, so be smart about it, especially if you’re heading to the summit with kiddos. During summer months even on the warmest days, sunrise with a breeze off Frenchmen’s Bay below can be nippy.

If you’re planning on hiking from the summit (or to the summit) hiking boots are recommended. You’ll find that the trails are rocky and you’ll want that extra support. The nature trails around the summit aren’t bad so you can just wear regular shoes, sandals, or maybe even flip flops, but still be careful. For anyone hiking on the North or South Ridge Trails systems, you may want to use hiking poles. The added stability can be very helpful, particularly on the way down from the Cadillac Mountain Summit. There is no food at the summit, so if you’re planning on spending a fair amount of time here you’ll need to bring your snacks or picnic. Pack out what you bring up to keep things clean and easier for the park rangers to manage.

When you’re heading up Cadillac Mountain, be sure to bring your camera. A telephoto lens is nice to have for photographing the passing ships and the surrounding islands, but it’s also great to capture beautiful photos of the wildlife. Eagles and porcupines are the most common animals seen on Cadillac Mountain, so be ready with your camera to get some epic shots in a truly unique landscape.

How to Access Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP

As noted, you’ll need reservations to access the Cadillac Mountain Road to the summit. You can make your entry reservation up to 90 days in advance and you’ll be able to choose your time slot. If you can’t get a reservation far out, 70% of the reservations are released two days before their date, so just be sure to login to get them at that time. Pay attention to whether or not you’re choosing a daytime entry or a specific designation for sunrise or sunset. You will need to have a National Park Pass or Acadia National Park entry. This is an additional fee to the Cadillac Mountain reservation.

As you head up the mountain, there are several pull outs for enjoying the view to the summit. Use them to keep everyone more safe on this dangerous road. As you get to the top there is either the western parking area or the eastern one at the actual summit. Park wherever you can get it and then walk to whatever viewpoint you’re hoping for. DO NOT PARK ON THE ROAD. There are lots of signs telling you where you can and cannot park, so be mindful of them.