You Need To Hike Cadillac Mountain Now
Catch Some of the Best Views in the US on Cadillac Mountain
I’ll say it: I will do just about anything to get a good view of somewhere beautiful. We’ve hiked through insane brush, scrambled up more-than-sketchy rocks, crossed rivers, and done trails that kicked my ass time and time again, all to see something beautiful. I’m not even picky about the landscape of the view. As long as it’s something that will make me take a deep breath, pat myself on the back, and think, “hell yeah, being alive on earth is the coolest thing ever.” I’ll drive miles and miles for a view, answer riddles to trolls under bridges, and commit to naming my next dog after the view – as long as I get to see it in the end. A hike on Cadillac Mountain Summit only required a short drive and no trolls!
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is one of the best viewpoints I’ve ever visited on this earth! It’s also one of the easiest views to enjoy. It doesn’t require a 12-mile hike, battling bugs, or braving the heat. All you need is reservations, a car to drive to the top, and a big smile to greet the view.
Breathtaking Scenery
Since it’s the tallest mountain in Acadia National Park, sitting at 1522 feet above sea level, the hike on Cadillac Mountain offers sweeping views of the surrounding area. Catching a glimpse of sparkling ocean water, tall pine trees, fascinating rock formations, and lush greenery all in one glimpse seems impossible, but it’s very possible here. Acadia National Park is notorious for shocking visitors with a vast combination of landscapes all harmoniously cuddled next to each other, and Cadillac Mountain is the best place in the park to take them all in.
History of Cadillac Mountain
Formerly known as Green Mountain, Cadillac Mountain Summit has been serving views for centuries. For thousands of years, this area was home to the Wabanaki people until European settlements began making the area their home in the 1600s. During that time, the summit was one of the most effective tools to map and understand the coastline.
By the 1800s, Cadillac Mountain was a well-known, popular tourist destination for visitors from all over. The area was purchased in 1908, becoming part of Sieur de Monts National Monument, later known as Acadia National Park.
Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail Overview
This 0.4-mile hike of Cadillac Mountain summit welcomes visitors of various fitness levels and mobility restrictions. Though there are a few trails you can choose to hike to the top loop, most people end up hopping in a car. Taking the 3.5-mile drive to the top, and meandering around the loop leisurely. You don’t even have to do the entire thing; you can quite literally hop out of your car, find a great viewpoint, and stay there for as long as you’d like.
Be sure to stop at the many scenic overlooks on the drive up because some of them offer incredibly interesting and unique views that you won’t want to miss. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have the best chance at securing an Insta-worthy selfie before getting to the top?
Once parked, the path is mostly paved and will allow you to hike around the summit of Cadillac Mountain, allowing you to see all of Acadia National Park in its glory. Be on the lookout for small placards and signs that detail the geology and natural formations you’re looking at because sometimes it’s nice to know a bit about the sight that is making your jaw fall to the floor, right?
Summit Trail Logistics at a Glance
Length: 0.4-mile loop
Height: 1,517 feet
Elevation Gain: 52 feet
Type: Loop
My Rating: Easy
Handicap Accessible
Dog Friendly: Yes, for a well-behaved dog.
Would we do it again: Maybe, depends on the time of year.
Reserving Time to Visit
PAY ATTENTION!! Okay, sorry for yelling! I just didn’t want you to miss this part because if you don’t, you might not be able to soak up the beauty that’s waiting at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Because it’s such a popular spot – rightfully so – visitors are required to book a time slot to visit. It’s quick and easy, but don’t wait too long to do it, or you might miss your chance. Visit the recreation.gov website to reserve your time slot in advance.
The dates that require reservations in 2022 will be during peak season, May 25 – October 22. Reservations are available 90 days in advance of the date you’d like to visit. 70% of them held until 10 AM ET two days prior to the visiting date. These reservations cost $6 in addition to your park entrance fee. Additionally, you CANNOT make reservations in the park. It’s time to set a reminder on your calendar or whatever you must to reserve a spot ahead of time.
Sunrise & Sunset
From October 7th to March 6th, Cadillac Mountain is the first place that sunrise can be seen in the entire United States. As you can imagine, a panoramic view like this one is sure to bring in visitors during sunrise and sunset, especially if they get to check off a bucket list item at the same time.
While waking up at 4 AM to drive up the mountain, find a spot, and sit and wait may sound cold and dark to many, I promise the view is worth it. Each morning, a unique swirl of colors greets all those who braved the early trek. Cadillac Mountain will reward them with one of the most memorable ways to start their day.
It will be very crowded for sunrise and sunset; you’ve been warned. If you hike Cadillac Mountain down around the loop a bit more, further away from the busy parking lot, you should be able to find a less populated spot to watch the sun go up or down. Keep in mind that the popularity of this daily occurrence also means that booking car reservations during these time slots will be that much more difficult. Prepare yourself to try a few different slots if you are staying for multiple days.
Entering Acadia National Park
The most common type of pass purchased when entering Acadia National Park to visit Cadillac Mountain is the “Acadia Pass” which is $30 per vehicle. This pass is good for 7 days, so if you’re planning on visiting the park a few days in a row, this is perfect. If you’re on a motorcycle or walking in, your fees may be a bit different, but $30 is a good benchmark to keep in mind, especially since most visitors drive into the park by car.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but if you plan to visit national parks in the US more than 3 times in a calendar year, you have to get the Annual National Park Pass. At this point, I should be a brand ambassador for this pass, but it really is such a great deal. Ringing in at $80 for the year, the annual pass will get your entrance fee waived at every national park. The pass pays for itself in just 3 visits and we can’t watch a bargain pass us by around here!
Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop
It’s a bit funny, I’m so often writing about desolate wilderness or backcountry hiking trails telling people to be sure to pee far enough away from water sources, but because it brings in so many visitors, the Cadillac Mountain Summit is well equipped. At the top, you’ll find a stocked gift shop and pretty nice restrooms. As someone who has had their fair share of traumatic national park “honey-pot” experiences, I don’t say that lightly. It’s not like using the bathroom at a resort, but it gets the job done without traumatizing you.
The gift shop is a great place to get everything you need to make your family and friends jealous. Bring them back stickers, hats, or shirts to show them what they missed out on by not agreeing to a 3:30 AM wake-up time to make the sunrise. That’ll show ‘em!
Spectacular Stargazing Spot
Acadia has some of the best stargazing in the country! Cadillac Mountain makes you feel as if you could almost reach up and touch them. Though reservations are not required to visit the Cadillac Mountain Summit at night, you’ll need to check the status before going to ensure the road to the top is open. And make sure to bring your flashlight is you plan to hike Cadillac Mountain summit loop trail at night.
If you plan to stargaze, be sure to wear warm clothes and of course, some delicious snacks! No nighttime adventure is complete without a little fuel to keep you going. Try your hand at astrophotography if you dare! This is probably one of the best places to get a good shot without knowing what you’re doing #lifehack.
Amenities in the Area
One of my favorite parts about Acadia National Park is how intertwined it is with the town of Bar Harbor. Being a sizeable tourist town, Bar Harbor is filled with amazing places to grab dinner, tons of souvenir shops, and a number of different activity options. During the summer months go kayaking, rent bikes, or simply enjoy the sunshine with an ice cream cone in hand. If you stop at Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, you can grab a cone with lobster ice cream on it. Personally, I like to keep my lobster and ice cream separate, but hey, to each their own!
Bar Harbor is the most adorable town! I’d say even if it wasn’t smashed up next to Acadia, it’s worth a visit all on its own. If you go during the end of the peak season, think late September or early October, you can find extremely discounted merchandise in all the shops. You can grab some amazing sweats, sweatshirts, and t-shirts for wayyyy cheap as the shops try to clear out inventory before winter!
Lodging Near Acadia National Park
Whether you’re a camping fiend or want to spend your evenings in a luxury hotel, Bar Harbor has you covered. There is a plethora of amazing campsites with great amenities such as on-site dining options, nightly events, and fire pits. Of course, you can always find quaint Airbnbs or other home rental options if you’d rather have a home-like experience. If you are looking for something away from downtown, there are also some great oceanfront cabin options.
Be sure to book your lodging in advance. If Cadillac Mountain taught you anything, it’s that people flock to this corner of the earth for many reasons. All those people require beds to sleep in at night and booking happens fast. To avoid overspending and under-enjoying, stay on top of your reservation game. You won’t regret it!
Cadillac Mountain Awaits
Just one of the many gems in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain has been welcoming visitors for centuries. Even before it is what we know it as today, native people were climbing to the top to map the area and enjoy the view, I’m sure. I’m going to be honest here. I probably wouldn’t deal with the traffic & stress of trying to see the sunrise from the summit more than once. However, it’s something that everyone needs to see at least once in life.
An Acadia trip is SO easy to plan, just dive right in. The internet is a great wealth of resources for figuring out how to make the most out of your visit. I even have a wide library of blogs on my site for all of my favorite Acadia National Park activities. We go to this park as often as I can, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert! I am fortunate enough to live about 3 1/2 hours away. Obviously, a very humble expert. ☺ Enjoy!
