Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail In Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail

Location: Acadia National Park
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.

Catch Some Great Views on Cadillac Mountain

I’ll say it: I will do just about anything to get a good view of somewhere beautiful. I’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, “heck 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.

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is one of the best viewpoints of the ocean on the East Coast. But 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 and a big smile to greet the view.

Breathtaking Scenery

Since it’s the tallest mountain in Acadia National Park, sitting at 1517 feet above sea level. It is also the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard of the United States.  Cadillac Mountain offers sweeping views of the surrounding area. Catching a glimpse of sparkling ocean water of Frenchman Bay, fascinating rock formations, pink granite, and lush greenery all in one glimpse seems impossible, but it’s very possible here. On a clear day you can look east to the Schoodic Peninsula and take in the breathtaking views. Acadia National Park is notorious for shocking visitors with a vast combination of landscapes. Cadillac Mountain is the best place in the park to take them all in.

Looking toward your north west you can take in a view of Eagle Lake and inland Maine. 

History of Cadillac Mountain

It used to be known as Green Mountain, but the Cadillac Mountain Summit has been serving views for centuries. For thousands of years, this area was home to the Wabanaki people. Until a European settlement began making the area their home in the 1600s. During that time, the summit was one of the most effective tools that the settlers had to map and understand the coastline.

By the 1800s, Cadillac Mountain was a well-known, popular tourist destination for visitors from all over. In 1908, the area was purchased and became part of Sieur de Monts National Monument. Which later would be known as Acadia National Park.

Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail Overview

To get to the highest peak in Acadia National Park you will start by following along the Park Loop Road at the Hulls Cove Visitors Center. Once on the Park Loop Road you will see signs leading you to Cadillac Mountain and the Cadillac Mountain Road. 

This 0.4-mile loop 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 as well as the highest point in Acadia National Park, and stay there for as long as you’d like.

Be sure to stop while on this scenic drive 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 Cadillac Summit Loop Trail is mostly paved and will take you all around the summit of Cadillac Mountain. This allows 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. Sometimes it’s nice to know a bit about the sight that is making your jaw fall to the floor, right?

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 on the drive up Cadillac Summit Rd and at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Because Acadia is one of the most popular national parks and Cadillac Mountain is such a popular destination, visitors are required to book a time slot to visit through the National Park Service. The vehicle reservation system is quick and easy. Just don’t wait too long to book your spot for the summit parking area, or you might miss your chance. Visit the recreation.gov website to reserve your time slot in advance. This system utilizes a timed entry system, however it does not have a specific departure time. 

The dates that require reservations will be during peak season. They start sometime in early May and run through sometime near the end of October. Reservations are available 90 days in advance of the date you’d like to visit. Also 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 passes. Additionally, you CANNOT make reservations in the park. It’s time to set a reminder on your calendar and do whatever you must to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Sunrise & Sunset

From early October to early March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place you can see sunrise in the United States. As you can imagine, a panoramic view like this one is sure to bring in visitors during sunrise and sunset.

While waking up at 4 AM to drive up the mountain, find a spot, and sit and wait may not sound like fun, I promise the view is worth it. Each morning, a unique swirl of colors greets all those who woke early to see the magnificent sunrise.

It will be very crowded for sunrise and sunset; you’ve been warned. If you hike 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 sunrise or sunset. 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. Be prepared 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. 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. However, $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 covers your entrance fee at every park in the national park system. That means it 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 talking 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 stock up on everything you need to make the rest of your family and friends a tad 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.

If you plan to stargaze, be sure to wear warm clothes, bring an extra flashlight, 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.

Amenities in the Area

One of my favorite parts about Acadia National Park is how intertwined it is with the towns on Mount Desert Island. Being a sizeable and most popular 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, hop on a boat tour, 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!

If you are looking for a smaller less touristy town then I suggest Southwest Harbor. Located on what is known as the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. If I am going to be hiking on that side of the island I stay here. It has a small town feel without being too overrun with people. You can also catch the ferry out to Cranberry Island from here. 

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. If I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t deal with the traffic and stress of trying to see the sunrise from the summit more than once. But it’s something that everyone needs to see at least once in life.

If you would rather hike up the mountain and not deal with the hassle of reserving an entrance time you can hike up the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail which is located along Route 3 by the entrance to Blackwoods Campground. You can also hike up Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail which has parking along park loop road. Both trails are rated as advanced. Having hiked both, the South Ridge Trail is harder, but I like it better. 

Looking for something a little easier? Check out Gorham Mountain or Bubble Rock.