Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia National Park

While Acadia National Park in Maine may have many claims to fame, including its hundreds of miles of carriage roads, being one of the most pet friendly, and being the first National Park east of the Mississippi. Possibly the most iconic of these claims are those gorgeous sunrises on Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest peak on the eastern seaboard. So, what makes sunrise at Acadia so special?

What Makes Sunrise At Acadia Special?

Did you know that from October 7 to March 6 each year, the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the first place to see the sunrise in the United States? Do you know how I feel about a good sunrise or sunset? I’m a total sucker. But even if you don’t get to experience the first sunrise in the United States, Acadia has some truly spectacular sunrise spots that you shouldn’t miss!

Who Gets To See The First Sunrise In Warmer Months?

Well, that honor goes to Mars Hill in Aroostook County, Maine, near the Canadian border. This is mainly because, in winter, the sun rises a little more to the south. Making it so that sunrise moves north along the horizon during the warmer months.

Know Before You Go: Acadia Edition

Acadia has an entrance fee. From May through October, all visitors are required to have a park entrance pass. All vehicles must display a park entrance pass clearly visible through the windshield. Online sales are available anytime at Recreation.gov

Private vehicles are $30 for a 7-day pass
Motorcycles – $25
Per Person – $15 (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian)
Acadia Annual Pass – $55
American The Beautiful Pass – $80 (purchase here)
2021 – They are implementing a timed entry for Cadillac Mountain Summit that started April 1st at 10 am.
Private vehicles are $30 for a 7-day pass
Motorcycles – $25
Per Person – $15 (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian)
Acadia Annual Pass – $55
American The Beautiful Pass – $80 (purchase here)
2021 – They are implementing a timed entry for Cadillac Mountain Summit that started April 1st at 10 am.

You can make your reservations through Recreation.gov
Reservations need to be made May 26 – Oct 19
This is in addition to an entrance pass is required for all locations in Acadia National Park
Print, download, or screenshot your confirmation code to display since connectivity can be spotty approaching the check station
There is an entry time window for each vehicle reservation – two hours for sunrise and 30 minutes for daytime
There is no limit on the length of time visitors may remain parked in the reservation area
30% of available vehicle reservations are released 90 days ahead of each calendar date on a rolling basis
70% are released at 10 am ET two days ahead of each date to allow visitors a bit more trip spontaneity
Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks – so bring your pups!

Find out more at www.thewellwornshoes.com/sunriseatacadia

Know Before You Go: Sunrise At Acadia Edition

Needless to say, taking in a sunrise at Acadia is pretty special.

Be aware that almost everyone goes to Cadillac Mountain for sunrise. However, I suspect that with the new reservation system, that won’t be the case anymore. For that reason, you should get there pretty early (I suggest at least 2 hours, and that’s one early wake-up) and be prepared to share that gorgeous sunrise with at least 200-400 other people! Don’t get me wrong, it’s still pretty magical.

Getting to Cadillac Mountain is fairly simple by car on the twisting 3.5-mile Park Loop Road.

If you are looking for a bit more of a challenge, you can always hike to the summit (make sure to bring your headlamp and leave earlier than you think you should). You could hike the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail for amazing views, and you can jump on the trail right from Blackwoods Campground.

I suggest dressing warmly (even in August, sunrise is pretty chilly). I wore this even in August!

Bring bug spray, especially during the summer and early fall, I always use this.

Click here for more outdoor gear

Sunrise on Cadillac is certainly a photographer’s event, and you will see many with professional cameras and tripods. I suggest a good camera, tripod, and lens! You don’t want to miss taking a few pics of these sunrises!

Click here for camera gear

A Little History

It’s not difficult to understand why people flock to Cadillac Mountain to be the first to see the sunrise in the United States. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. Many sun gods and goddesses ride or drive a vessel of some sort across the sky. It’s interesting that we still connect, on some level, with those ancient cultures that worshipped the sun.

Sunrise on Cadillac

If you do decide to go to Cadillac Mountain for sunrise, don’t let those crowds dampen your spirits. I think it’s probably a little calmer with the new reservation system. Enjoy the sunrise, maybe take a few pictures, and relish the moment that you are witnessing the first sunrise in the United States (if you are there between Oct 7 and March 6).

Know that even though you will probably sit in an hour’s worth of traffic to get out of that parking lot (unless you hike it), it’s worth it. To touch on something inherent in us that connects back so far to ancient civilizations and ancestors.

If you can’t tell, I’m a total sunrise and sunset person. I’ve never actually taken in the first sunrise in the U.S. on Cadillac Mountain because I’ve never visited Acadia during the right season.

The Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia

1. Cadillac Mountain –

Cadillac Mountain is undoubtedly the most popular spot to take in the sunrise, but that’s for a very good reason. It’s a pretty freakin spectacular sunrise location! Although I’d imagine that the new reservation system has made sunrise at Cadillac a bit calmer, that system also takes a bit of spontaneity out of catching a sunrise. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always plan where I am going to take in a sunrise, and I almost always end up racing the sun and hoping I don’t miss it!

2. The Shore Path in Bar Harbor –

In the town of Bar Harbor, the Shore Path means easy access but can also mean more people. Although, in my experience, downtown is pretty dead before sunrise and even for a few hours after. Not everyone wants to set an alarm to catch the sunrise on a trip (crazy, I know). However, the mooring of the Margret Todd at the Bar Harbor Inn pier and the fishing boats coming and going contribute to a unique sunrise experience.

3. Ocean Drive On Park Look Road –

This is one of my absolute favorite spots to take in sunrise at Acadia. I just hike Ocean Path and find different locations to take it in. And there have been times when I’ve been the only person here. The great thing about Ocean Drive is that it’s a few miles long, and there is plenty of room for people. I suggest checking out Ocean Path towards Otter Cliffs for a truly epic sunrise.

Bonus: I was the only person here for sunrise.

4. Sand Beach –

Sand Beach itself offers an amazing sunrise and a dreamy location to view it. But don’t miss out on the cliffs just across from the parking lot area. It’s a great spot, and you get the view of the Sand Beach cove as well!

If you would prefer to watch the beautiful sunrise from the warmth of your car – then this location is for you!

5. Gorham Mountain –

If you want to hike but feel like summiting Cadillac so early in the morning isn’t your thing, check out Gorham Mountain. You will have amazing sunrise views and will not deal with crowds like you do on Cadillac.

6. Thunder Hole –

Thunder Hole is on pretty much everyone’s Acadia National Park bucket list, but did you know it’s also a great place to take in the sunrise? This is also on Ocean Path, and just down from Otter Cliffs; during a long sunrise, you may be able to view both.

7. Bass Harbor Head Light –

When you think of Bass Harbor, you may think of a sunset, and you’d be right that it’s one of the best sunset locations in Acadia National Park. BUT it’s also a great sunrise location as well. There will be way fewer people there are sunrise, and you will get that beautiful golden light.

8. Seal Harbor –

So, hear me out on this one, Seal Harbor is one of my favorite spots at Acadia National Park. I was driving along early one morning and noticed that the light was getting pretty, and I happened to be right next to Seal Harbor. While you don’t get a full-on sun view here – it is still a really gorgeous location to view the sunrise at Acadia. Bonus: I was the only person here for sunrise.

I always make it a game to find new places for sunrise at Acadia, sometimes, they pan out, and sometimes they don’t. But even if you don’t get a full sunrise, chances are that at Acadia, it will be gorgeous either way. You can’t go wrong between the stunning mountains, the gorgeous rocky cliff line, and the ocean waves.

Keep In Mind

Check sunrise times when you are visiting – they vary depending on the time of year
Leave early, before you think you should, then you won’t be like me and be racing the sun
Plan ahead if you can, but I’ve found that some of my favorite sunrises have been spontaneous finds.
If you want to watch the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, make sure to get a reservation
Research the weather the day before to make sure you will actually get a sunrise
Dress warm – it’s chilly, but the ocean is even in August!
If you are planning a sunrise hike, make sure to bring a headlamp, this is my favorite
I also recommend a tripod unless you’ve got a really steady hand, my favorite tripod

I know waking up early on a trip isn’t for everyone, but I highly recommend catching at least one sunrise on your next trip to Acadia National Park! Trust me, this one is worth the early wake-up!