Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Even by New England standards, 1,530 feet is a small mountain. Cadillac Mountain may be dwarfed by the likes of Mt. Katahdin or the 4,000 footers of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but this coastal peak in Maine’s Acadia National Park is no stranger to superlatives. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain in Acadia, the tallest mountain on the eastern coast of the US, and at certain times during the year it is the first place in the US to see the sunrise (technically it is only the first place in the US to see the sunrise from October-March). While obviously more subjective, it would not be a stretch to say that the sunrise viewed from the summit of Cadillac Mountain is the most beautiful sunrise on the east coast.
Getting There
The hike up Cadillac Mountain is extremely popular, but reaching the summit in time for sunrise involves hiking in the dark at an obscenely early hour. Most people choose to drive to the summit, which still involves an early wakeup (but completely worth it!). This website is a good resource for figuring out what time the sun will rise from Cadillac Mountain. The mountain itself is located on the eastern side of Mt. Desert Island, about a 15-minute drive from Bar Harbor. The Cadillac Summit Road is a paved road leading to the summit, and on a summer morning before sunrise, the road will be lined with vehicles as visitors gather to take in the unforgettable view. Since this is one of the most popular activities in Acadia, you’ll want to arrive comfortably before sunrise in case you need to park farther down the road and walk for a few minutes to get to the best viewpoint.
Even before the sun officially rises, the view across Frenchman Bay and Mt. Desert Narrows is spectacular. The narrow stretch of ocean is dotted with small islands (appropriately names the Porcupine Islands) with a flatter section of the Maine coastline stretching to the horizon.
As the sun begins to peak over the horizon, the already-stunning view becomes flooded with a mix of pink, red, and orange reflecting across the water. The contrast of the tiny Porcupine Islands on the illuminated water makes this one of the most iconic scenes in all of New England. Neither words nor photographs can do it justice.
Read More: Maine Road Trip Itinerary