Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet, is the tallest mountain on Mount Desert Island and the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. From October 7 through March 6 of each year, it is the first place to view a sunrise in the United States.
Millions of years ago, the earth's tectonic and volcanic forces pushed the land upward to form the mountains on the island. Then, during ice ages that followed, huge 1 - 2 mile high slow moving glaciers sheared off the mountain tops leaving the rounded off appearance we see today.
Largely composed of pink granite, Cadillac Mountain is covered with spruce and pitch pine forests, tiny sub alpine plants (such as cinquefoil), short gnarled trees, wild blueberries, and boulders of all sizes and shapes.
Mountain Vistas
Views from the summit are diverse and spectacular. On the northwestern side you will see Eagle Lake, Western Bay, and further inland. To the south, you will see the Cranberry Islands. To the northeast lies Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands, Bar Island, and in the distance, Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland.
Visit Schoodic
While watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, you will also be able to see Schoodic Peninsula in the distance.
The Night Sky
Acadia National Park has several locations that are excellent for stargazing. Views from Cadillac Mountain are stunning!
Southeast View
From the eastern and southern side of the summit you will be able to see Otter Cove and Otter Point where Otter Cliff is.
Summit Road & Access
There are basically two ways to get to the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road by vehicle; from the north side or from the south side. Both of these are via the Park Loop Road. The two main relevant points of access to the Park Loop Road on the north side are in Hulls Cove and on the western side of Bar Harbor via Route 233. Both of these merge at the Stone Bridge that passes over Route 233. A short distance away to the south is a stop sign. This marks the location where the one-way road is to the left; the two-way section is to the right. Take the right and immediately ahead on the left is the entrance gate to the Summit Road.
If coming from the south side you would have passed the Jordan Pond House Restaurant and Bubble Pond before arriving at the Summit Road which is on the right.
It is important to know that access to Cadillac Mountain now requires advance reservations. The charge is minimal but sunrises are in high-demand.
The Summit Road winds approximately 3.5 miles on its way to the top while providing several key spots along the way where you can stop and take in the spectacular panoramic views.
Cadillac Mountain GPS: Latitude 44.352643; Longitude -68.224610
For more detailed information on Cadillac Mountain, visit AcadiaMagic.com.