Acadia: Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain

From October through early March, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the first place in the continental US to experience sunrise, offering a rare opportunity to witness the dawning of a new day from nearly 1,530 feet above sea level.

But if you’re looking for peaceful solitude, this is not the place. Acadia is in the top ten most popular national parks in the US with 3.9 million visitors in 2022. Because of the crowds who want to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, visitors currently need a vehicle reservation during peak season, from mid-May through late October. This system helps manage the high demand and protect the environment by limiting the number of cars on the summit road.

Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov, and it’s recommended to book as early as possible, especially in summer when sunrise spots fill up quickly. The reservation grants a one-time entry during a specified time window around sunrise, so it’s essential to arrive on time. Reservations are only for parking access.

• 30 percent of the Cadillac Summit Road Sunrise and Daytime vehicle reservations will be available for purchase 90 days in advance of the reservation date.
• 70 percent of the Cadillac Summit Road Sunrise and Daytime vehicle reservations will be available for purchase at 10 am (ET) two days in advance of the reservation date.

If you’re planning a trip there, you’ll need both a park entrance pass to enter the park and a vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road. Park entrance passes are also available at the park. Vehicle reservations are not available at the park, they are sold online at Recreation.gov in advance on a rolling 90-day basis.

More information on How to Visit Acadia and What to See

 

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