Cadillac Mountain Overlook — Local services in Bar Harbor

A great place to go for sunrise or sunset. Just be aware that you MUST make reservations for Cadillac Summit Road to access the Cadillac Mountain Overlook from end of May through end of October (dates seem to vary year to year)! At the time of this review they are only $6 per reservation. They are only available at recreation.gov and 30% go on sale at 10am ET 90 days before the date desired and the rest go on sale two days in advance. The app can be downloaded and set to notify you reminders! Highly recommend the app! Also, be sure to get your entrance pass before trying to enter for your reservation. An America the Beautiful pass is the easiest way and it’s good for a whole year!

This particular spot & east facing parking lot is best for sunrise! If going for sunset you can park here and walk down to the west lot or if you’re lucky, you can score a spot in the smaller west facing lot!

The day we went we grabbed a 7pm reservation and waited out the 8:30pm sunset at the west lot. It was VERY windy. Bring layers and a jacket that is appropriate for breaking the wind. A blanket sure is nice, too! I was able to get one at the Overlook gift shop! It gets super busy for sunrise & sunset! Be prepared & plan accordingly and you will have...

Watching the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain was a truly magical experience. As the first place in the United States to see the sunrise, it’s a must-do when visiting Acadia National Park. To drive up to the top, you need an entrance pass, which becomes available two days before the date at 10am sharp. Be sure to be logged in and ready by 9:59am, refreshing your browser to grab a ticket right away. Our pass was for 4am, about an hour before the sun finally peaked above the clouds.

The mountaintop can be a bit crowded, but the view is absolutely worth it. Despite the early hour, the experience of watching the first light of day spread across the landscape is unforgettable. Do note that it was very cold and windy at the summit, so dressing warmly is essential.

If you’re not accustomed to how early the sun rises that far east in the time zone, it is a significant early morning commitment. However, the effort is totally worth it. After the sunrise, we enjoyed exploring the trails on the mountain, taking in the beautiful scenery.

Overall, the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain is an experience not to be missed. Just remember to dress appropriately, plan ahead for the entrance pass, and prepare for an early start...

Simple overlook with great views. There are information boards that explain what you're looking at from the top. I left a longer rant about the reservation system on the Cadillac Mountain pin so I won't repeat myself lol.

Tourists will obstruct your view by standing in front of you. Some can be boisterous. Some are on their phone videocalling family to show off the sunrise. Please don't be one of them. Its selfish and ruins the experience...