[2025 Bar Harbor Attraction] Travel Guide for Cadillac Mountain (Updated Apr)

Acadia is among the top ten most popular national parks in the United States, with more than 4 million visits a year. This is actually the second time I visited Cadillac Mountain. The first visit was in summer and the second one was in fall and I will definitely comeback while I’m in the US. This site is known for being the first location in the United States to see the sunrise. Getting There - Vehicle reservations for Cadillac Summit Road are required. Vehicle reservations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi. Vehicle reservations only apply to private owners. Vehicle reservations cost $6. They are sold online in advance at Recreation.gov. They are not available for purchase at the park. #mytripblog #tripblazers #historicallandmarks #acadia

We went to the NPS.org website to make a reservation for the park. We paid our 6$ fee for the reservation and downloaded the QR code. We are seniors so we already had our National Park passes so those were no charge. You must pay a $30 fee to gain entrance and down load that as well. Check this since this may change. Entering the park was simple and we drove to the summit. There were several turn off areas for viewing on the way up. Make sure you are in these areas and not just on the side of the road. Once reaching the summit there is a small visitor center and restrooms. The view is excellent but remember to stay on the approved pathways. There are several hiking trails through out the park for all ability levels. Make sure to bring water and good shoes. It was a very enjoyable day. #naturalwonders#culturalattraction#themeparks#nationalpark#lakes

#domestictravel Bar Harbor is a picturesque coastal town located near Acadia National Park, known for its rugged coastline, quaint atmosphere, and stunning natural beauty. Visitors can hike Cadillac Mountain for sunrise views, explore rocky beaches, or enjoy a scenic boat tour around the harbor. Bar Harbor’s charming downtown is filled with boutique shops, seafood restaurants, and art galleries. Famous for its fresh lobster, charming inns, and scenic surroundings, Bar Harbor is a must-visit for anyone seeking a New England coastal escape.

Two-day park tour guide: Day 1: Depart from Boston and head to Acadia National Park 🚗🌄 Morning: Depart from Boston 🌞 Depart from Boston in the morning and head to Acadia National Park along the beautiful New England coastline. It is recommended to leave early to avoid peak traffic. Noon: Arrive at Acadia National Park 🏞️ Upon arrival at Acadia National Park, head to the park's iconic spot, Cadillac Mountain. You can choose to drive to the top of the mountain or challenge yourself with a hike. Afternoon: Explore the park 🍽️ After lunch, drive along Park Loop Road, passing several viewpoints, including Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. 🏃‍♂️ You can choose to hike the Jordan Pond Loop Trail or challenge the more difficult Beehive Trail. Evening: Dinner and rest at Bar Harbor 🍴 After a day of sightseeing, head to Bar Harbor for dinner and find accommodation. Bar Harbor is a charming town with many restaurants and shops. Day 2: Further explore Acadia National Park 🌳🌊 Morning: Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain 🌅 If the weather permits, you can watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, the first place on the East Coast of the United States to see the sunrise. Morning: More hiking or biking 🚴‍♀️ You can choose to continue hiking and explore more trails, such as Precipice Trail or Jordan Cliffs Trail, or rent a bike to explore the historic Carriage Roads. Afternoon: Beach relaxation or more exploration 🏖️ Relax on the beach, such as Sand Beach or Echo Lake Beach, or continue exploring other areas of the park, such as Schoodic Peninsula. Evening: Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse 🌇 At the end of the trip, head to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse to watch the sunset, a popular photography spot. Night: Return to Boston or stay overnight in Bar Harbor 🛌 Depending on your schedule, you can choose to stay overnight in Bar Harbor or return to Boston directly.

👉📍 Acadia National Park on Mount Desert is spread across three islands, the largest of which is Mount Desert Island, which is also the most concentrated place for tourists. There is a 27-mile park loop on Mount Desert Island, where you can enjoy a variety of landscapes such as coastline, forest, peaks, lakes, waterfalls, etc. Here are some sights worth seeing: 1️⃣⛰️ Cadillac Mountain: This is the highest peak along the Atlantic coast of the United States and a landmark of Acadia National Park. On Cadillac Mountain, you can watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and overlook the entire park and surrounding islands. 2️⃣🌊 Somes Sound: This is a deep sea fjord formed by glaciers, with steep cliffs on both sides and calm water surface. At the entrance of the fjord, there is an ancient stone arch bridge, which is a famous photo spot on the park loop. 3️⃣🏝️ Schoodic Peninsula: This is the only scenic spot in the park located outside of Mount Desert Island, located in the northeast direction of Mount Desert Island, about an hour's drive away. The scenery of the Schoodic Peninsula is dominated by rocks and waves, which is more primitive and wild than Mount Desert Island, and there are relatively fewer tourists. 4️⃣🪼 Frenchman Bay: This is a beautiful bay located in the southwest of Mount Desert Island, which is the starting and ending point of the park loop. On the water surface of the bay, there are often various sailing boats and yachts, forming a bright landscape. 🏠 There is a small town on the south coast of the bay called Bar Harbor, which is the busiest place in the park, with many restaurants, shops and hotels. 5️⃣🚸 Island Carriage Road: This is a carriage road donated and built by local tycoons, with a total length of about 45 miles, crossing all corners of Mount Desert Island and connecting 16 stone bridges. On this gravel road, you can ride horses, bicycles or walk to feel the natural beauty of Mount Desert Island. Here is the travel guide for Acadia National Park on Mount Desert: 1️⃣🚗 Transportation: Acadia National Park on Mount Desert is about 270 miles from Boston. You can take a plane, train or car to Bar Harbor, then transfer to a bus or taxi to the scenic area. You can also drive by yourself, but you need to note that parking spaces in the park are limited, especially in the peak season. 2️⃣🎫 Tickets: The tickets for Acadia National Park on Mount Desert are divided into single tickets and vehicle tickets. The single ticket is $15 and the vehicle ticket is $30, valid for 7 days. You can also buy annual tickets or universal tickets to enjoy more discounts. 3️⃣🏡 Accommodation: There are two campsites in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert, namely Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground, which provide basic facilities and services, with prices ranging from $20 to $30, and need to be booked in advance. 🏩 If you want to stay in a hotel, you can choose Bar Harbor or other nearby towns, with hotels of various grades to choose from. 4️⃣🚏 Route: There are many attractions in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert, and it is recommended to arrange two or three days for sightseeing. 👉 On the first day, you can visit the central lake area of Mount Desert Island, with main attractions such as Cadillac Mountain, Somes Sound, Frenchman Bay, etc., to enjoy the coastline and mountain scenery of the park. 👉 On the second day, you can visit the east and west of Mount Desert Island, with main attractions such as Island Carriage Road, Echo Lake, Sand Beach, Beehive Mountain, etc., to experience the forest and lake scenery of the park. 👉 On the third day, you can visit the Schoodic Peninsula, with main attractions such as Schoodic Point, Franny Mountain, Annes Head, etc., to feel the rock and wave scenery of the park. 5️⃣👀⚠️ Precautions: The altitude of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert is relatively high and the temperature is relatively low, so pay attention to keeping warm and sun protection. The attractions of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert are widely distributed, so pay attention to safety and physical strength, do not take small roads and get lost. ♻️ The scenery of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert is mainly natural, so pay attention to protecting the environment, do not litter and destroy plants.