Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak in Acadia National Park along the Atlantic coast of Maine. From the top, views stretch across Frenchman Bay, the offshore islands, and the forested ridges of the park.

The area was mapped in 1604 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain while he charted the coast. The mountain received its current name in the 19th century to honor French nobleman Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac.

The Wabanaki name for this summit reflects their spiritual ties to the land, which they used for ceremonies and seasonal travel for thousands of years. Visitors today can read panels near the top that explain this original connection and show how indigenous communities moved across the island.

A vehicle reservation is required from mid-May to mid-October to use the summit road. Visitors can also hike the South Ridge Trail or the North Ridge Trail if no reservation is available.

From October through March, the first sunlight in the United States hits the ground here. Many visitors arrive before dawn to witness this moment and watch daybreak unfold over the Atlantic.

Location: Hancock County

Elevation above the sea: 470 m

GPS coordinates: 44.35286,-68.22390

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:44