I have always thought that sunrises were more magical than sunsets. Don’t get me wrong, sunsets are beautiful. I just find sunrises even more so. Sunrises give me an optimism and hopefulness that I don’t find anywhere else. They offer the promise of a new day and all the endless possibilities that accompany it. Sunrises on vacation, when you know that you don’t have to go to work, are the best.
That’s why when we visited Acadia National Park, we knew that we had to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on all the east coast United States.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located in Maine, in the very northeastern part of the United States. This park sprawls over most of Mount Desert Island, as well as several small outlying islands. Formed in 1916, Acadia is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River.
Cadillac Mountain
At 1,530 feet above sea level, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on all of Mount Desert Island, and therefore, is one of the first places in the United States where you can see the sunrise. Cadillac Mountain was named after the French explorer, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who started his career off in Acadia as a trapper before exploring across a large portion of the United States. In fact, the entirety of Mount Desert Island was in Cadillac’s possession; a gift from King Louis XIV, the King of France.
The top of Cadillac Mountain is rounded, having been modified from the retreating glaciers of the last ice age. The mountain itself is made primarily of pink granite. It is home to a delicate ecosystem, so please stay on the trail and mind where you step!
Unlike other mountains, the summit on top of Cadillac Mountain is accessible by car. The Park Loop Road takes you all the way up to the top, and offers several pull offs at views along the way. During business hours, there’s even a gift shop open at the summit.
Sunrise
We decided to head up to Cadillac Mountain about an hour before sunrise. Watching all the changing colors in the sky is a great way to get your mind ready for the arrival of the sun. By the time the sun made its grand appearance, the summit was packed with people, so its a good idea to get there early and find a nice comfortable spot where you can watch nature’s show.
Blueberries!
Maine is known for its small, sweet, and bountiful blueberries. So, after the sunrise, why not treat yourself to coffee and the most delicious blueberry pancakes you will ever have?
Where is it located?
Cadillac Mountain is located in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. You can drive right up to the summit via the Park Loop Road.
Map
A wonderful map of Acadia National Park can be found at the National Park Service page.