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Know before you go: Acadia (updated November 2026)
- Park pass: Required May through October everywhere in the park, including Sand Beach, Jordan Pond and Cadillac. U.S. residents pay $35 per vehicle for 7 days, or $80 for the America the Beautiful annual pass. Non-U.S. residents pay an extra $100 per person (16 and older) unless they hold the $250 nonresident annual pass. Entrance stations are cashless, so buy ahead at Recreation.gov.
- Cadillac Summit Road: Driving to the summit needs a separate $6 vehicle reservation from late May to late October (May 20 to Oct 25 in 2026). Hikers and bikers don't need one.
- Skip the parking hunt: The fare-free Island Explorer bus runs from the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton and around the Park Loop Road starting in late May, with full service late June to mid-October. You still need a park pass to ride into the park.
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2026: From May 20 to October 25, 2026, driving the Cadillac Summit Road requires a $6 vehicle reservation plus a park entrance pass. Reservations are sold on Recreation.gov: 30% open 90 days ahead and the rest open two days ahead at 10 a.m. ET. Sunrise slots go fastest. Hiking or biking up doesn’t require a reservation. Official details: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm
Things to see in Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain is a must see when in Acadia National Park! it’s the perfect trip for the whole family because you can drive up to the top of the mountain. It’s breathtaking. My first time up the mountain, I was so blown away. The blues, the greens, the rocks, the trees. Being surrounded by beauty, with so many paths to be alone on just off the beaten path. Bonus – blueberries grow wild on top of Cadillac Mountain! Driving up Cadillac mountain is an experience you will never forget.
Getting There
You’ll need to take the park loop road. Here’s your map location!
According to Acadia Magic –
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, at 1,530 feet (466 meters), is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6. It is one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine that were pushed up by earth’s tectonic and volcanic forces millions of years ago. Were it not for the once enormous glaciers that sheared off their tops, they would be even higher than what we see today. You can easily see the results of this on a smaller scale by viewing the slopes on the Porcupine Islands in the distance. The North side is on the left and the steeper slope, or the down side, is on the right east side. The glaciers crept across the land here from the left to the right (in a southerly direction) and stretched out to sea as far as 400 miles (644 kilometers)!
Summit Road Entrance GPS: Latitude 44.368891; Longitude -68.238506
Once you get up to the top, you’ll probably look for parking for a while. Be patient. You can take a bus, too. The bathroom is located in the gift shop, so just something to keep in mind. We recommend wearing your hiking shoes here, and exploring all of the trails from the top of Cadillac Mountain. You’ll encounter people hiking up Cadillac, and you can make conversations regarding the trails. (read about some of the trails by searching Cadillac Mountain as the tag. Or click here for a Cadillac Mountain Loop hike!) It’s a great experience. Plan to explore.
Grab your Acadia National Park hiking map before you go so you can plan out your exploration of the trails from the top. Or message us! We can help.
Happy Trails!
DD
Heading through Bangor, Maine and wanting to rent kayaks for your trip to Acadia National Park? Give us a call! We’ve got kayaks available for rent by the day, half day, or week! 207-814-7710
Learn more on the Rent Kayaks page on this site!
Driving up Cadillac Mountain with the Vehicle Reservation System
Plan ahead: during reservation season you’ll be turned away at the bottom of the Summit Road without one. Learn more on Acadia National Park’s website here.
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Where to Stay Near Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor
Planning an overnight? Here are hotels, cabins and rentals nearby, with live prices.