Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia Sunrise Weekend
Granite ridges over the Atlantic, then lobster in the harbor.
Easy
Difficulty
9 mi
Distance
1,400 ft
Elevation
40 h
Drive time
Jun – Oct
Best season
Trail map
Trail to take
Acadia Sunrise Weekend — 9 mi · Easy
No coordinates for this one yet — open it on Trailforks by name.
Overview
A soft-adventure weekend: sunrise on Cadillac, carriage roads by bike, sea kayaking in Frenchman Bay, and a slow evening in Bar Harbor.
Permits: Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation for sunrise slots.
Where to get your permit
- Cadillac Summit Road reservation
Sunrise slots sell out the minute they open.
Fees, lottery dates and quotas change every season — confirm on the agency page before you plan around them.
Where to camp or stay
Popular sites open on a booking window months ahead and sell out fast.
Highlights
Cadillac Mountain sunrise
Jordan Pond carriage roads
Ocean Path at high surf
Bar Harbor popovers
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Arrive + Ocean Path
Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, easy shoreline walk at sunset.
Day 2
Sunrise + carriage roads
Cadillac at dawn, breakfast in town, bike the carriage roads to Jordan Pond.
Day 3
Paddle and go
Guided morning sea kayak, drive out after lunch.
Packing list
Checked against your gear closet — 5 items to sort out.
- Wind shell
- Warm hat for dawn
- Trail shoes with grip
- Daypack
- Sunglasses
Add gear for this trip
Suggestions shift with the trip length, activities and the forecast above.
2.5 L
Per person, per day
2 L
Heaviest carry
4.4 lb
Water weight (2.2 lb/L)
4.4 lb
Gear 0.0 lb + water
- Sources unconfirmed — this assumes one mid-day refill. Check conditions before you go.
Food plan
- Breakfast: bakery in Bar Harbor
- Lunch: picnic at Jordan Pond
- Dinner: one lobster night
Weather & conditions
Trail conditions
We don't have a trailhead pinned for this route yet.
Nearby camping
Gear recommendations
Know before you go. Routes, distances, elevation and conditions shown here are estimates and may be inaccurate or out of date. Trail conditions change, and closures happen. Check with the managing land agency, carry a topographic map and compass or GPS, tell someone your plans, and know your limits — you're responsible for your own safety in the outdoors.