Best Places to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park’s rugged coastline, rocky summits, and stunning ocean views make for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. People travel from all over the world to watch a sunrise or sunset on Cadillac Mountain—the tallest peak in Acadia National Park that is known for being the first place in the U.S to see the sunrise.
In this blog post, we share all of our favorite places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Acadia National Park. We include a variety of options to please every kind of adventurer as well as insider tips for watching the sunrise and sunset to make for a memorable, comfortable viewing experience.
Best Sunrise Spots in Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain Summit
Cadillac Mountain is located near the Northern end of the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
Cadillac Mountain is one of the most iconic places to watch the sunrise in the U.S., thanks to its elevation (1,530 feet — the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard). The summit provides stunning views of Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor, surrounding mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cadillac Mountain can be accessed by car or foot—there are four hiking trails that lead to the summit. Vehicle reservations are required for anyone that wishes to drive to the summit. Click here to learn more about visiting Cadillac Mountain.
Otter Point
Otter Point is located off the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
Otter Point is comprised of scenic, rocky cliffs that provide fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Just be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear shoes with good traction!
To access Otter Point—park in the paved parking lot located on the Park Loop Road, walk across the road, and then you will encounter a small granite staircase that will bring you down to the rocky cliffs.
Gorham Mountain Trail
The trailhead for Gorham Mountain is located off the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
The views from Gorham Mountain are spectacular—you’ll get to see the sunrise over Sand Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and Otter Point.
Gorham Mountain is only accessible by foot—those wishing to watch the sunrise must first hike a moderate 0.9 miles to the summit. Click here to learn more about hiking Gorham Mountain.
Great Head Trail
The trailhead for Great Head Trail is located off Schooner Head Road (Route 3) in Acadia National Park.
Great Head Trail provides stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Schoodic Point.
Great Head Trail is only accessible via foot—those wishing to watch the sunrise must first hike 0.9 miles of relatively flat trail to access the Eastern-facing cliffs.
Champlain Mountain
There are several trailheads for Champlain Mountain—one is located off Route 3, and the other two are located off the Park Loop Road.
Champlain Mountain offers a sunrise view similar to that of Cadillac Mountain—but with much fewer people and no cars.
Champlain Mountain is only accessible via foot—I personally would recommend the Beachcroft Trail or the North Ridge Trail for a sunrise hike, purely for safety reasons. Don’t forget your headlamp and your wind jacket!
Seawall
The Seawall is located off Route 102A in between Manset and Bass Harbor on land that belongs to Acadia National Park.
The Seawall is a long stretch of cobblestone beach that hugs the road. I would recommend watching the sunrise from the Seawall Picnic Area—which has picnic tables, bathrooms, and ample parking.
The Seawall is easily accessible by car or foot—just keep in mind how uneven the beach is due to its’ rocky nature. People will typically set out chairs on the beach or next to their cars for a more comfortable seat.
Schooner Head Overlook
Schooner Head Overlook is located off Schooner Head Road (also known as Route 3).
The view from Schooner Head Overlook is similar to the views from Great Head and Otter Point—it provides stunning Eastern-facing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Schooner Head Overlook is accessible via car.
Ocean Path
Ocean Path is located on the SouthEast portion of the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
The Ocean Path is a two-mile scenic path that hugs the Park Loop Road. There are several viewpoints along the path, mostly from rocky, rugged cliffs that hang over the Atlantic Ocean.
To access the Ocean Path, park in any of the designated parking lots between Sand Beach and Otter Point and walk across the road to see the scenic views.
Best Sunset Spots in Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain Summit
Cadillac Mountain is located near the Northern end of the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
Cadillac Mountain is one of the most iconic places to watch the sunset in the U.S., thanks to its elevation (1,530 feet — the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard). The summit provides stunning views of Frenchmen Bay, Bar Harbor, surrounding mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cadillac Mountain can be accessed by car or foot—there are four hiking trails that lead to the summit. Vehicle reservations are required for anyone that wishes to drive to the summit. Click here to learn more about visiting Cadillac Mountain.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Bass Harbor Lighthouse is located at the end of Lighthouse Road (off Route 102A) in Bass Harbor.
The lighthouse faces South—but the Bass Harbor Lighthouse Trail brings you to rocks below the lighthouse that provide a nice viewpoint for the sunset.
There is no view from the Bass Harbor Lighthouse parking lot—you must walk down the Bass Harbor Lighthouse Trail to get a view of the sunset. This is a very popular spot with limited parking—so be sure to have a backup plan in case the parking lot is full.
Wonderland Trail or Ship Harbor Trail
The Wonderland Trail and Ship Harbor Trail are located off Route 102A in between Manset and Bass Harbor.
Both of these trails have similar views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding islands.
The best viewpoints for both of these trails is at the very end—which means you will need to hike in to have a nice view of the sunset. The Ship Harbor Trail is 1.2 miles long and the Wonderland Trail is 1.4 miles long. Both trails are relatively flat, but you will encounter some rocky and uneven terrain.
Beech Mountain Fire Tower
The trailhead for Beech Mountain is located at the end of Beech Hill Road, which is off Route 102 in Somesville.
The sunset view from the Fire Tower on Beech Mountain is incredible—you can see Somes Sound, Acadia Mountain, St. Sauveur Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Beech Mountain is only accessible on foot. The trail is moderate in difficulty and only 1.2 miles long roundtrip.
Pretty Marsh Picnic Area
The Pretty Marsh Picnic Area is located off Route 102 in Pretty Marsh.
The western-facing beach at Pretty Marsh Picnic Area is a fantastic spot to watch the sun set over Bartlett Island and the Atlantic Ocean.
There is a short, moderately steep trail that takes you from the parking lot to the sheltered picnic area. There are wooden steps that take you from the picnic area down to the rocky beach. Please note that there is no view from the parking lot and a very limited view from the picnic area—both are densely forested.
Seal Cove Picnic Area *not located in Acadia National Park
Seal Cove Picnic Area is located off Cape Road in Tremont.
With Western-facing views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding islands—the Seal Cove Picnic Area is a nice, quiet spot to watch the sunset. If you’re lucky, you may get to explore a tidal pool or spot a seal.
To access the Seal Cove Picnic Area—drive down Cape Road until you come across a boat launch. The picnic area is located right next to the launch. There are fire pits and plenty of rocky coastline to explore.
Tips for Watching the Sunrise and Sunset in Acadia National Park
To make your sunrise/sunset extra cozy and special—bring a warm blanket, a thermos or insulated mug full of coffee, tea, or cocoa, and wear a pair of warm wool socks.
Be sure to check the sunrise/sunset times and weather forecasts so you can be prepared and have a comfortable, memorable experience.
To secure a parking spot at a busy spot like Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, be sure to arrive at least an hour before sunrise.
To avoid crowds, opt for a sunrise/sunset destination that is not accessible by car, like a hike or short trail. I find that the easier a place is to get to, the more people it will attract.
Prepare for a sunrise hike with a good pair of hiking boots, a headlamp, warm socks, a first aid kit, etc. You can shop all my favorite hiking essentials by clicking here.
Leave no trace in Acadia National Park
When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild Maine we love.
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