Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail Acadia

Cadillac Mountain Trail Info

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail
Length: 4.2 Miles
Height: 1529 feet
Elevation Gain: 1128 feet
Type: Out & Back
My Rating: Advanced

Dog Friendly: Yes, but the National Park Service requires leashes and for leash length to be less than 6 feet. You will also be ascending a granite slope, which can be hot on a dog’s paws in the summer.

Would we do it again: Yes! You cannot beat the views from the top! Sure, you could just drive to the summit and walk around, but hiking up the trail is so rewarding. 

How to Get There and Parking Information

If you don’t plan on taking the bus to get to the trailhead, you will want to get there early to find a spot near the trailheads. If you don’t want to risk finding a parking spot, you can take the Island Explorer bus from Bar Harbor. There are two trails heads that you can use to get to the North Ridge Trail up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. The most popular option to start your hike is taking the Kebo Brook Trail from the Island Explorer bus stop. You will have to take a set of stone stairs and cross a road then you will be on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail. The other option is to start near Sand Beach at a very small parking lot. If you find parking and start here, you can cross the road to get to the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail. 

Pricing and Reservation Information

Acadia National Park has been seeing a lot more visitors in the last couple of years. More than 4 million people visit annually. Because of this, there are certain times during the year when you will need to have a vehicle registration before heading in. To complete the hiking trail for Cadillac Mountain, you don’t need to pay a fee to access the trail. But if you are visiting from May 25th through October 22nd (2022 season dates but assume something similar when you’re planning your trip) you will need to register your car if you want to access Cadillac Summit Road. If you just want to do the hike, and don’t plan on driving up to the top on a separate mini-adventure, you may not have to register your vehicle when you go. 

To enter Acadia National Park, there is a fee that is collected year-round. The 2022 season cost for a vehicle to enter, with 15 or fewer passengers, is $30. If you are planning on taking a ride-sharing option or walking into the park, the fee is $15 (children 15 and younger are free). Acadia does offer an annual pass for $55, so if you see yourself visiting at least twice a year, that pass may be worth it!

What to Expect Hiking the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail 

The most popular times of day to go to Cadillac Mountain are for sunset and sunrise. You will get panoramic views over Bar Harbor, the Schoodic Peninsula, and Frenchman Bay. This is an out-and-back trail hike that will take you to the highest elevation points in not only Acadia National Park, but also on the eastern coast of the United States. The North Ridge Trail is a couple of miles shorter than the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail. Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail is about 7 miles out and back. Once you are on the trail, you will follow the Arcadian-style bates cairns or little rock pilings, built to help hikers navigate their way up. 

There’s sparse tree coverage on the trail, as you will walk up granite slopes that typically can’t sustain trees. There are rocky trails on this hike, with granite stairs mixed into these parts. This part of the hike can be tricky, so be careful with your footing so you don’t twist something. Wearing hiking boots that come up your ankle can offer protection, too. There are also stretches of the trail up the mountain that will have you next to a busy road. Actually a fair amount of the trail is within sight of the road. So while the trail overall is peaceful and you still feel like you’re in nature, it might not be the most serene ascent. Before you hit the summit, the trail will begin to flatten out. You will come to a fork in the trail and you should veer to the right. 

At the summit, you will find the summit parking lot, which also has a gift shop and restroom. There is the half-mile Cadillac Summit Loop trail that you can do to see more views from the top. You can start the Cadillac South Ridge Trail as well. Or, after you take your photos and take in all the sights, you can start heading back down the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail. 

Is the Hike Worth It

You cannot beat the views that you will get from the top of Cadillac Mountain. It is incredible what you can see once you get up the trail. And while you could technically just drive and park at the summit, it is a lot more rewarding to spend about half a day hiking the trail. This is a very popular trail! Going during sunrise or sunset, it could begin to feel a bit crowded on your way up. The summit is especially popular because you don’t have to take the trail up and instead park at the top. 

You should plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours on the trail for your hike. Which is a good amount of time spent on a half-day adventure. Because there are granite slopes, stairs, rocky trail portions, and limited sitting areas, you do need to be prepared for what this hike will be like. You can check out some of my favorite gears picks here. It is a moderate to advanced hike with limited tree coverage. It is worth it, no doubt about that. But you should also dress appropriately and bring enough water to keep you going. The gift shop and restroom at the summit are helpful if you want to take a break before heading back down. There are also lookout points on the summit that you will just have to stop at to take it all in. 

Overall, this is a good hike for those that are casual hikers who might want a tad bit of a challenge but nothing too serious. It is a proud and beautiful accomplishment when you do make it to the summit and look out over Mount Desert Island and the Harbor. This is also a good trail to complete if you have children. While there is a slope, it is nothing a child wouldn’t be able to handle and there aren’t any barriers or spots that you have to climb over or navigate. Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail is well known and popular. And while that does attract a lot of people, it does so for a reason. It is one of the most beautiful trails you can complete in Acadia National Park. This is an absolutely must-do if you are visiting Bar Harbor even for a day or two. 

Best Time of Year to Visit Cadillac Mountain 

You can hike up the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail year-round. However, part of the trail does require you to hike up granite slopes. I always recommend you wear sensible hiking shoes that you know have trustworthy traction under them. The granite does become slippery and dangerous when wet. During inclement weather, like snow, ice, or rain, use your best judgment on continuing the hike. Since the trail has limited tree coverage, it can get hot in the summer. A hat and sun protection are highly recommended. 

The best time of year to visit Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is from late spring to early fall. That is also when the park becomes the busiest since the weather is notoriously nice. If you want to come at a slightly less busy time and to see the fall foliage New England is known for, visiting Acadia National Park in late September is a good option. Winter may be difficult to visit since Maine does get cold and icy during this time of year. You will be rewarded with more privacy on the trail and some amazing sunrises and sunsets.