The Only Acadia Summit With a Carriage Road to the Top
Day Mountain is the small peak that families end up loving. At 583 feet it is one of the lowest named summits in Acadia, on the quieter southern side of Mount Desert Island near Seal Harbor. What makes it different from every other mountain in the park is that it has both a hiking trail and a carriage road running to the summit. You can walk up the footpath, or you can pedal a bike up the smooth gravel carriage road. It is the only place in Acadia where that is true.
The footpath is the quick way. It climbs about 1.3 miles one way through open woods to a partly bare summit with views south toward the ocean, the Cranberry Isles, and Seal Harbor. The grade is gentle and the trail is well built, which is why this is one of the better hikes in the park for young kids, older walkers, and anyone easing back into hiking. The summit ledges are open enough to feel like you earned a view without a hard climb.
Two Ways Up
For the footpath, start from the trailhead off the Park Loop Road on the south side of the mountain. The trail switchbacks up through birch and spruce, crossing the carriage road a couple of times on the way. Near the top the trees give way to ledge and you get the look south to the water. Out and back on the footpath runs roughly 2.6 miles.
For the carriage road, the climb is longer and gentler, designed for carriages and now used by bikes, walkers, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage tour. The full Day Mountain carriage loop is several miles and gains the summit on an easy grade with no steep pitches. Bikes are allowed on the carriage roads, so a family can ride to the top of an Acadia mountain without anyone scrambling.
If you have young kids or a mix of abilities in the group, split up: send the strong walkers up the footpath and let the rest pedal the carriage road. Everybody meets on the summit. It is one of the few Acadia peaks where you can actually do that, and the kids who bike to a mountaintop tend to remember it.
What You See
The summit is low, so do not expect the sweeping all-direction views of Cadillac or Pemetic. What you get instead is a clean look south over Seal Harbor, the working lobster boats, and the dark line of the Cranberry Isles offshore. On a clear day the open Atlantic stretches past them. It is a calmer, more intimate view than the big northern peaks, and the southern light in the afternoon is good for photos.
Because Day Mountain sits away from the Cadillac and Jordan Pond crowds, you often share the summit with only a handful of people even in July. The carriage road traffic stays civil.
The carriage roads around Day Mountain are shared by walkers, cyclists, and horse-drawn carriages. The junctions can get busy on summer weekends between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Keep right, control your speed on the descent, and yield to horses. Riders on bikes should call out when passing walkers.
When to Go
Spring
The low elevation means Day Mountain dries out and opens up earlier than the high peaks. Cool and quiet, with bugs building by late May.
Summer
Warm and pleasant, and far less crowded than the famous summits. Mornings and late afternoons are best for parking and light.
Fall
Clear air, cool temperatures, and color in the woods. The southern view over the islands is at its sharpest in October.
Winter
Open year-round. The carriage road becomes a gentle snowshoe or ski, and the short footpath is doable with traction in firm snow.
Getting There
From Bar Harbor, follow the Park Loop Road south past Jordan Pond toward Seal Harbor. The Day Mountain trailhead and the carriage road access are off the loop road in that area. From the village of Seal Harbor it is just a few minutes. The drive from Bangor is a bit over an hour, and from Portland about three hours.
You need a valid Acadia park pass. A standard vehicle pass is $35 and good for seven days.
Pair Day Mountain with a swim or a picnic at Seal Harbor Beach, which is just down the road and a lot less crowded than Sand Beach. Hike or ride the mountain in the morning while the air is cool, then spend the afternoon on the beach. It makes a full, low-stress Acadia day that skips the worst of the Cadillac and Jordan Pond traffic.
Day Mountain Family Hike Checklist
- Acadia park pass on the dashboard
- Water for everyone, including kids and dogs
- Snacks for the summit
- Bikes and helmets if you plan to ride the carriage road
- Light layers (the summit is open but low)
- Sun hat and sunscreen for the open ledges
- Camera for the view over Seal Harbor and the islands
FAQ
Is Day Mountain a good hike for kids?
Yes. The footpath is about 1.3 miles each way on a gentle, well-built grade to a 583-foot summit. It is one of the easiest named-summit hikes in Acadia, which makes it a favorite for families and first-time hikers.
Can you bike up Day Mountain?
Yes. Day Mountain is the only Acadia peak with a carriage road to the summit, and bikes are allowed on the carriage roads. The grade is gentle enough for a family to ride to the top.
How long does it take to hike Day Mountain?
The footpath out and back is roughly 2.6 miles and takes most people about an hour to an hour and a half, plus time on the summit. The full carriage road loop takes longer.
Is there a fee for Day Mountain?
There is no separate trail fee, but Acadia requires a park entrance pass. A standard vehicle pass is $35 and valid for seven days.
Are dogs allowed on Day Mountain?
Yes. Leashed dogs (six-foot leash maximum) are welcome on the trail and the carriage roads. Bring water for your dog, especially on warm summer days.
