Dorr Mountain
Conquer Dorr Mountain in Acadia for breathtaking views via challenging trails, including the thrilling Ladder Trail.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Perfect temperature, no crowds
Dorr Mountain
Best Time
Perfect temperature, no crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Conquer Dorr Mountain in Acadia for breathtaking views via challenging trails, including the thrilling Ladder Trail.
"Amazing views, but prepare for a hard hike."
🚗 Park Pass & Parking
Purchase your Acadia National Park pass online or at an entrance station. Roadside parking is available but can fill up quickly. :ticket:
🥾 Choose Your Trail Wisely
The Ladder Trail is intense! Consider the South Ridge Dorr Trail for a less challenging ascent/descent. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dorr Mountain Summit Views
Summit
Breathtaking panoramic views of Acadia National Park and the surrounding coastline. A rewarding sight after a challenging climb.
The Ladder Trail
Dorr Ladder Trail
An exhilarating and challenging ascent featuring natural ladders and steep rock faces. Not for the faint of heart!
South Ridge Dorr Trail
South Ridge Dorr Trail
A less crowded alternative to the Ladder Trail, offering a strenuous but rewarding climb with stunning natural features.
Wild Gardens of Acadia
Trailhead area
Begin your hike through a peaceful oasis of native gardens and shaded woodland paths before ascending the mountain.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Acadia Park Entry & Parking
Trail Difficulty & Safety
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Park Pass & Parking
Purchase your Acadia National Park pass online or at an entrance station. Roadside parking is available but can fill up quickly. :ticket:
🥾 Choose Your Trail Wisely
The Ladder Trail is intense! Consider the South Ridge Dorr Trail for a less challenging ascent/descent. :athletic_shoe:
⚠️ Safety First on Trails
Be prepared for icy conditions in winter and exercise caution. Trails can be steep with sharp cliffs. :warning:
🚫 No Facilities on Trail
There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Plan your needs before you start your hike. :toilet:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Park Pass & Parking
Purchase your Acadia National Park pass online or at an entrance station. Roadside parking is available but can fill up quickly. :ticket:
🥾 Choose Your Trail Wisely
The Ladder Trail is intense! Consider the South Ridge Dorr Trail for a less challenging ascent/descent. :athletic_shoe:
⚠️ Safety First on Trails
Be prepared for icy conditions in winter and exercise caution. Trails can be steep with sharp cliffs. :warning:
🚫 No Facilities on Trail
There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Plan your needs before you start your hike. :toilet:
🐶 Not for Fido or Little Ones
Steep climbs and ladders make this hike unsuitable for young children and dogs. :noentrysign:
🗺️ Trail Maps are Key
Download or carry a trail map, as it's easy to get lost on the way down. :world_map:
☀️ Sunrise Alternative
For a quieter sunrise experience than Cadillac Mountain, consider Dorr Mountain's summit. :sunrise:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Dorr Mountain for its challenging and rewarding hikes, offering stunning panoramic views of Acadia National Park. The Ladder Trail is a highlight for thrill-seekers, while the South Ridge Dorr Trail provides a strenuous but less intense option. Some find the climb very steep with no rest, and caution is advised for those with young children or pets.
"- Acadia charges to enter the park. I’m from out of state so I paid $35 for 7 days. Once you’re in the park you don’t need to pay any additional fees unless you plan on driving up Cadillac mountain, then it’s an additional $6
- The climb up is about a mile of stairs with some ladders at the end. I took the ridge trail down to avoid the ladders and it was about 2 hours.
- No bathrooms at the entrance
- Roadside parking. This trail isn’t as popular as other ones so I didn’t have to fight for parking."
kelsey treanor
"Not too easy, not too hard of a hike up. Went up in early May and it was just the perfect temperature and no crowd at all. We almost got lost on the way down though.
Recommended!"
S Lee
"Very stenosis climb.
Steps are going straight up, no rest. Curious, if someone counted them?!
Amazing views, but prepare for hard hike.
Not good for kids or dogs. Some places sharp cliffs."
Natha B
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Dorr Mountain is located within Acadia National Park. Access is typically via Park Loop Road. You'll need to pay the park entrance fee. Parking is available roadside near the trailheads, but can be limited, especially during peak season.
Acadia National Park offers a free Island Explorer shuttle bus service during the summer months, which may stop near Dorr Mountain trailheads. Check their schedule for routes and operating dates.
Many visitors start at the Wild Gardens of Acadia and follow paths like Jesup Path to Homans Path to reach Dorr Mountain. The South Ridge Dorr Trail is another popular access point.
No, Dorr Mountain is a hiking destination. You cannot drive to the summit. The experience is about the hike and the views you earn.
While you can drive to the vicinity of Dorr Mountain within Acadia National Park, the summit itself is only accessible by hiking trails.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, you need a vehicle entrance pass for Acadia National Park to access Dorr Mountain. Out-of-state visitors typically pay $35 for a 7-day pass.
Once you have paid the Acadia National Park entrance fee, there are no additional fees to access the Dorr Mountain trails themselves.
Dorr Mountain is accessible year-round during park hours. However, trail conditions can vary significantly with weather, especially in winter.
Park entrance passes can be purchased in advance online through Recreation.gov to save time upon arrival. Trail access itself does not require advance booking.
There is no separate parking fee for Dorr Mountain trailheads beyond the park entrance fee. Parking is roadside and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
🎫 ⛰️ Onsite Experience
The difficulty varies by trail. The Ladder Trail is very strenuous with steep stairs and ladders. The South Ridge Dorr Trail is also challenging but avoids the ladders. It's not ideal for young children or dogs. +1
The Ladder Trail offers a thrilling climb, while the South Ridge Dorr Trail is a great alternative. Many also enjoy combining Dorr Mountain with Cadillac Mountain via a connector trail. +1
No, there are no restrooms located at the Dorr Mountain trailheads or along the trails. Be sure to use facilities before you begin your hike.
Expect stunning panoramic views of Acadia National Park, the coastline, and surrounding islands. It's a fantastic spot for photography. 
Yes, Dorr Mountain offers similar stunning views to Cadillac Mountain but with significantly fewer crowds, providing a more peaceful experience, especially for sunrise.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit offers sweeping vistas, perfect for landscape photography. The unique rock formations and staircases on the Ladder Trail also make for dramatic shots.
Dorr Mountain is an excellent spot for sunrise, offering a quieter alternative to Cadillac Mountain. The views are spectacular at both dawn and dusk.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views. Consider a sturdy tripod for low-light conditions and a polarizing filter to enhance the coastal scenery.
The summit itself provides the most expansive views. Look for interesting rock formations and the unique staircases on the Ladder Trail for more dramatic shots.
Drone usage is restricted in Acadia National Park to protect wildlife and visitor experience. Always check the latest park regulations before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
💑 Couples & Adventurous Pairs
The South Ridge Dorr Trail also offers a challenging and rewarding hike with stunning views, perfect for a couple seeking an active outing. Consider timing your hike for sunrise or sunset for a truly romantic and breathtaking experience, especially as a quieter alternative to Cadillac Mountain. 🚶 Day-Trippers
Arrive early to secure parking and avoid the midday heat. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Dorr Mountain Trails
Many find this trail to be the most thrilling but also the most demanding. For those seeking a less intense ascent, the South Ridge Dorr Trail is a highly recommended alternative. It still offers a strenuous workout with beautiful scenery but avoids the most challenging ladder sections. It's crucial to be aware of trail conditions, especially during different seasons. In winter, trails can become icy and treacherous, requiring proper gear and extreme caution.
Some hikers have reported getting lost on the way down, emphasizing the importance of carrying a map or using a reliable navigation app. Consider the Dorr Mountain South Ridge Loop for a well-rounded experience, combining ascents and descents that showcase different aspects of the mountain. Some trails also connect to Cadillac Mountain, allowing for longer, more ambitious hikes.
Remember that there are no facilities like restrooms on the trails, so plan accordingly before you set out.Dorr Mountain vs. Cadillac Mountain
This can detract from the experience for those seeking a more serene natural encounter. Dorr Mountain, located nearby, offers a compelling alternative for those who prefer a quieter, more challenging ascent with equally stunning views. Hikers often choose Dorr Mountain for its more rugged trails, including the notable Ladder Trail, which provides a more adventurous climb compared to the drive-up access of Cadillac.
The summit of Dorr Mountain provides a comparable, if not superior, vantage point for sunrise and sunset, without the overwhelming throngs of people. This makes Dorr Mountain an excellent choice for photographers and nature enthusiasts looking for a more intimate connection with Acadia's landscape.Both mountains are within Acadia National Park and require an entrance pass. However, the experience on Dorr Mountain is distinctly more about the physical journey and the reward of reaching the summit through your own effort, offering a different kind of satisfaction than the more accessible Cadillac Mountain.
Seasonal Beauty of Dorr Mountain
The air is fresh, and the trails are often less crowded than in the peak summer months. This is a great time for those who enjoy vibrant green foliage and the awakening of nature.Summer brings lush greenery and warmer temperatures, making it ideal for longer hikes. However, this is also the busiest season in Acadia National Park, so expect more fellow hikers on the trails. The fall foliage paints the landscape in stunning hues of red, orange, and yellow, offering a spectacular visual display. The crisp air and cooler temperatures make for comfortable hiking conditions.
Winter presents a dramatically different, yet equally beautiful, scene. Hiking Dorr Mountain on a snowy day can be an unforgettable experience, with breathtaking views of a snow-covered landscape.
However, winter conditions require significant preparation, including appropriate gear for ice and snow, and a heightened awareness of safety due to potentially treacherous trail conditions. 
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit