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First Sunrise in America
Three places in Maine have a claim, and the winner changes with the season. This works it out from the sun’s position rather than repeating the postcard version.
Today: Friday, August 21, 2026
First light lands on Mars Hill at 5:33 AM EDT, 1m 57s ahead of Katahdin.
| Place | Sunrise | Behind | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mars Hill | 5:33 AM EDT | leader | 533 m |
| Katahdin | 5:35 AM EDT | +1m 57s | 1606 m |
| West Quoddy Head | 5:37 AM EDT | +3m 41s | 15 m |
| Eastport | 5:37 AM EDT | +3m 49s | 10 m |
| Cadillac Mountain | 5:39 AM EDT | +5m 59s | 466 m |
The first light drifts north, then back
It is one movement, not three separate claims. The sun rises south of east in winter and swings well north of east by midsummer, so the point of first light in the United States travels up the Maine coast through spring and comes back down through autumn.
- Cadillac MountainNov 18 to Jan 24
- West Quoddy HeadJan 25 to Mar 15
- Mars HilltodayMar 16 to Sep 27
- West Quoddy HeadSep 28 to Nov 17
Katahdin and Eastport are on the map but never lead in 2026, however high or however far east they are.
Who leads, and when
Computed day by day for 2026. The last column is the biggest lead each place opens up during its stretch, which is a fairer measure than the margin on the day it takes over: that is always a second or two, because that is what a changeover is.
| Dates | First light | Biggest lead |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 18 to Jan 24 | Cadillac Mountain | 39s |
| Jan 25 to Mar 15 | West Quoddy Head | 30s |
| Mar 16 to Sep 27 | Mars Hill | 2m 47s |
| Sep 28 to Nov 17 | West Quoddy Head | 30s |
The contenders
- Mars Hill: Higher and much further north than Cadillac, close to the New Brunswick border. Wins for roughly half the year, which surprises most people.
- Katahdin: The highest point in Maine by a wide margin, but far enough west that its height never quite pays for the longitude.
- West Quoddy Head: The easternmost point of land in the United States. Almost at sea level, so it wins on longitude alone.
- Eastport: The easternmost city in the United States, a few miles north of West Quoddy Head and a few seconds behind it.
- Cadillac Mountain: The tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the United States, and the one with the famous claim. Its height is doing the work, not its longitude.
Common questions
Does Cadillac Mountain really get the first sunrise in America?
Only for part of the year, and by a much smaller margin than the claim usually suggests. On our calculation Cadillac leads for roughly ten weeks around midwinter. For most of the year the first light lands on Mars Hill in Aroostook County or on West Quoddy Head at Lubec.
Why does the answer change through the year?
The sun does not rise due east. In summer it rises well north of east, which favours places further north, and in winter it rises south of east, which favours places further south and east. Elevation matters too: standing higher lets you see over the horizon sooner, which is worth about five minutes on Cadillac and ten on Katahdin.
When is the best time to watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain?
Between early October and early March, when the Cadillac Summit Road is usually open and the sunrise vehicle reservation is not always required. Check the park before travelling, because the road closes for winter and reservation rules change season to season.
Where is the easternmost point in the United States?
West Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine. It is almost at sea level, so it earns its place on longitude alone rather than on height.
Planning a Cadillac sunrise? Check Acadia National Park first — the Summit Road closes for winter, and a sunrise vehicle reservation is required for much of the year.
