Golden Hour at Acadia National Park
Maine, United States — Rocky Atlantic coastline — first place to see sunrise in the US.
Golden hour at Acadia National Park varies from 48 minutes in the morning to 48 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:05 in January to 07:02 in December. Rocky Atlantic coastline — first place to see sunrise in the US. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:05 | 16:19 | 46m | 46m | 119° ESE | 241° WSW |
| Feb | 06:32 | 17:02 | 41m | 41m | 107° ESE | 253° WSW |
| Mar | 06:45 | 18:39 | 38m | 38m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 05:49 | 19:17 | 39m | 39m | 75° ENE | 285° WNW |
| May | 05:05 | 19:53 | 42m | 42m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Jun | 04:48 | 20:18 | 44m | 44m | 55° NE | 305° NW |
| Jul | 05:03 | 20:15 | 43m | 43m | 58° ENE | 302° WNW |
| Aug | 05:36 | 19:37 | 40m | 40m | 69° ENE | 290° WNW |
| Sep | 06:12 | 18:43 | 38m | 38m | 85° E | 275° W |
| Oct | 06:48 | 17:48 | 40m | 40m | 101° ESE | 259° WSW |
| Nov | 06:29 | 16:05 | 44m | 44m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
| Dec | 07:02 | 15:54 | 48m | 48m | 123° ESE | 237° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Acadia National Park
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: June
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
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| Jan | |
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| Jun | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Acadia National Park?
- Golden hour at Acadia National Park varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 48m and evening 48m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Acadia National Park?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:05 in January to 07:02 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Acadia National Park?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 123° ESE in winter to 55° NE in summer. Sunset shifts from 237° WSW to 305° NW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Acadia National Park?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are June, July, May.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Acadia National Park?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:25. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Acadia National Park?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Acadia National Park?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Acadia National Park during June, July, May. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Acadia National Park good for astrophotography?
- Acadia National Park has up to 4 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, July, May). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Grand Prismatic Spring 3341 km
- Arches National Park 3458 km
- Glacier National Park 3462 km
- Vermilion Lakes 3554 km
- Kirkjufell 3566 km