What to Do in Acadia National Park: 5 Ready-to-Go Itineraries

Planning a trip to Acadia National Park? Whether you have just one day or a full five-day vacation, these ready-to-go itineraries make it easy to explore the best of Acadia and nearby Bar Harbor. Each one offers a unique way to experience the park, from iconic viewpoints and sunrise hikes to hidden gems and scenic road trips.

We created these itineraries after spending three weeks in the area during peak fall foliage season. With so many short but rewarding trails and beautiful scenic drives, Acadia is perfect for day trips that stack multiple highlights into one unforgettable experience.

Here are 5 one-day Acadia itineraries you can mix, match, or follow one per day to plan the perfect visit.

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1. The Adventurer

If you're looking for a full day of iconic hikes, coastal views, and thrilling climbs, this is the one for you.

Morning

• Arrive early and park at Sand Beach Parking Lot.

• Hike the Beehive Trail, a short but exciting climb with iron rungs and ladders. Best for hikers comfortable with heights.

• Walk Ocean Path from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. This flat, coastal trail gives you access to some of Acadia’s most famous viewpoints.

Midday

• Enjoy a picnic lunch at Sand Beach. Or head to a nearby lobster pound like C-Rays if you need a break.

• Optional: Add on the Great Head Trail, which also starts at Sand Beach.

Afternoon

• Hike the Precipice Trail, Acadia’s most thrilling climb with steeper elevation and more iron rungs. Less crowded in the late afternoon.

Itinerary Summary:

• Beehive Trail

• Ocean Path (Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs)

• [Optional] Great Head Trail

• Precipice Trail

Dog-friendly? Beehive and Precipice are not dog-friendly. Ocean Path is. Sand Beach is restricted June 15–Sept 8.

💡 RTL Tip: Start your day with breakfast and pack a lunch so you can stay out exploring without needing to backtrack. Arrive early to snag a spot at Sand Beach Parking Lot. It's one of the best base points in Acadia, giving you easy access to Beehive, Ocean Path, and more without needing to re-park. While ending the day at Precipice means a bit of extra driving, we found it totally worth it; the trail is far less crowded in the late afternoon, making for a more peaceful (and less rushed) climb.

Beehive Trail

Thunder Hole

Precipice Trail

2. The Classic

For first-timers or anyone wanting the best of the best, this itinerary checks all the major boxes.

Morning

• Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain (reservation required). If you can’t get a spot, consider hiking Gorham Mountain instead.

• Breakfast in Bar Harbor at Cafe This Way.

Late Morning to Afternoon

• Drive Park Loop Road. Stop at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.

• Visit Jordan Pond and walk part or all of the Jordan Pond Loop.

• Head to the Bubbles for a short hike or roadside view of Bubble Rock.

Evening

• Finish the loop drive and watch for sunset over Hulls Cove.

• Dinner at C-Rays or Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound.

Itinerary Summary:

• Cadillac Mountain

• Downtown Bar Harbor

• Park Loop Road

• Sand Beach & Thunder Hole

• Jordan Pond

• The Bubbles

Dog-friendly? Yes! This itinerary is fully dog-friendly.

💡 RTL Tip: If you’re also planning to follow the Adventurer Road Trip, feel free to drive past Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs on this loop since those stops are already included in that itinerary. But if you're not planning to do both, make time to enjoy the views at those classic stops, especially Thunder Hole and ideally about an hour before high tide for the full wave-crashing effect. Once you reach Jordan Pond, hop out and walk as much or as little of the 3-mile loop as you’d like. It’s one of Acadia’s most popular trails, and the boardwalk views of The Bubbles are worth the crowds. You can continue on foot to hike the North and South Bubble summits or, if you’d rather skip the climb, just drive to the scenic roadside pull-off and admire Bubble Rock from below.

Park Loop Road

Jordan Pond

Bubble Rock

3. The Bit of Everything

A mix of adventure, coastal views, and classic Acadia moments will be found in this ‘Bit of Everything’ itinerary!

Morning

• Start with the Beech Cliffs Ladder Trail (park at Echo Lake Beach). Not dog-friendly, but short and fun with great views.

Midday

• Drive to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Be sure to take the side trail behind the parking lot for the famous photo view.

• Stop for lunch at Seaside Dairy Bar and Lobster Pound.

Afternoon Options

• The Bubbles (for another short hike and scenic overlook)

• Jesup Path for a peaceful golden hour walk

• Dinner at The Travelin' Lobster

Itinerary Summary:

• Beech Cliffs Ladder Trail

• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

• Seaside Dairy Bar

• Optional: The Bubbles or Jesup Path

• Dinner at The Travelin' Lobster

Dog-friendly? Most stops are, except Beech Cliffs Trail.

💡 RTL Tip: After your climb, take time to soak in the views of Echo Lake from both the beach and the summit by following the trail to the right after reaching the top for the best vantage point. At Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, be sure to explore the less-visible path at the back left of the parking lot, which leads to the iconic photo view. Once you’ve grabbed lunch at Seaside Dairy Bar, you can build the rest of your day around your interests: add a short hike at The Bubbles, enjoy a golden hour walk along Jesup Path, or head into Bar Harbor. If you’re driving toward Ellsworth, stop for dinner at The Travelin’ Lobster... their hot lobster roll was our favorite of the trip!

Beech Cliffs

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Jesup Path

4. The Bar Harbor Best

A great mix of Acadia and Bar Harbor with minimal driving and lots of coastal charm.

Morning

• Sunrise hike at Gorham Mountain Loop

Midday

• Breakfast at Side Street Cafe

• Walk and shop in downtown Bar Harbor

Afternoon

• Walk the Bar Island Land Bridge at low tide

• Explore Bar Island

• Lunch at Bar Harbor Lobster Co

• Enjoy a drink at Ivy Manor Inn

Itinerary Summary:

• Gorham Mountain sunrise hike

• Downtown Bar Harbor

• Bar Island Land Bridge

Dog-friendly? Yes!

💡 RTL Tip: You know what’s cool about this one? You’re spending time in Bar Harbor, then popping into Acadia National Park... without ever getting back in your car! The Bar Island Land Bridge is a unique experience only accessible around low tide, so be sure to check tide charts before you go. You’ll have about a 3-hour window to explore (1.5 hours before and after low tide), and if you miss it, you’ll either have to wait or call a water taxi. Time it right, and you’ll enjoy a scenic walk to Bar Island, all starting from downtown.

Gorham Mountain Loop

View of Bar Harbor from Bar Island

5. The Secluded Schoodic

For those wanting to escape the crowds, Schoodic Peninsula offers a peaceful and scenic alternative to Mount Desert Island.

All Day

• Drive from MDI to Winter Harbor, then follow the 6-mile one-way scenic drive around Schoodic Peninsula.

• Stop at Schoodic Point and Blueberry Hill

• Optional hikes and short walks available throughout

• Lunch at the Pickled Wrinkle in Birch Harbor

Itinerary Summary:

• Winter Harbor

• Schoodic Peninsula loop drive

• Schoodic Point

• Pickled Wrinkle lunch stop

Dog-friendly? Yes!

💡 RTL Tip: The Schoodic Peninsula makes up just 5% of Acadia National Park but feels like a world away from the busier trails on Mount Desert Island. We get why it’s often skipped—it’s about an hour from Bar Harbor—but if you’ve got the time, it’s absolutely worth the drive. The peaceful coastal views, quiet overlooks, and lack of crowds make this loop one of the most relaxing day trips in the park. Don’t miss a lunch stop at the Pickled Wrinkle in Birch Harbor toward the end of the loop!

Bonus: Only Have One Day?

If you want to do it all in a single day, here’s our top recommendation:

Only Have One Day Itinerary:

• Sunrise at Gorham Mountain Loop

• Walk Ocean Path (Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs)

• Drive Park Loop Road

• Walk the Jordan Pond Loop

• Hike the Precipice Trail

• Dinner at The Travelin' Lobster

A Heads Up: We love adventure and have a dog who travels with us almost everywhere so that factors into our picks! You can see a full breakdown of what this day would look like and our more detailed recommendations here. (Scroll to ‘Day 3’ and the Acadia National Park portion of that road trip.)

Keep planning your perfect road trip to Acadia National Park

Here are 10 of the best hikes in Acadia National Park.
And here’s our pick for the 6 best things to do in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.

Exploring more of New England? Check out our Wicked Good 10-Day New England Road Trip.

Or click here to read posts from New Hampshire.
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And click here for Lake Placid guides & itineraries!

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