Can You See Acadia National Park in One Day?

Yes — and if you plan it right, you can see the highlights without feeling rushed.

If you only have one day in Acadia National Park, you need to be strategic. The park is spread across Mount Desert Island, parking fills early, and driving back and forth wastes precious time.

This itinerary shows you exactly what to see, in the right order, so you minimize driving and maximize views.

We’ve done it. It works.

One Day in Acadia National Park – At a Glance

Morning
• Sand Beach
• Ocean Path
• Thunder Hole

Midday
• Cadillac Mountain
• Jordan Pond

Afternoon / Sunset
• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Time needed: 8–10 hours
Driving time minimized by following this exact loop

Detailed One Day Acadia Itinerary

8:00 AM – Arrive at Sand Beach

Beat parking issues. Start Ocean Path.

10:00 AM – Thunder Hole

Best with mid-to-high tide.

11:30 AM – Cadillac Mountain

(Reservation required in peak season.)

1:00 PM – Lunch (Jordan Pond House or picnic)

2:00 PM – Jordan Pond Loop (partial walk)

5:00 PM – Drive to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Sunset – Lighthouse Views

What you can do in one day in Acadia National Park

 

 

I’m sure most people don’t plan to go to Acadia with the idea of doing only one day, but many people plan trips to Maine.  If you find yourself in the position where you can give one day to Acadia, do it!

We are here to show you you can do it!

With only one day to spend in the park you will need to get an early start! We arrived around 10 am and wished we had been there at 8:00-9:00 am. You want to make the most of your daylight hours!

I recommend going to these hikes and overlooks in this order:

• Sand Beach
• Thunder Hole
• Cadillac Mountain
• Jordan Pond
• Bass Harbor Head lighthouse

This will allow you to drive the least and be in certain places at beautiful times of the day. (If you are really early risers you may want to do Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunrise and then head back to Bar Harbor for breakfast before heading to Sand Beach!)

Sand Beach

 

Sand Beach is a fabulous place to take a frigid dip in Maine waters but it is popular because it is the beginning of Ocean path, a 3 mile round trip walking path.

The path will take you past cliffs, beaches, and some of the prettiest views you will find in Acadia. Follow the path to Otter Point and you will pass Thunder Hole.

 

Plan on 1.5 -2 hours to walk the loop and stop to see the sights.

Thunder Hole

Thunder hole is a little channel in the rocks on the shoreline. As water flows in and out the channel sprays water and creates a large thunder sound. You may have to wait for a minute or two for the waves to come in strong, but the spray and the sound are worth waiting for.

Thunder Hole also has a small parking lot if you are forgoing the Ocean path.

Here is a little video we took of the sound!

 

Plan on 15-20 minutes

 

Cadillac Mountain

If you could only go to one place in Acadia, this would be it!

Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in Acadia and is the first place to see the sunrise in the United States (from October -March).  The reason for tourists flocking to the peak early in the morning.

It offers panoramic views of Bar Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. You honestly won’t be able to stop taking pictures!

 

The granite mountain was created by giant glaciers and the rocks have a peculiar etched and rigged appearance. They make for great climbing and scrambling. My kids ran all over the mountain for well over an hour and only left because we were trying to fit so much in.

 

How to get to the peak of Cadillac Mountain

 

Drive to the top! This is the best way to get to the top if you are short on time, but you will miss the beautiful views along the way. (This is what we did to maximize time!)

Plan on spending an hour at the peak.

Most people drive to the top of the mountain but for the adventurous (or those with older kids) there is the North Ridge Trail that is a 2.2 mile trail and a very popular way to get to the peak of Cadillac Mountain. It is a steeper climb than the South Ridge Trail but it will give you more of a climbing experience.

Plan on 1.5-3 hours

If you have more time you can take the South Ridge Trail. It is an 8 mile trail that will take you past a waterfall and give you some spectacular views.

Plan on 3-4 hours

Jordan Pond Path

Jordan Pond is the largest lake in Acadia and has crystal-clear water.  The path around the pond is quite flat and easy to walk. It is long and if you are trying to do this all in a day you won’t want to do the entire 3.5-mile loop.

I would suggest parking at the Jordan Pond North Parking lot and walking for 20 minutes or so, and then turning around. If you have forgone other hikes and want a family-friendly one, you might want to do the loop. (I still think I would choose the Sand Beach trail if I had to pick one family-friendly trail.)

Plan on 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how long you dedicate to the trail.

 

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

 

If you have ever seen pictures of Acadia, odds are you have seen this image of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse before. This lighthouse is so beautifully placed on the rocky cliffs looking down to the beach below. No wonder Maine uses it in tourism campaigns!

You will be leaving Mount Dessert Island to get to this Acadia landmark. That means a little bit of a drive, but totally worth it, especially if you can go around sundown. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking view.

On either side of the lighthouse is a trail to the viewing location. The trail on the right leads you to the actual lighthouse tower. (You can not climb it, but it is cool to see up close.)

 

The trail on the left leads you to steps to the beach and is a great spot to take pictures. That’s where you want to be to enjoy the sunset. You will probably have quite a bit of company so plan on being there around an hour to an hour and a half before sunset so you can find parking.

 

How to get entrance tickets to Acadia National Park

Acadia requires entrance tickets, unlike some National Parks. The fee for a car is $30 for seven days and is non-transferable.

I recommend buying your ticket online and printing it out before you come. It will save you from having to enter certain places to buy one on-site. If you can’t print one out or come at the spur of the moment, you can buy a pass on the village green in Bar Harbor or at Sands Beach.

*In 2020, the park initiated a new program that took place in October. You would have to buy parking passes online for Cadillac Mountain and Sand Beach. This was in an effort to eliminate crowding. You had to book a few days in advance to get the times you wanted, but the pass was only $2 per parking lot. So if you are planning on going during fall foliage season, check ahead about parking passes.

 

FAQ: One Day in Acadia National Park

Can you really see Acadia in one day?
Yes, if you focus on the main highlights and start early.

Do you need reservations for Cadillac Mountain?
Yes during peak season (May–October). Check NPS site.

What is the best time of year for one day in Acadia?
Late September–early October for foliage. June for fewer crowds.

Is one day enough for Acadia?
You’ll see the highlights, but 2–3 days is ideal.

 

You don’t need a full week to fall in love with Acadia.

With an early start and a smart route, one day in Acadia National Park is enough to see granite cliffs, crashing waves, mountain views, and one of the most beautiful lighthouses in New England.

If Maine is already on your itinerary, give Acadia a day. You won’t regret it.

 

 

 

 

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