Create paths in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) with the Island Designer app on your NookPhone. Learn tips and tricks on how to make custom path designs in the Island Designer app!

How to Unlock and Create Paths

1. Unlock the Island Designer App

To create paths on your island, you will need to unlock the Island Designer app on your NookPhone. You will get this when your island reaches a 3-Star rating, and K.K. Slider visits for the first time.

Island Designer and Terraforming Unlock Walkthrough

2. Choose a Path Option by Pressing the + Button

Upon launching the app, you can press the + button to open up the selection menu where you can select between permits.

Unlock more path permits by exchanging Nook Miles

You can get more types of path permits by unlocking them using Nook Miles. When you unlock the app, you will have the Grass and the Dirth Path by default.

List of Path Permits
Grass Unlocked from the beginning	Dirt Path Unlocked from the beginning	Stone Path 2,000 Miles	Brick Path 2,000 Miles
Dark Dirt Path 2,000 Miles	Arched Tile Path 2,000 Miles	Sand Path 2,000 Miles	Terra-Cotta Path 2,000 Miles
Wooden Path 2,000 Miles	Custom Design Path 22,300 Miles	-	-

What Should You Spend Nook Miles on First?

3. Press A to Construct the Path

After selecting the path type, press the A button on the ground to construct one path tile.

Tiles of the same path will automatically merge, while paths of different types will have little space between them.

Press A on a Path Edge to Round It

To round path edges, press A on the tile to round the edge. To do so, there must an adjacent tile of the same path type.

Take note that you cannot round the edges of Custom Design paths.

How to Delete an Existing Path

Press A using the same path permit, or select the Grass to bring back the original grass.

Path Construction Tips and Tricks

Palm Trees Grow on Sand Path

With the Sand Path, feel free to plant Palm Trees anywhere! We recommend this if you want Palm Trees on your orchard, or if you want to easily catch expensive beetles in the summer.

How to Get Palm Trees on Your Island

You Can Make Paths Under Bridges and Building Entrances

Create paths under bridges and building entrances such as houses and facilities.

You cannot make paths under the entrance of Nook's Cranny

Unlike most buildings, you cannot create paths under the entrance of Nook's Cranny.

Use Round and Straight Edges to Create Shapes

Play around with edges to create interesting shapes! Mix and match straight and round edges to create circles, hearts, and more.

Design Using Different Kinds of Paths

Paths of different types will not merge when they are next to each other. Use this to mix and match path types to create fun paths!

Personalize Paths with Custom Designs

Bring personal touches to your island using Custom Designs. You can place Custom Designs on top of existing paths, and it will naturally take up the space of that path.

Top Custom Design Patterns for Paths, Floors, and Ground

Related Guides

All Tips & Tricks

Reshape Your Island

Reshape Your Island
How Close Can You Plant Trees?	How to Chop Wood and Pull Up Trees
How to Get Palm Trees on Your Island	How to Get a Cherry Blossom Tree
Rock Guide	How to Plant Flowers
How to Build and Destroy Bridges	How to Build Slopes, Stairs and Inclines
How to Get More Housing Kits | Selling Plots of Land	How to Change the Island Tune
Terraforming Guide and Ideas	How to Create Paths
How to Make Shaped Ponds	How to Make Waterfalls
How to Keep Trees Small and Stop Tree Growth	All Building and Plot Sizes
Cliff Ideas | How to Make Good Looking Cliffs	How to Make Natural Rivers