Enjoy Jordan Pond In The Early Morning Dew

Jordan Pond Loop Path

Acadia National Park is notorious for being home to a variety of trees, expansive coastline, unique mountains, and of course, plenty of interesting wildlife. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in the US because it’s magnificent but SO accessible. I have been to plenty of national parks that seem to cater more toward very avid hikers with difficult trails and unique terrain challenges. And while Acadia National Park has its fair share of difficult trails, it also has so many amazing, digestible trails that are great for all skill levels such as Jordan Pond.

Jordan Pond Path in Acadia National Park is a loop around a large pond that is perfect for a long morning walk or even an evening stroll. Not only will you have plenty of spots to stop and snap some pics, but you can even round out your walk with a stop at the Jordan Pond House for tea or lunch. This is one of my favorite beginner hikes in Acadia, but even if you have been hiking for years, I know you’ll love this trail.

Jordan Pond Hike at a Glance

Length: 3.1 Miles
Height: 291 Feet
Elevation Gain: 42 Feet
Type: Loop
My Rating: Easy/ Moderate due to length 
Dog Friendly: Yes, for a well-behaved dog that is not scared of walking on planks.
Would we do it again: Yes, EARLY in the morning with a cup of coffee!

Jordan Pond Trail Description

Settled in between multiple mountains, Jordan Pond has a glassy surface that often reflects the scenery around it, making the area stunning. Both South Bubble Mountain and North Bubble Mountain can be admired from the Jordan Pond Path. To access the path, it is recommended that hikers go to the Jordan Pond North parking lot, which is roughly 3.7 miles south of Cadillac Mountain Summit Road.

Once you park, walk toward the boat launch to get started on the trail. You can choose to do the path clockwise or counterclockwise, but I don’t think one is better than the other. I’ve done both and loved both. The path is really taken care of and easy to walk along, and it’s flat most of the way. If you go counterclockwise, you’ll first cross a number of wooden bridges to get across the streams that feed into the lake.

Getting Technical in a Good Way

As the trail goes on, it does get a bit more technical and will throw a couple boulders at you, followed by gravel. There’s nothing too intimidating on this trail, but you won’t be able to do it without paying attention. Definitely no texting and hiking allowed here – but it’s also not really something I’d recommend anywhere. Lol!

You’ll encounter multiple sections with wooden planks as there are many marshy areas, you know, because it’s a pond. It’s important to stay on the trail provided, especially when it comes to bridges and planks. Not only will they protect you from dealing with buggy, muddy, wet ground, but these structures are also in place to protect the flora and fauna in the area.

You can choose to stop at Jordan Pond House – which is quite iconic – for a quick tea or stay for lunch. This isn’t something I do every time I hike this trail, but I think it’s something you should do at least once if you can!

Lake Facts

I know you’re all dying to know more about this pond, so I’m going to tell you. Some of what you’re going to read might shock you; don’t say you weren’t warned. First off, Jordan Pond is Acadia National Park’s deepest and clearest LAKE. Confusing, right? It’s called Jordan Pond, but it’s a lake, and a big one at that! At 187 acres in size, it’s also the second-biggest lake in the park.

Jordan Pond is an active public drinking source, so getting in the water is completely prohibited. This goes for your pup, too! I know how badly they’ll want to splash around in the pond, and to be honest, on hot days, it’s even hard for me to stay out, but respecting the area is the biggest priority. If nature lovers don’t set a good example, then who will, right? 

Jordan Pond House

All the way back in 1847 – way before Acadia National Park existed – local settlers established a mill near the pond to serve their logging operation. A small farmhouse was built by the Jordan family, which is the namesake of the pond and house today. But eventually, the area turned into a bustling summer getaway and the Jordan Pond House became a restaurant to serve the visitors.

Even way back then, popovers and tea were served by the McIntire family who ran the restaurant. Popovers and tea are still served there today, and I love that there’s such a deep-rooted piece of history that you can enjoy on this trail.

Fast forward to 1928 and none other than John D. Rockefeller Jr. bought the property to donate to the national park service in 1940. The McIntire’s were still operating the restaurant, but at that point, it officially became part of Acadia NP and a highlight of Jordan Pond Path.

I wish I could say that everything lived happily ever after from there, but in 1979, a fire tore down the entire building. History was lost and areas of the park were damaged, but the Jordan Pond House was a landmark in the park, so through local fundraising efforts, the community was able to rebuild and reopen the restaurant in 1982. Now, what many people see as a quick stop for popovers is something that you can visit with an important understanding of the history that made those popovers a reality.

Transportation & Parking

I’m not going to lie, parking for the Jordan Pond Hike can feel a bit like black Friday madness, so you’ll have to be strategic. Early is best to get a spot, but even then, it can be a challenge. There are two parking lots that have access to Jordan Pond, but neither is very large, and they both fill up fast, especially during high season. However, there is a FREE Island Explorer Bus that you can take, so that’s a good option if you have some flexibility in your schedule. 

Don’t Underestimate The Hike At Jordan Pond

I always get worried that when I post about a hike on the easier side of the spectrum, people are going to go in with no preparation or planning. However, keep in mind that you’ll still be on a fairly long hike mileage-wise, in an area with little to no cell service, and the days can get incredibly hot. Your typical hiker safety standards should still be in the back of your mind:

• Bring plenty of water, always more than you think you’ll need. 
• Sun protection is your best friend. No one wants a sunburn that matches the strawberry jam served with your popovers. This includes a hat and eye protection!
• Fuel your body well. Eat a nourishing breakfast that will carry you through the entire hike. Even if you plan to stop at Jordan Pond House for food, if you don’t make a reservation, you could end up having to complete the hike without any other food. It’s always a good idea to bring snacks (obviously!)
• Listen to your body and stop to take breaks when you need them. The scenery on this hike is unreal, so there will be no shortage of pretty views to enjoy.
• Tell someone where you’re going, even on the “easy” hikes that you assume will be no problem.

Your safety is always my top priority, so even if I sound like a broken record, I’m going to say this every time! No popover is worth your health or well-being…even if they come close. 

Getting Into Acadia National Park

You will have to pay to get through the park entrance and make your way to the trailhead. Acadia Park passes purchased at the entrance are good for an entire week. They cost $30 for a car, $25 for a motorcycle, or $15 for an individual walking or biking in. You can also purchase the Acadia Annual Pass for $55. This is a great option if you plan on coming back multiple times.

If you’re feeling really crazy or planning to visit multiple national parks throughout the year, I’d recommend splurging for the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This will get you into any federal national park in the country for FREE, so if you are going to visit 3 or more parks, it pays for itself. 

Our Adventure At Jordan Pond

When I visited this trail with my husband, Alex, we followed my own advice and got there pretty early to get a parking spot. I had to drag my butt out of bed at 6 am after a night of hard rain. It was foggy and drizzling and I did NOT want to get out from the warm covers, but I persevered. Obstacle 1: conquered.

We got to the parking lot at 7 am, but even at that point, it was almost full! Keep in mind that this was a Tuesday. We did manage to snag one of the remaining spots and headed to the bathroom before hitting the trail. I don’t think this is the place for any squatting action if you have to go on the trail, so I knew we better get our business out of the way beforehand.

Making New Friends

When I was waiting outside of the bathroom for Alex, I met another couple who were also on vacation. They were extremely friendly, and we got to chatting and I found out it was their first visit to Acadia National Park. They were loving it, but the day before, their visit to Thunder Hole had disappointed them. However, Alex came back, and we figured out that they had gone at the wrong time. Thunder Hole’s “coolness” is totally dependent on that tide, so we told them to go back at a different time to get the full experience. 

Eventually, we parted ways and I hit the trail with Alex. We opted for the counterclockwise route, and even with a light drizzle and some puddles making things more interesting, the trail was absolutely spectacular! The first half was filled with gravel and a couple of wood bridges. It also had some bonus puddles that would have been GREAT for splashing. Okay, you caught me, I may have done soooooome splashing because I just couldn’t help myself – it was worth it!

The Halfway Point

About halfway through the hike, we crossed a wooden bridge with an archway that took us over the stream. After the bridge, the hike got a bit more rocky and technical, but it wasn’t too hard. There were some small boulder crossings we got to enjoy, too! The trail started to pick up in terms of busyness even though it was rainy. The crossings required a bit of a wait to let everyone go, but I liked that nothing felt rushed, and people could still pass if needed. 

Then, the trail became a wooden plank system. I felt like I was living out my childhood dream of being a gymnast, but I was so thankful for the planks because otherwise it would have been MUDDY. After getting back to a gravel area, we ran into the couple we had met outside the bathrooms earlier. We stopped and chatted for another minute, but they had taken the trail the opposite way, so we said our goodbyes, and both continued our hikes.

Ahhhh, People!

When we made it back to the parking lot, it was COMPLETELY FULL. Oh my goodness I couldn’t believe how busy it was. We made our way to our car and started the journey to get out of the parking lot. Before we left, we saw our new friends again and asked them how their hike was. They loved the hike too, so you don’t have to just take my word for it.

Lodging Near Acadia National Park

One of the things I love most about Acadia National Park is that it’s sort of intermixed with the town of Bar Harbor and the surrounding area. The amenities available make it a bit more luxurious than other national park adventures. 

While you can totally find spots to camp in the area if that’s your speed, you can also find really nice hotels, cottages, or even rent an Airbnb. While I love to hike, I don’t always love to camp or “rough it.” I’d rather get dirty during the day then have a nice hot shower and a comfy bed waiting for me at the end of it.

Bar Harbor is a quaint coastal town that is centered around tourism. There are a lot of adventures and tours you can take part in that are separate from exploring Acadia National Park, so you could spend multiple days in the area and never get bored. 

Acadia Inn

I haven’t stayed in this hotel yet, but it always seems like such a fun spot to me. It has beautiful landscaping and comfortable rooms, and it’s so close to all the action. I mean, it’s literally called the Acadia Inn, so it’s got to be close to everything, right?

Yellow House Inn

This small inn is right in the center of the action in Bar Harbor, plus it looks so cozy! It doesn’t have a ton of rooms, so your stay will feel personalized and catered to you. The staff is exceptional, and you’ll want to lounge in the beds forever, but you’ll have so much to get out and explore that you won’t be able to. 

Emery’s Cottages on the Shore

If you don’t want to be right in the town center, and would rather wake up to an ocean view, these cottages are perfect! They are on a private beach and offer a great spot to watch the sunset. Cabins range from small, single-room cabins to larger ones that are great for families. Psst, this happens to be my favorite place to stay!

Obviously, these are just a few examples, but you’ll have so many options when it comes to lodging. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can wait until the last minute to book your accommodations! You’ll still want to make reservations far in advance, especially if you’re going during the summer. 

Jordan Pond Acadia is a Must See

At this point, I have been to Acadia National Park a handful of times. I absolutely love it and I feel like every time I visit. I see new hidden gems and explore amazing areas, so I keep coming back. I’ve taken my mom, my husband, my niece, and even my friends. It’s a great place to explore with the people you love. Now, I plan to do the Jordan Pond Hike each time I visit. It’s a great way to break up days with more strenuous hikes. If you’re in Acadia, this should definitely be on your list.