Jordan Pond Path Trailhead
Hiking area · Hancock County ·

Jordan Pond Path Trailhead

Hiking area · Hancock County ·

Scenic loop trail with clear pond, mountain views, and boardwalk

gorgeous views
well-maintained path
families with children
picnic
popovers
lemonade
gift shop
wheelchair accessible parking lot
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead by null

Information

Seal Harbor, ME 04675 Get directions

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

Seal Harbor, ME 04675 Get directions

npplan.com
AcadiaNPS

Features

•Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jan 30, 2026

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This Easy Hike in Acadia National Park Is One of Its Most Scenic—With Peaceful Forest, a Mirror-like Lake, and Mountain Backdrops

"A scenic 3.3-mile loop in Acadia National Park with calm shoreline views and postcard vistas of the North and South Bubble mountains, it offers mostly easy walking on compact gravel, granite rocks by the waterline, and raised wooden boardwalks through marshier stretches. Beginning near the historic Jordan Pond House, the route passes a strikingly clear pond whose still surface often mirrors the sky, and birds, frogs, and small woodland animals are commonly seen, especially in the morning. Late spring through mid-fall is the sweet spot—cool and fresh in late spring, ideal hiking weather in summer with full park services, and vivid foliage from late September to mid-October—while winter can be slippery and may obscure the boardwalks and rocks. Because Jordan Pond serves as a public water supply, swimming and boating aren’t allowed." - Taryn White Taryn White Taryn White is a D.C.-based travel writer who covers a wide range of topics, including family travel, hotels, food, aviation, beaches, historical and cultural topics, and wellness travel. She can often be spotted around the world with her husband and two travel-loving kids. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/jordan-pond-path-acadia-national-park-11848567
Jordan Pond Path Trailhead

Aimée

Google
Five stars because the scenery was absolutely magical. This is probably one of the most trafficked trails in Acadia, on account of it being iconic, as well as an easier trail (more of a path). I went counterclockwise as I read online beforehand that this direction had better aesthetics. This, however, meant a good section of the last part of the trail was walking over a lot of rocks (much like a section of the Eagle Lake trail). It also meant the boardwalk section was towards the end, too. For those who walk the boardwalk section and actually stop to read the sign, it talks about the sensitive ecosystem along the lake, and how staying on the boardwalk is important so as to not disturb or destroy the ecosystem. Because of this, they conveniently built the boardwalk with spaced out sections to step to the side to allow others to pass. Unfortunately, I saw several examples of people with poor or no hiking etiquette, who either stepped off the boardwalk completely to let people pass, or who passed right along me when they had the opportunity to step to the side to wait for me to pass. Disappointing. In spite of that (and the busy parking lot/trying to find parking), this trail really was beautiful. If you have enough patience, it's definitely worth it.

Mike

Google
Great hike around the lake that takes about an hour. With photos it takes much longer and that‘s guaranteed because the lake is a real beauty. As with every hike in the national park, you should start from one of the two car parks by 10 a.m. at the latest. The hike is very easy. I advise families to hike around the lake counterclockwise so that you have the cooler wooden paths and rocks on the second half of the hike, which keeps the kids entertained. At the end of the hike you can fortify yourself with the apparently famous pastry and lemon lemonade at the Jordan Pond Restaurant. In summer there were a lot of wasps there, so we made ourselves comfortable under an apple tree below the restaurant.

Laverne G.

Google
Jordan Pond is one of Acadia National Park’s most serene and picture-perfect destinations — a place that feels untouched by time. The trail circling the pond is peaceful, well-maintained, and offers stunning views from every angle. Walking beneath tall evergreens, you’ll catch glimpses of the pond’s impossibly clear water, where smooth stones shimmer beneath the surface and sunlight dances across gentle ripples. The air is crisp and cool, filled with the scent of pine and the quiet rhythm of nature. Every turn along the path reveals new perspectives — from forested stretches that open to reflections of the Bubbles Mountains to quiet coves perfect for sitting and taking in the view. The clarity of the water is remarkable, allowing you to see deep into the rocky bottom, and the surrounding hills create a natural amphitheater of color in autumn. This is an ideal trail for all skill levels: flat, scenic, and accessible, with plenty of spots to rest or photograph the landscape. Whether you come early in the morning for solitude or later in the day to watch the sun illuminate the hills, Jordan Pond embodies Acadia’s tranquil beauty. It’s the kind of place that lingers in your memory long after you’ve left.

Jemlnlx

Google
A very popular place during the peak season. We visited mid-week in late August and could NOT find parking in either of the lots at 11:30am and 2pm…we opted to return later in the day around 5pm and there were lots of spaces available. Most of the crowd had emptied out by that time. The restaurant is there with those highly sought-after popovers but reservations are required. There is also a gift shop there. It is a short walk down some shallow steps to Jordan Pond itself. The loop there offers some great views of the pond and mountains in the background. The classic photo location is available immediately at the bottom of those steps. With all-day southern light, you should get some great photos during most of the day. You definitely want to work this into your Acadia visit…but plan ahead. For reference, during our visit to this location…we did NOT have to show our Acadia Park Pass.

Taylor H.

Google
Really beautiful hiking spot - we went in the late afternoon to see the sunset there and it was a beautiful view. It was a little crowded, especially at the beginning of the trail where people were stopping to take photos. There’s a big section that has a narrow path of wood planks to protect the ground that was crowded due to the narrow path and then there’s a section that’s more difficult to navigate as you have to climb over rocks but overall it’s an easy hike, about 3.5 miles.

Cathy C

Google
Gorgeous views! The trail is about 90% easy (well defined, mostly level path, boardwalk walkways) and about 10% climbing over large rocks in one section of the trail. I added pics of the rocks you need to climb over to continue on the trail. I'm 55 and in decent shape and was able to do it with minimal difficulty. If you're moderately fit, you'll have no problems. There were many families with small children and older folks doing the hike. There are plenty of places to "pull over" and take a breather with beautiful views. I would not recommend it for anyone with mobility issues unless you turned back when you reach the rocks, which may also be worth it for the views. The loop is a little over 3 miles and connects to the Bubble Rock trail if you're up to that mile long uphill detour (I wasn't). Also, you need to get there EARLY to get a parking spot. I would definitely recommend this hike.

Philip A.

Google
Good: beautiful scenery, some spots to stop and sit, long enough for people to enjoy with some peace. Bad: the path is mostly on wooden planks where two people barely fit. You have to make way for others, and you must look down most of the time so you don’t fall off the planks. Parking is limited at least on the restaurant side where you’ll be competing with people wanting to eat at the restaurant. Also I wouldn’t recommend it for dog walking because there’s mud off the planks.

randall S.

Google
Beautiful, of course. Nice and mostly level walk around...there is a bit of scree/tallus to navigate, so chose your hiking mates carefully. The trail narrows in spots and you can have short waits on the boardwalk section, but most walkers are courteous, so the flow continues fairly unimpeded. We loved having our big dog with us but there are lots of other trails better suited for hound-walkers (especially when this trail gets congested).