Natural Attraction

Acadia National Park Pond

Natural Attraction★ 4.9
Pond in Acadia National Park bordered by pines, with blue water and distant forested hills under a clear sky.

Turquoise water crowns a circular lake beside the Jordan Pond House lawn and the distant Bubbles. The cirque walls rise steeply around the basin, reflecting light off craggy faces. Jordan Pond is Acadia's deepest, clearest lake and even serves as a public water supply for Seal Harbor. Its origin lies in glacial activity: a Wisconsin-age glacier gouged the basin and left a moraine dam that traps meltwater.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates
44.3225, -68.2517
Accessibility
Partial; some paths accessible; uneven footing

Conditions & safety

Permits Required
0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions
The Bubbles; Jordan Pond Path; carriage roads
Nearby Facilities
Jordan Pond House; Hulls Cove Visitor Center; park headquarters
Best Time To Visit
Late spring through fall; sunrise and sunset provide the best lighting; plan for crowds and limited parking in summer.
Tips Advice
  • Arrive before 8am for parking
  • Stay to designated paths; rocks get slick when wet
  • The Jordan Pond Path offers continuous views around the pond
  • Bring layers; it can be chilly by the water
Insider Tips
  • Arrive before 8am for parking;
  • Check the lawn before a photo; the wind can pick up;
  • Do the Jordan Pond Path for full pond views.

More details

Park Area
Acadia National Park
Family Friendly Notes
Flat lawns; watch kids near edges; keep away from water's edge
Attraction Type
Geological Formation
Elevation Feet
276
Accessibility Level
Partial accessibility; Jordan Pond House area accessible; Jordan Pond Path is not fully accessible.
How To Get There
From Park Loop Road, turn onto Jordan Pond Road; parking in the North Lot or South Lot; walk to the Jordan Pond House lawn for views.
Parking Availability
Fills quickly; early arrival recommended.
Road Type
Paved
Seasonal Access
Park Loop Road open year-round; Dec 1–Apr 14 closure; winter access limited.
Entry Fees
Varies
Main Features
Tarn with moraine dam; deep, clear water; surrounding Bubbles and Jordan Pond House lawn
What Youll See
Turquoise water, Bubbles peaks, lawn views; continuous pond shoreline
Unique Characteristics
Deepest, clearest lake in Acadia; public water supply for Seal Harbor
Safety Considerations
Slippery rocks, uneven footing, crowds; follow designated paths; no edge barriers
Best Viewpoints
Jordan Pond House lawn viewing deck; around the Jordan Pond Path
Photo Opportunities
Sunrise over the pond with Bubbles; reflections in calm water
Photography Spots
Jordan Pond House lawn; along the Park Loop Road with water reflections
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Golden-hour light on Bubbles and pond
Visitor Center Present
1
Restrooms Available
1
Restroom Type
Flush toilets
Picnic Areas
1
Interpretive Signs
1
Cell Service
Spotty; plan ahead
Water Available
0
Guided Tours Available
0
Trailheads Here
Jordan Pond Path starts near Jordan Pond House; connects to Bubbles trails
Connecting Trails
Jordan Pond Path connects to Bubbles trails; carriage roads nearby
Nearby Services
Jordan Pond House; Hulls Cove Visitor Center; park headquarters
Common Wildlife
Loons, gulls, mergansers, frogs, beavers, occasional moose; peregrine falcons
Best Wildlife Times
Early morning or late afternoon
Fall Colors Peak
Late September to October
Geological Formation Type
Tarn
Scientific Interest
Glacial history, high oxygen and clarity; moraine-dam dynamics; cirque formation
Road Opening Dates
Park Loop Road closed Dec 1–Apr 14; openings vary by year
Snow Lingering
Snow lingers into spring at higher elevations
Winter Access
Limited; facilities reduced; paths uneven
Best Visit Times
Sunrise and golden hours; weekdays to dodge crowds
Best Season
Late spring through fall
Weather Patterns
Fog common in shoulder seasons; warm summers; afternoon showers
Peak Fill Times
By 8am in peak season
Busiest Season
Summer and fall
Lake Size
187 acres
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
Reviewers rate Jordan Pond highly for its water clarity and scenery. The lawn vantage by the Jordan Pond House remains a reliable angle for seeing the Bubbles, though parking and crowds surge in summer.

Location

Rocky overlook above a tranquil pond in Acadia National Park, with pine trees and a clear blue sky.Rocky shoreline with evergreen pines frames a tranquil pond scene along Acadia National ParkAcadia National Park Pond at sunrise, with pink-orange sky over the water and distant islands.Acadia National Park Pond along a rocky shoreline with a sandy beach and pine-covered cliffs nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 8am to get parking?

Parking fills quickly; arrive early or plan for overflow; Jordan Pond North Lot and South Lot help during peak season.

Is the Jordan Pond Path easy for someone with limited mobility?

Parts of the loop are uneven; the Jordan Pond House area offers accessible viewpoints, but the full path is not fully accessible.

Is it worth the 3.3-mile loop around the pond?

Yes; the loop provides continuous water views around the pond and the Bubbles; footing can be uneven in sections.

Is the water actually blue, or is that just photos?

The water reads blue-green in sun and is exceptionally clear from glacially derived feed; depth and light produce the color.

Can I bring my dog to the Jordan Pond area?

Dogs are allowed on most Acadia trails but must be leashed; check specific leash rules near Jordan Pond House.

Little Harbor Brook

Shallow brook beside a mossy trail; formed by glacial erosion and meltwater through Ellsworth Schist.

Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake — glacially carved freshwater lake with clear, deep water in Acadia NP

Cadillac Mountain

Granite crown; first light on the U.S. coast; sculpted by ancient glaciers.

Jordan Pond

Glacial tarn, 150 ft deep, 61 ft visibility; 3.3-mile loop around Jordan Pond.

Sources

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.