Long Pond

Long Pond—Ribbon glacial lake, 4 miles long, 897 acres.

Insider tip

Arrive early in peak season; parking fills quickly

Insider tip

Duck Rock vantage north offers strong framing

The light

Alpenglow potential; calm mornings

Heads up

Gravity hazards on connecting trails; slippery needle-covered surfaces; cold water risk in swims; wear sturdy boots; PFDs required for boating; keep distance f…

Natural Attraction

Natural Attraction★ 4.6
Glacial Lake58 ftRestrooms availableNo permit neededGolden-hour pick

Long Pond stretches along Mount Desert Island as a broad, glassy ribbon framed by pines, with Duck Rock lying to the north. The lake is a Pleistocene relic—a glacially carved basin that filled with meltwater to become one of Acadia’s largest lakes. The bedrock here is hundreds of millions of years old, and you’ll spot beavers and deer along the shoreline in the quiet hours.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
Access via Long Pond Trail; parking at the south end of Long Pond Road or the Gilley Field lot; trailheads at the boat ramp and related junctions
Parking Availability
Limited parking at the south end; an additional lot about 0.4 miles west at Gilley Field; parking can fill up
GPS Coordinates
44.354726° N, 68.362856° W

When to go

Best Time To Visit
Spring through fall; morning light offers calm reflections; summer is the busiest with limited parking.
Best Visit Times
Early spring or fall; mornings ideal for wildlife and reflections
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Alpenglow potential; calm mornings
Best Season
Spring through fall
Busiest Season
Summer (June–August)
Seasonal Access
Spring through fall

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Glacial Lake
Main Features
Glacial lake; 4 miles in length; 897 acres; max depth 113 ft; Duck Rock outcrop with northward views
What Youll See
Shoreline with pines, clear water, Duck Rock to the north, beaver activity, wetlands, and rooty trail sections along the shore
Unique Characteristics
One of Acadia’s largest lakes; 897 acres; sustained by glacial processes that formed its elongated basin
Photo Opportunities
Golden-hour reflections on the water; Duck Rock framing; wide-angle pond panoramas
Photography Spots
Duck Rock northward viewpoint; shoreline perspectives along the Long Pond Trail
Best Viewpoints
Duck Rock vantage along the Long Pond Trail; shorelines along the pond’s western edge
Common Wildlife
Beavers; mink; river otters; white-tailed deer
Best Wildlife Times
Early morning or dusk
Geological Formation Type
Glacial lake formed by glacial carving
Scientific Interest
Glacial geomorphology; lake depth; beaver-wetland dynamics

Facilities, fees & access

Permits Required
No
Restrooms Available
Yes
Restroom Type
Vault toilets
Picnic Areas
No
Water Available
No
Cell Service
Spotty; not guaranteed
Interpretive Signs
No
Accessibility
Moderately strenuous; not wheelchair-friendly
Accessibility Level
Moderately strenuous in parts; not wheelchair-friendly
Nearby Services
Vault toilets at boat ramp; parking; no potable water
Nearby Facilities
Vault toilets at boat ramp; limited parking
Family Friendly Notes
Rooty trail sections; hold hands near water; supervise children around the shoreline

Safety

Safety Considerations
Gravity hazards on connecting trails; slippery needle-covered surfaces; cold water risk in swims; wear sturdy boots; PFDs required for boating; keep distance from wildlife; cell service unreliable

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Duck Rock; Mount Desert Island views; Great Notch Trail; surrounding Acadia landscapes
Connecting Trails
Long Pond Trail connects to Great Notch Trail; loop options via Duck Rock paths
Trailheads Here
Long Pond Trail; Great Notch Trail

Planning advice

Insider Tips
  • Arrive early in peak season; parking fills quickly
  • Duck Rock vantage north offers strong framing
  • Bring a light jacket for cool mornings
Tips Advice
  • Observe the Duck Rock vantage to the north for glacial-scale framing
  • Wear boots; sections of Long Pond Trail are rooty and rocky
  • Boating requires life jackets; children 10 and under must wear them
  • Parking fills on crowded days; arrive early or expect to park farther up the road

More details

Park Area
Acadia National Park
Elevation Feet
58
Visitor Center Present
No
Guided Tours Available
No
Lake Size
897 acres
Fishing Nearby
No
Swimming Allowed
No
Boating Allowed
Yes
Climbing Areas
No
Review Summary
Visitors note Long Pond’s broad shoreline and glacial geology; wildlife is often seen at dawn and dusk; parking can be tight in summer; the loop trail reveals varied glacial landforms and forest succession.

Location

Long Pond at Acadia National Park showcases blue lake waters and forested shoreline with morning mist rising over the far shore.Long Pond shoreline at Acadia National Park features rocky abutments along a calm lake with forested hills.A kayak glides toward a glowing sunset over Long Pond, framed by a calm lake in Acadia National Park at dusk.Long Pond at Acadia National Park reflects the surrounding hills with glassy water and a rocky shoreline.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Parking can fill quickly in peak season; plan to arrive early or use the Gilley Field lot and be prepared to park farther up Long Pond Road.

Is the 4.6-mile Long Pond Loop worth the effort?

Yes. The loop traverses the shoreline and exposes a sequence of glacial features, with beaver activity and varied forest along the route.

Can I boat on Long Pond, and what are the rules?

Boating is allowed; life jackets are mandatory, and children 10 and under must wear life jackets at all times on the water.

Is there reliable cell service near Long Pond?

Cell service is spotty and not guaranteed; plan accordingly and carry maps offline.

Is swimming permitted and safe in Long Pond?

Swimming is not specified as prohibited here; water can be 55–70°F in summer, so treat any immersion as potentially cold and return to shore promptly if conditions change.

Echo Lake

Dark waters in a granite basin. Swim the lifeguarded beach, paddle, or hike Beech Mountain from one lot.

Little Hunters Beach

Fist-sized cobblestones frame a secluded Atlantic beach. Glacier-rounded stones, slippery rocks, cold water.

Shatter Zone

Chocolate chip cookie rocks reveal an ancient volcano's caldera edge in granite.

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.