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Lake · Bar Harbor, Maine
Jordan Pond
A very clear lake in a valley carved by a glacier, with the rounded hills The Bubbles to the north. A flat trail circles the shore, partly on wooden boardwalks.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Jordan Pond
Jordan Pond occupies a U-shaped valley excavated by a glacier, closed to the south by a moraine, the pile of rocks and gravel left by the ice as it retreated. It covers about 76 hectares and is over 45 meters deep. The water is so clear you can see the rocky bottom near the shore.
On the north side, two rounded granite hills, North Bubble and South Bubble, seem to rise straight out of the water. They are the postcard view of the pond as seen from the lawn at the southern tip. On the slope of South Bubble is Bubble Rock, a boulder left by the glacier perched on the edge of a cliff.
The Jordan Pond Path makes a full loop around the pond, roughly 5 km. The eastern shore is gravel and easy; on the west, the trail goes over rocks and long wooden boardwalks. Carriage roads pass nearby, and trails climb the Bubbles and the Penobscot and Sargent mountains.
The pond supplies water to the village of Seal Harbor, so swimming or entering the water with animals is not allowed. Non-motorized kayaks and canoes are permitted under specific rules. At the southern tip, a traditional tea house has served lunches and snacks since the late 19th century.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About two hours for the full loop around the pond; half an hour to see the view from the southern tip.
Best time
Early morning, when the pond is often still and reflects the Bubbles, and before the parking fills. In early October, the trees on the slopes change color.
How to get there
Via Park Loop Road, about 13 km from Bar Harbor. The Island Explorer stops in front during the season. The parking lot is small and fills early on summer days.
Tip
Do the loop counterclockwise, to leave the rougher section with boardwalks for the middle of the route. Do not enter the water: the pond is a water supply.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Jordan Pond
Can you swim in Jordan Pond?
No. The pond supplies water to the village of Seal Harbor, and entering the water, including with animals, is prohibited.
How long does the trail around Jordan Pond take?
The full loop is about 5 km and takes around two hours, with a stretch of rocks and wooden boardwalks on the west shore.
What are the Jordan Pond Bubbles?
Two rounded granite hills, North Bubble and South Bubble, at the north end of the pond. Short trails lead to both, and on South Bubble is Bubble Rock, a boulder deposited by the glacier.