If Jordan Pond is on your Acadia National Park itinerary—you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we share everything you need to know about visiting Jordan Pond, including the best nearby hikes, biking trails, things to know before your visit, restaurant information, and more!

History of Jordan Pond + Jordan Pond House

Jordan Pond is named after John and George Jordan—brothers from DownEast Maine that established a logging camp and two mills on the “pond”. They produced masts, planks, posts, hinges, and stakes, which they would transport to Seal Harbor by carts, sleds, and wagons to sell to coastal residents. They built the original Jordan Pond farmhouse in 1847.

Around 1895, Thomas and Nellie McIntire purchased the Jordan Pond farmhouse and began the tradition of serving tea and popovers. They continued to operate the restaurant for 50 back-to-back seasons, until retiring in 1945.

John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased the house in 1928 and donated it to the National Park Service in 1940. In 1979, a fire destroyed the original building. With funds from the Island Foundation, the building was re-constructed and re-opened again in 1982. Today, Jordan Pond House continues to honor the dining traditions started more than a century ago.

Things to Know Before Visiting Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond is located inside of Acadia National Park, which requires a park entrance pass year-round. Visitors must print and display their pass clearly on their windshield.
Approach Jordan Pond with patience—it is an extremely busy place, especially during the months of June, July, August, September, and October. Parking lots fill up early and you most likely will have to wait to be seated at the Jordan Pond Restaurant.
Public restrooms are available at Jordan Pond House.
Swimming is not permitted in Jordan Pond. Leave your swimsuits behind!

Things to do near Jordan Pond

Hiking Trails

There are several hiking trails near Jordan Pond. I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.

Jordan Pond Path (3.3 miles, easy)

The Jordan Pond Path in Acadia National Park is one of Maine’s most iconic and picturesque hikes. This easy, 3.3-mile path hugs the shores of Jordan Pond—offering breathtaking views of North and South Bubble and Penobscot Mountain. With multiple trail options, hikers can hand-pick their hiking route to match their skill level to ensure an enjoyable hike. Click here to learn more about this hike.

The Bubbles (several trail options, easy to moderate)

With several trail options and rewarding views of Jordan Pond, surrounding mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean, the North and South Bubble trails are some of the busiest trails in Acadia National Park. Click here to learn more about this hike.

Pemetic Mountain (4 miles roundtrip, moderate)

This hike has a rugged ascent that rewards hikers with stunning views of The Bubbles, Sargent Mountain, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, and various other surrounding mountains. Click here to learn more about this hike.

Explore the Carriage Roads

Acadia National Park has over forty-five miles of carriage roads that provide great views of the park’s mountains, lakes, waterfalls, valleys, historic buildings, and bridges. These roads can be explored on foot or via bike. Jordan Pond is a great place to stop and refuel for the remainder of your bike ride. Bar Harbor Bike Shop offers rentals for road bikes, gravel bikes, e-bikes, kids bikes, as well as tag-a-long bikes and Thule trailers.

Best Restaurants Near Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond House Restaurant

The Jordan Pond House is a casual restaurant located at the South end of Jordan Pond. It offers both indoor and outdoor lawn seating, both of which provide scenic views of Jordan Pond and surrounding mountains. While reservations are not necessary, they are recommended during peak seasons (June-October) and peak times of day (11:00a.m.-2:00p.m.). Jordan Pond House is well-known for their popovers. I prefer their lobster stew, sandwiches (especially the bbq pork sandwich), and hot tea. Click here to view their full menu.

Jordan Pond House Popover + Prosecco Bar

If the wait is too long at Jordan Pond House, visitors can try their luck at the first come, first served Jordan Pond House popovers and prosecco bar, which serves famous Jordan Pond House popovers with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar is located outside the restaurant, on the right side of the lawn. Click here to view their official menu.

Carriage Road Carry Out

For a quick bite, check out the grab and go pastries, sandwiches, salads, beverages, and soft-serve ice cream at Carriage Road Carry Out, located on the second level of the Jordan Pond House. The best part? First come, first served tables are available on the second level, so you can still enjoy your food with a fantastic view of Jordan Pond. Click here to view their menu.

Tips for Visiting Jordan Pond House

There is so much to do at Jordan Pond—biking, hiking, eating! Leave yourself either half a day or a full day to explore the area fully.
Want an stress-free experience? Visit Jordan Pond via bicycle or the free Island Explorer shuttle.
If you’re going on a hike, make sure you’ve packed all the Maine hiking essentials.
The best time of year to visit is October, when the crowds lessen and the foliage is fantastic.

Leave no trace at Jordan Pond

When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild Maine we love.

Check out our Acadia hiking guides, itineraries, and campground reviews!

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With love,

My Maine

The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park: Popovers, Tea, and Trails