A Short Walk Away
Acadia’s carriage roads, Jordan Pond House, two mountains, the Land & Garden Preserve and Seal Harbor village are all a walk or a bike ride from the house.
The View From Day Mountain, a Ride From the House
Leave the Car in the Driveway
Some of Acadia’s best days start at the front door.
- Carriage Roads0.2 miles, open to bikes
- Seal Harbor BeachA 15-minute walk
- Jordan Pond HouseVia the Seaside Path
- Jordan PondAbout 3 miles around
- Day MountainCarriage road to the summit
- Pemetic MountainVia the Triad Trail
The Seaside Path to Jordan Pond House
A gentle, wooded path of about two miles links Seal Harbor with Jordan Pond House, passing beneath the triple-arched Stanley Brook Bridge. Walk up for tea and popovers on the lawn, then come home by carriage road.
Around Jordan Pond
A mostly level loop of about 3 miles with the Bubbles rising over the far shore. Add the short climb up South Bubble for the view down the pond to the sea.
Day Mountain
The only peak in Acadia with a carriage road to the summit, so you can walk or ride your bike to the top. The view takes in the Atlantic and the Cranberry Isles.
Pemetic Mountain
Two good ways up, both from the house. Our favorite follows the carriage roads to the Triad Trail, then takes the Pemetic East Cliff Trail, a steeper, more direct climb up through breaks in the granite. For a gentler, family-friendly hike, follow the carriage roads to the foot of the Pemetic South Ridge Trail, then climb gradually out of the woods onto the mountain’s open granite spine. Either way it’s roughly 1,000 feet of climbing from Jordan Pond, with views of Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake and Bubble Pond from the top. Route details and a topo map are in Joe Braun’s Pemetic Mountain guide.
The Land & Garden Preserve
1,400 acres of woods, meadows, gardens and carriage roads between Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Acadia, free and open to everyone.
Much of the Preserve was the Rockefeller family’s Seal Harbor land, and its carriage roads are part of the original system John D. Rockefeller Jr. built. The lands around Little Long Pond are open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. Garden seasons and hours are on the Preserve’s website.
- Little Long PondMeadows, trails and carriage roads
- Preserve Carriage RoadsNearly 10 miles, linked to Acadia’s 45
- Three Historic GardensAsticou, Thuya and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
- Hunters CliffsOcean views down to Hunters Beach
Seal Harbor Village
A sandy beach, bikes to rent and kayak tours, all a short walk down the road.
- Seal Harbor Beach. A sandy village beach on a sheltered harbor, about a 15-minute walk. Beach towels are in the house.
- Bikes and e-bikes. Acadia Outdoor Center, at 18 Main Street, rents bikes and e-bikes by the day, several days or the week, including kids’ bikes, trailers and tag-alongs. Helmets and locks are included, they’ll help plan your route, and there’s coffee and ice cream for after.
- Ride from the house. The nearest carriage road entrance, 0.2 miles away, is open to bikes, and Class 1 e-bikes are welcome on the park’s carriage roads. The Preserve’s carriage roads are kept for walking.
- Bike around Day Mountain. Ride the carriage road loop that circles Day Mountain, starting from the house, with ocean views on the way and a spur to the summit if you want the climb.
- Kayak tours. Paddling Beaches runs private guided tours from Seal Harbor: a two-hour family-friendly harbor paddle, a lobster trap tour, half-day trips to Little Cranberry Island and moonlight paddles to see the bioluminescence.
- Lobster from the dock. The kitchen has a lobster pot, and we’ll give you the name of a local lobsterman who meets guests at the Seal Harbor dock.
Plan rides with the park’s carriage road map.
“The house was perfect for our big group! Had everything we needed and more. Loved the location. Walking to Jordan pond, take the seaside path instead of carriage road as it’s way faster. … Would definitely stay again!!!”
Questions
Can we bike from the house?
Yes. The nearest carriage road entrance, 0.2 miles from the house, is open to bikes, so you can ride straight onto Acadia’s carriage roads, including up Day Mountain.
Can we walk to Jordan Pond House from the house?
Yes. The Seaside Path, a gentle wooded path of about two miles, links Seal Harbor with Jordan Pond House and passes under the triple-arched Stanley Brook Bridge. You can also walk the carriage roads.
Where can we rent bikes and e-bikes near the house?
Right in Seal Harbor: Acadia Outdoor Center at 18 Main Street rents bikes and e-bikes by the day, several days or the week, with kids’ bikes, trailers, helmets and locks. There are more rental shops in Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor.
Can we go kayaking from Seal Harbor?
Yes. Paddling Beaches runs private guided kayak tours from Seal Harbor, including a two-hour family-friendly paddle, a lobster trap tour, half-day trips to Little Cranberry Island and moonlight bioluminescence paddles. Outfitters in Bar Harbor rent kayaks and run guided tours too.
What is the Land & Garden Preserve?
A 1,400-acre preserve between Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Acadia, with trails and carriage roads around Little Long Pond, three historic gardens and Hunters Cliffs. The lands around Little Long Pond are free and open every day from dawn to dusk.
Plan Your Stay
See live availability and the full price, including fees and taxes, and book online.
Questions? Call or text Jen at 207-801-8661.
More Ways to Stay
SummerBeach days, harbor paddles, popovers at Jordan Pond House and fireworks over Frenchman Bay.
FallFall color on the carriage roads and long evenings at the fire table.
WinterPlowed driveway, a warm house, and carriage roads for skiing and snowshoeing when there’s snow.
SpringWaterfalls running with snowmelt, spring birds, and the Park Loop Road by bike before it opens to cars.