Jordan Stream Trail | Acadia

Posted in National Parks
Updated September 25, 2024

The Jordan Stream Trail in Acadia National Park is a pleasant shaded walk running a little over a mile to a beautiful cobblestone bridge. This path follows alongside one of the famous carriage roads through thick mossy trees. Acadia is famous for the bridges along the carriage roads, and this is the easiest one to hike, too. Cobblestone Bridge is beautiful. We also had this entire hike to ourselves.

Where to begin

To start the Jordan Stream Path, go out the back of the restaurant and down the steps to the bathroom. Put your backs to the bathroom and march straight forward to the narrow carriage path leading downhill. Follow this path for about 50 yards until it comes to a bridge, but not a cool cobblestone bridge.

I should have taken better pictures. But head down these stairs behind the Jordan Pond House to the Jordan Stream Path

The sign is at the bottom of the stairs.

You can follow the carriage road, or the narrow path by the stream.

The Footpath

At this point, the footpath and the carriage road diverge in the woods. The footpath goes down along the small creek, and the carriage road goes down and to the right. We actually followed the road, while our kids walked the path. We could see them almost the entire way. Basically, the road is flatter and easier, but slightly longer, while the path is uneven and shorter, but much more beautiful. We definitely recommend the stream path over the carriage road for hikers. It stays right in the trees and next to the stream. It is very picturesque.

We walked on the carriage road one way, and the narrow path on the way back.

The carriage road is a nice shady walk. It would be awesome for a bike ride.

There are some ups and downs, but it’s mostly easy.

The path is such a great place to explore.

If you walk on the foot path, it follows the stream the entire way.

Both routes continue to descend, though not quite so steeply. At one point, the path even crosses back over the road. If you are on the carriage road, you will eventually come to a junction. You need to turn right to stay along the path. From there, it is a short distance to the actually bridge, which spans the carriage road. If you are on the Jordan Stream Trail, you will walk up to the bridge. It is 0.5 mile to the bridge, so 1.0 mile roundtrip.

If you are on the carriage road, head right at the junction to get to the bridge.

It is a short walk over to another road where the bridge is.

The footpath leads you right to the bridge.

The Cobblestone Bridge

The bridge is really beautiful, and you can walk both under and over it, and take photos from many angles. We stopped on a narrow log at the end of the path and took our photos from there because you could get the entire bridge in from the side. This bridge is aptly named Cobblestone Bridge. If you are biking in Acadia, you can find lots of old bridges. More info about the carriage roads here.

The path leads right up to this old cobblestone bridge.

You can walk on top of the bridge, and underneath it, too.

You can walk either route back to the restaurant. We preferred the footpath because it didn’t seem as steep a climb, and the brook chuckling along beside you seems right out of a fairy story. Jordan Stream Trail hike was one of our favorites in Acadia National Park. For other family-friendly trails in Acadia, check out our Acadia Kid Hikes post.