Showing posts with label National Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Park. Show all posts

Great Smoky Mountain - Lodging



Where should you stay when visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? Below I have accommodation options:


  • Vacation Rental Homes - If you seek to have a vacation in a setting that feels like home, you have many options in the Great Smoky Mountain area.  Check out websites such as Airbnb, Homeaway, Vacation Rentals By Owner, & Flipkey among others. Vacation homes are great for the large family on a budget because you can get a home that will come with a full kitchen (save money by cooking meals in the crock pot during the day) as well as plenty of room for everyone.  

  • Hotel/Motel Options - When my family traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains, we opted to stay in a motel.  My family consists of myself, my husband, and our 9 year old son. A single hotel/motel room with 2 queen beds meet our needs nicely as we spend most of our days outside the room and use it only for showering and sleeping. There are hundreds of hotels/motels from which to choose in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  My family was on a budget so we needed a CLEAN & well priced hotel/motel for our 4 night stay. We chose Jack Huff's Motor Lodge in Gatlinburg, TN. What can I say about Jack Huff's? 
    • Let me begin by stating I have stayed at mid-range chain hotels across the nation and have never had an experience like Jack Huff's Motor Lodge. Most of the mid-range hotels have paper thin walls and staff who could care less about you and your accommodations. Jack Huff's is a family owned business that takes pride in their property and customer service. The hotel itself is not new. Believe it or not that is actually to the guest's advantage. You see when this building was built the walls were made so that you could not hear every movement of your neighbor. This makes for a pleasant sleeping experience. Jack Huff's is not full of frills. 
    • You will not find down comforters and pillows on the beds. The furniture I am certain must be at least 20 years old. However you could not tell that by looking at it because it is exceptionally clean. Cleanliness is my TOP priority when staying at a hotel. Jack Huff's does not disappoint. I did not even find a speck of dust in the room. 
    • I really liked that the room had a microwave and fridge. This saves us lots as we were able to eat breakfast in our room. 
    • I also enjoyed the balcony. It was nice to sit out on in the evenings and watch the people go by. 
    • Finally I liked that the hotel was off the main Parkway. We tried to avoid the Parkway at all costs as it did not appeal to us. We came here to hike in Great Smoky Mtn National Forest and found the Parkway to be WAAAAAY too commercialized to the point of ridiculousness.
    • The staff at Jack Huff's were very accommodating as well. They were friendly and made me feel like I mattered. 
    • The rates for our summertime visit was an affordable $75/night for a spacious room with a balcony.  Great option for a family on a budget!
    • Jack Huff's
      204 Cherokee Orchard Road
      Post Office Box 865
      Gatlinburg, TN 37738
    • If I am ever back in this area I will certainly stay here again. Thanks Jack Huff Motor Lodge for providing me such an accommodating place to stay!


Great Smoky Mountain - Hiking Trails

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park offers a wide range of trails to hike.  Hikers of all skill levels can find suitable trails. My family would not be considered skilled hikers.  Therefore we hiked Easy & Moderate skill level trails.  In this posting you will find a list of each trail we hiked. 
Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail

EASY HIKES:

  • Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail (Distance .5 mile round trip) - This easy trail is located behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg.  The trail is paved, level, and wheelchair/stroller accessible. You follow a creek that meanders through a beautiful setting of trees, plants, and nature at it's best. At the end of the trail is a waterfall making the trip worthwhile.  Who should consider this trail? Anyone.
Clingmans Dome
  • Clingmans Dome (Distance 1 mile round trip) - I must admit I was torn about ranking this trail as easy. I think it might be best classified as easy/moderate. At an elevation of 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The winding path up to the observation tower is paved but it is VERY STEEP.  You will also have to deal with the increase in elevation making it difficult to breathe as you hike this trail. There are benches every 1/10 of a mile for those who need to rest. Take your time and you will be fine.  The view from the observation tower is worth every step!  Who should consider this trail? Those who are healthy to walk a steep grade short distance in a high elevation. 

  • Gristmill at Cades Cove
  • Cades Cove (Walking Distance: 1/2 mile round trip Driving tour 11 miles round trip) - The Cades Cove driving loop is great for family members who cannot hike but would still like to enjoy the beauty of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Half way around the driving tour is the restored buildings including a working gristmill. During the time of our visit there was volunteers explaining how the gristmill worked as well as other historically significant information about the area. Make sure and stop by the Cades Cove visitor center and purchase an inexpensive guide book so you can have the historical facts associated with the area. Cades Cove is great for a driving tour, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and touring historic buildings.Who should consider this trail?  Anyone - it is very easy to walk around the historic buildings.


Grotto Falls
  • Grotto Falls (Distance 2.6 miles round trip) - Grotto Falls hike is through an old growth forest that leads to a beautiful 25 foot waterfall that you can walk under! While the trail is fairly easy, there are many tree roots you can trip on.  Also be aware of the slippery rocks once you get to the waterfall area. There is not much elevation increase with only a total of 585 feet gain in elevation. Who should consider this trail? Anyone, just be careful of the tree roots and slippery rocks. 

    Laurel Falls
  • Laurel Falls (Distance 2.3 miles round trip) - The Laurel Falls hike is an easily accessible trail with the most rewarding waterfall of all at the end of the trail. The trail is paved making it easier for those with mobility problems to get to the falls. Because of the easy access and the paved trail many people visit causing some potential congestion. While the trail is paved, there are some steep drops when you near the falls, make sure to keep small children close by. The best times to visit Laurel Falls is in the morning or late evening for the best photo opportunities.  The waterfall has lower upper level falls making it all the more grand. Who should consider this trail? Anyone who is moderately fit.



MODERATE HIKES:
  • Appalachian Trail (Distance 2,185 miles ONE WAY!) - The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine.  A portion of the trail runs through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Clingmans Dome. We hiked a short distance on the trail and then doubled back to our car parked in the Clingmans Dome parking lot. However, we did get lost because we did not have good maps. BEFORE you head out on trails, make sure you get detailed maps of the area you are hiking.  I recommend purchasing the paper maps sold at the visitor's center. Who should consider this trail? A moderately fit person with a good map.



Abrams Falls
  • Abrams Falls (Distance 5 miles round trip) - Abrams Falls is located in the Cades Cove area.  This trail follows Abrams Creek making for spectacular photo opportunities.  There are many tree roots combined with steep elevation making this trail a true moderate hike. Once you arrive at Abrams Falls you will be impressed with how a 26 foot waterfall can be so powerful!  Please make sure you adhere to the warning signs and stay out of the water. Backpacker Magazine ranked this trail one of the most dangerous trails in America due to the number of deaths caused by people getting in the water. Who should consider this trail? A moderately fit person with good walking shoes. (I can't tell you how many people I saw in flip flops on this trail complaining about their feet hurting.)


    Alum Cave Trail
    Lower Trail Alum Cave Trail
  • Alum Cave Trail (Distance 11 miles round trip if you go all the way to Mt. LeConte elevation 6,593 feet) - My favorite trail we hiked was the Alum Cave Trail.  We started the trail early, around 7:30 A.M. We originally planned to hike up to Alum Cave Bluffs and turn around which was only 4.6 miles round trip.  However once we got to the bluffs we met others who were headed up to Mt. LeConte and they convinced us it was worthwhile to keep going. Am I ever glad we did!   The lower half of this trail has foot bridges, streams, and some of the most beautiful scenery found! The first 2.3 miles was a typical moderate trail that was enhanced by Arch Rock & Alum Cave Bluffs. From Alum Cave Bluffs the terrain becomes more difficult putting the upper portion of the trail in the high moderate to difficult range. The trails are narrow in places with only a cable to hold on to as you hike.  In some places the trail is only 15" wide with a hundreds of feet deep ravine beneath you. As you traverse these butt clinching passages you feel accomplished!  Once you reach the summit of Mt. LeConte you are greeted by a host of cabins with no modern facilities.  Guests book the accommodations 1 year in advance so do not plan on spending the night in this little piece of yesteryear without prior reservations. There is a restaurant atop the mountain, however the food offerings are limited to bagels, cream cheese, Slim Jims, & bottled water for those who do not make reservations. Take time to sit on the porch of the restaurant in one of the rocking chairs and take in the beautiful scenery. THIS is what life is all about! Note: Make sure you take a jacket because as you ascend to the top of the mountain, the temperature will be at least 25 degrees cooler than in the valley. Who should consider this trail? Lower trail, anyone who is moderately fit. Upper trail, physically fit persons who will take their time on the narrow passages. (We passed a group of teenagers that were running across the 15" narrow passages - I hope they all made it down alive.) 
QUIET WALKWAYS:

Church built in the 19th century
at Cades Cove
Throughout the Great Smoky Mountain National Park you will find many quiet walkways. These walkways are usually not crowded and often have beautiful scenery. Cades Cove has some short walks from the driving loop that take you to houses and churches built during the 19th century. You will find signs while driving the park roads that say Quiet Walkway. Who should consider quiet walkways? Anyone - they are easy paths into nature.


Great Smoky Mountain National Park On A Budget - Things To Do

Alum Cave Trail
"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it."  
President Lyndon B. Johnson

One of the best vacations a family can take is to a national park.  National parks are a great way for families to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. For the budget conscious family, national parks provide unlimited entertainment at a price that is easily affordable. If you do not have a national park near your home, then visit state parks. It will be an adventure!

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina.  It spans over 521,000 acres and has over 2,900 miles of streams. Within the national park you have hiking, biking, fishing, camping, ranger-led programs, zip lining, white water rafting, and many other activities to keep your days filled with good times! My family visited Great Smoky Mountain National Park during the summer. However, the park is open year round.Did I mention the fee for visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park is FREE?  That's right! You can visit this beautiful park with no cost to you!  The only fee you might incur would be for camping or pavilion rentals. So now that I have sold you on price, the next question is what can you do at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park?
  • Visitor Center - Before heading out on your adventure, make plans to visit one of the 7 visitor centers located in and around the park.  In addition to history and facts about the park you will also have access to brief videos that tell you more about the park.  Also, the park rangers will be able to notify you of trail closings. You can find three visitors centers outside Great Smoky National Park in the towns Gatlinburg, TN, Sevierville, TN, and Townsend, TN. There are four visitor centers within the national park - Cade's Cove OconalufteeSugarlands and Clingmans Dome.
    Alum Cave Trail

  • Hiking - There are "officially" 150 trails to hike in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Since we are not avid hikers, and our son was only 8 years old, we hiked mostly moderate and easy trails. See my blog on hiking trails for more information. My best advice is to get a good map before heading out on a hike.  After being lost on the Appalachian Trail, I can honestly say you need a detailed map of trails. I recommend purchasing the paper maps at the visitor's centers because your cell phone is likely to run out or battery and/or signal and then you don't have a map. The national park service has a map with all the trails marked on it available online by clicking here. There are wonderful online resources for hiking trails and the level of difficulty at sites such as Hiking the Smokys or Backpackers. I also like EveryTrail because it has an app you can download for Android or iPhone for you to make customized maps.  When hiking wear proper footwear. I saw countless numbers of people hiking in flip flops! Even the moderate trails are not easy enough to wear flip flops while hiking. When hiking take plenty of water and non-perishable snacks. The temperature changes at Great Smoky Mountains based on elevation.  You will need to stay hydrated throughout your hike - take water. Bear pepper spray is permitted for hikers in Great Smoky National Park. There are over 1,500 black bears in this park and they are not the cuddly bears they appear to be!  As a safety precaution, carry bear pepper spray. Hikers in the Great Smoky National Park move about 1.5 miles per hour.  Make sure you give yourself enough time to make the hike before dark. See the National Park Service hiking safety facts when planning your trip. 
  • Biking - The roadways throughout the park are NOT suitable for safe bicycling due to steep terrain and high automobile traffic. However, Cade's Cove has an 11 mile loop that is great for bicycling.  You can rent bikes near the Cade's Cove campground.
    Stream Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Fishing - Fishing is permitted year round in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  This fun activity can be enjoyed by any age.  Fishing is great for the family on a budget! The Great Smoky Mountain National Park also offers the rare southern opportunity of trout fishing. Fly fishing is the preferred method of fishing in this national park. There is a children's only section of the Little Pigeon River near Herbert Holt Park in Gatlinburg.  Licensing and other important information can be found on the National Park Service web page

  • Driving Tour - If you are not able to hike or bike the Great Smoky Mountains, you can always take a driving tour.  There are over 350 miles of scenic drives in this national park.  The average speed limit is 30 miles per hour.  Due to popularity of driving tours, expect A LOT of traffic, especially during high tourism season. Some of the most popular driving tours include: Cade's Cove, Clingman's Dome, Little River Road, Newfound Gap, and Roaring Fork. 
  • Camping -  Camping options include group camping, back country, and front country at a variety of locations throughout the park. You can find more information about camping at the National Park Service website. When I visited the area I chose to stay in a hotel. See my blog on lodging near Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
  • Zip Lining with CLIMB Works - Yes, I know there are other options for zip lining in the Great Smoky Mountain area, however I do not believe the other options could be as good as CLIMB Works. Zip lining with CLIMB Works was one of the best things we have ever done on vacation, 2.5 hours of shear exhilaration! Our guides were spectacular! By the end of the zip we felt a certain comradery with our guides as well as fellow zippers. Everyone should zip at least once in their lives and CLIMB Works Tours was a top notch choice. While the cost is not cheap, it is worth every  penny. 
    Zipping with CLIMB works
  • Whitewater Rafting - Does your family seek an adventure on water? If so, whitewater rafting is for you! In the Great Smoky Mountain area you have several choices for whitewater rafting.  For around $45 per person you will have an exhilarating experience your family won't soon forget!
  • Visit Nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - If you tire of the great outdoors and seek some theme park style adventure then Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge are for you!  Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee have plenty to do for the family once you leave the national park. Activities include Riplee's Aquarium, The Village Shops, Hypnotized by Guy Michaels comedy show, MANY putt putt golf, arcades, & go-kart places, MANY old west family photography studios, Dixie Stampede dinner show, Dollywood Theme & Water Park, wax museums, dinner theaters, and any other kind of touristy destination you can imagine.  I personally found all the tourist trap offerings to take away from the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and tried to avoid the trap as much as possible. For the budget conscious family you will need to pick wisely which pricey touristy options your family will partake of as most are quite expensive.
  • To plan your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains click here & download the National Park Service app.

New England On A Budget - Things To Do In Maine

On our 11 day trip to New England we saw many sites both historical and 21st century.  We visited one of the most populated areas in the United States and some of the least populated areas. We visited Maine for 5 days during our trip. Listed below are some of the sites we saw on our trip.



We rented a car in Boston and drove up the coast of Maine on Highway 1. We really expected to have more ocean views as we drove but there were trees that obstructed our view. The towns we drove through were quaint. The speed limit was 45 MPH on most of Highway 1 so be prepared to take it slow. One of our favorite towns was Kennebunkport..

Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, ME - A short 1 1/2 hour drive from Boston will lead you to this quaint seaside village. We had limited time to spend, but found it to be very beautiful.  We stopped in at the library and purchased a book about coastal Maine from the Friends of the Library.  It was a real bargain and we had a great story associated with the book. You should find Saint Ann's Church for a beautiful, serene Maine setting. You can also view the Walker Compound where President George H.W. Bush vacations. After our brief time in Kennebunkport we headed north to Portland.



  • Portland is a beautiful city on the coast of Maine.  We visited the Portland Head Lighthouse.  Of all the light houses we saw while in Maine, this was by far the most beautiful.  The white tower glistens next to the blue ocean.  I would recommend getting a picnic and take it to the park on the grounds of Portland Head..
  • Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine
  • International Cryptozoology Museum - I must preface this post with a disclaimer.  I do not believe in big foot, yetis, the Loch Ness monster, or aliens.  However, my 10 year old son has spent the better part of 2 years in search of a big foot. He has watched every documentary and searched every wooded area we visited for the mythical creature.  When we discovered Portland, Maine is home to the world's ONLY cryptozoology museum we had to visit it. The museum is located in downtown Portland in what could be considered the "shady" side of town.  There were lots of homeless people and graffiti everywhere. I do not believe we would have stopped if it were not the middle of the day. The museum is located in a back alley for lack of a better description. You have to park on the street and pay a meter. Once we entered the museum there was lots to see.  My son had a blast taking photos of actual "big foot poo" and life sized replicas of the creature.  For the big foot enthusiast this is must see museum.  Would I go if my son did not have the interest in big foot? Probably not.  Cost: $7 adults $5 Children up to 12 years of age 
After spending a few hours in Portland we headed north. I read many reviews searching for the best lobster roll in all of Maine, I selected Libby's Market in Brunswick, Maine.  Libby's Market is located 30 minutes north of Portland.  You can find my review for Libby's on my blog titled New England on a Budget - Eating Out.  Libby's has some of the nicest people who own it and a very tasty lobster roll too. 

Freeport, ME LL Bean Flagship Store - As an avid fan of LL Bean products our trip to Maine would have been disappointing if we did not visit this iconic store. The store is massive in size.  While the prices are the same as online and the catalog, I liked being able to see the item and try it on.  This luxury is not available in Texas. The area around LL Bean is comprised of "outlet" stores.  Freeport, Maine seems to cater to those who want to shop.  We were not interested in shopping so after visiting the LL Bean store we headed out to our next destination where we would spend the night, Rockport, Maine.

Rockport, Maine - This seaside village is located between Rockland and Camden. We stayed in Rockport at the Ledges by the Bay. See my review at my blog New England on a Budget - Lodging.  . We only stayed one night in Rockport and wish we had spent at least 3 days. At the time of our visit the Owl's Head Lighthouse in Rockland allowed visitors to go inside the lighthouse and tour it on Wednesday afternoons. We tried to make it in time for the tour, but the tours closed before we could get there.  I am most disappointed I did not get to go up inside the lighthouse.. maybe on my next trip to Maine. In addition to Owl's Head Lighthouse Rockland also has the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.  This lighthouse is located at the end of a 1/2 mile granite breakwater. The reviews I read said the granite was slippery and unstable - we did not visit the lighthouse due to my husband's injured foot. Rockland also has ferry service that runs out to Matinicus, North Haven, & Vinalhaven. See my blog titled New England on a Budget - Getting Around Maine for information about the ferry service. We spent the night in Rockport because lodging was less expensive than Camden or Rockport.  The next day we headed to Vinalhaven via ferry service. 

Vinalhaven, Maine
Vinalhaven, Maine -  Do you seek to truly "get away from it all"? If so, Vinalhaven is for you! It is one of the many islands off the coast of Maine and is a true lobster village.  You will need to ride the ferry from Rockland for 1 1/2 hour to get to this small lobster village. From the ferry terminal you can easily walk to the town for a nice lunch.  After lunch you can spend time perusing the shops.  If shopping is not what you seek head down to the harbor and watch for sea life and lobster fishermen. Take in the sea air and appreciate the beauty you are surrounded by.  But don't get too lost in the moment because you will need to catch the ferry out or risk not having anywhere to sleep that night. Accommodations are limited in Vinalhaven and reservations need to be made in advance. We spent a memorable 4 hours in this quaint village.  If you have the time, get away from the tourist spots and head out to one of Maine's many islands.


Ellsworth, Maine - After a disastrous one night stay in Bar Harbor we switched hotels to one 20 minutes away in Ellsworth.  Ellsworth has several hotels/motels from which to choose.  See my blog New England on a Budget - Lodging for my stellar reviews of my hotel. Ellsworth also has many restaurants to choose from including chain restaurants as well as locally owned establishments.  Ellsworth has a movie theater and several stores, including Walmart.  We utilized Walmart daily to get our lunch for Acadia National Park each day.  Budget tip: Go to Walmart and purchase a lunch bag and Lunchables or summer sausage packs to carry a picnic lunch to Acadia.  Just throw some cold bottles of water in the lunch kit to keep your food cold during the day. This will save you time and money.

Bar Harbor, Maine - Bar Harbor is a tourist town. There are many shops and restaurants that line the streets of this picturesque seaside town. This small town is often overrun with tourists coming by land and sea - cruise ships dock in Bar Harbor several days a week bringing an influx of visitors.  Visit the Bar Harbor Maine website to see the scheduled dates for cruise ships to dock. This should help you plan accordingly.  Bar Harbor frequently has entertainment in the downtown area.  Check the town website for a calendar of events.  Our primary purpose in visiting Bar Harbor was to visit Acadia National Park.


Acadia National Park - In a word - beautiful. Acadia is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.The land was originally owned by the Rockefeller's but was given to the U.S. to preserve as a national park. The park is spread out over Mount Dessert Island.  The most popular portion of the park is nearest to Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain on the eastern side of the island. If you want to get away from the crowds, visit the west side of the island. During June it rains frequently, make sure to take a parka.  We visited the second week in June to avoid the crowds.  From what I have been told, the crowds start to get bad from the third week in June through the second week in August (more than 2 million visitors visit Acadia each year, most of them during the summer).  Cost: $20 per vehicle for 7 days OR $5 per person for bicycle for 7 days OR $5 for motorcycles for 7 days, Military personnel are admitted for FREE with valid documentation, Senior Citizens can get a lifetime pass for $10, & permanently disabled persons get a lifetime pass for FREE.

Things to do in Acadia include:

  • Visitor Center - at the visitor center you can get your pass for the week.  There is also a video about the history of the park that will make your visit more informative. This is also a great place to get information about trail closures etc. 
  • Island Explorer Shuttle Bus - Starting the third week in June running through Columbus Day you can ride the Island Explorer shuttle around Acadia.  The shuttle runs from several hotels and inns in Bar Harbor into Acadia.  There are 8 routes from which to choose. Cost: Free!
  • Family fun in Acadia National Park - As with most national parks, Acadia has many activities to keep the whole family having fun while visiting. Click the link to find out more. In April you can register your family for the Friends of Acadia Quest that is a scavenger hunt.  To participate in the scavenger hunt you create a team that is comprised of at least 1 person under the age of 18 and 1 person over the age of 18.  The team works together to complete activities to win prizes. The best part about the Friends of Acadia Quest is that it is FREE. They even mail you a map and a quest card prior to your arrival. This is a fun activity - make sure to sign up and play!


    View from Great Head hiking trail
  • Hiking/Biking - John D. Rockefeller Jr. created 57 miles of carriage roads that are utilized today for hiking and biking. If you decide to bike the carriage roads make sure to ask which are most suitable for biking safely.  The rocks can be very slippery when you are headed downhill. We did not bike but did see others doing so. You can also bike on the park roads. In addition to the carriage roads, there are over 120 miles of hiking trails in Acadia. To find out more about some of the trails at Acadia visit Everytrail Website for reviews by people who have hiked the trails.  I will say from our hikes that Mount Dessert is covered in granite rock making the hikes on rocky terrain VERY slippery.  (I almost slid off a cliff when we were hiking - be careful.)



  • Ranger-led programs - Depending on the time of year you visit, there are ranger led programs.  When we visited we took two ranger led hikes - Rockefeller's Bridges and Cadillac Mountain.  Both park rangers were very informative and we thoroughly enjoyed our hike. There is no additional fee for ranger led programs. 
  •  Cadillac Mountain - is the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard. Another claim to fame of Cadillac Mountain is that it is the eastern most part of the United States.  If you get up early you can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain and be the first in the U.S. to see the sun that day. The drive up Cadillac Mountain has several beautiful scenic overlooks - take it slow and enjoy the views. 
  • Sand Beach
  • Sand Beach - You don't find too many sandy beaches in New England.  You really don't want to miss this one. It is gorgeous!  We were lucky and got there before anyone the day we visited and had the whole beach to ourselves. The water temperature was around 50 degrees and there were kids swimming in it! It literally took my breath away when I got into the water up to mid calf. I highly recommend hiking the sand beach trail that gives great scenic overlooks of the beach below. 



    Jordan Pond Loop Trail
  • Jordan Pond - There is a restaurant located at Jordan Pond that is famous for popovers. We did not partake of the popovers, but many websites highly recommend them.  We did hike around Jordan Pond and it was quite the adventure. The hike started out as any other would.  Then we came to the wooden planks. This trail has about 1/4 -1/2 mile of the trail that requires you to walk on wooden planks that are about 14" wide.  You will find the planks at the soggy portion of the trail. We had never seen plank hiking trails before, making it an adventure! Jordan Pond is crystal clear making the hike all the more beautiful.











  


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