Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert

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Entire home

Looking across Hodgdon Pond towards Acadia National Park from Cottage 1

Driveway side of cottage with parking area

Front of cottage facing the water and view

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7130.1 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Barbecue grill
Kitchen
Parking available
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Seal Cove, ME

Acadia National Park
‪5 min drive‬
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
‪18 min drive‬
Cadillac Mountain
‪37 min drive‬
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Back bedroom

2 Single Beds

Front bedroom

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Located in Seal Cove on the 'quiet side' of Mount Desert Island, this cottage at Hodgdon Pond Farm offers proximity to all the other attractions of the island and Acadia National Park. The 3 double bedroom/ 2 bath cottage with sleeping loft shares 7.4 acres and 800 plus or minus feet of shore front on Hodgdon Pond with Cottage 2, which is about 2/3rds of a football field away. (Please see 924253VB). The opposite shore of the lake is owned and protected by the National Park. Wildlife is abundant and guests frequently see osprey, Bald eagles, kingfisher and many other birds as well as deer, beaver, muskrat, and sometimes otter and moose.

The cottage has its own dock, canoe, two kayaks, two Stand-up Paddle Boards, and a rowboat. Swimming is best from the rocks on the opposite shore, and from a swim float in the lake. There is a charcoal grill, picnic table and outdoor furniture as well as a hammock overlooking the lake, Satellite TV and Internet. We now keep a section of the lower field mowed, and there is a storage box containing outdoor games for renters to enjoy. Note this is shared with people in Cottage 2, and there are posted house rules for using the games. PLEASE CHECK WITH ME ABOUT OUR CANCELLATION POLICY because it is very different from the one indicated by VRBO.

There are also two small ponds, a sitting area, swing set and sandbox on the property that are shared with people in Cottage 2.

Wherever possible, we use 'Green' cleaning products, provide supplies made from recycled paper, LED bulbs, and implement other ways to reduce our impact on the environment. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has certified Hodgdon Pond Farm is an 'Environmental Leader' as designated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Though there are beds for 7 people, we limit occupancy to 6 people, but occasionally permit a 7th person for an additional charge of $250.

Keywords: Lake Front Cottage

Property manager

Barbara Lawrence

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Mountain view

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 24

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Renters must wash and dry beach towels, and put used sheets in one bag we provide, and towels in the other. Washing other towels greatly appreciated.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Seal Cove

Located in Seal Cove, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Bar Harbor Whale Watching is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History and College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Seal Cove, ME

What's nearby

Acadia National Park - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 18 min drive - 17.5 km
Bar Harbor Whale Watching - 24 min drive - 23.0 km
Otter Cliff - 26 min drive - 24.0 km
Cadillac Mountain - 37 min drive - 27.5 km

Getting around

Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

‪Shell - ‬11 min drive
‪Hansen's Outpost - ‬14 min drive
‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬20 min drive
‪Gott's Store - ‬14 min drive
‪Tan Turtle Tavern - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Seal Cove Pond and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Acadia National Park. Long Pond is 3 mi (4.8 km) away.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

stuart g.

28 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location on quite side of Island

Great location, very peaceful, houses got everything you could possibly need, great access to all locations within 30 minutes, plenty of boats to get onto the water, will definitely be back

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marg D.

16 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Acadia

Perfect place to stay for a relaxing getaway. Saw wildlife and spent time canoeing on a quiet sleepy pond or close enough to go to Bar Harbor or into the glorious Acadia for adventures.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candace B.

18 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet but close to it all!

This was a great place to stay to have the peace and quiet of the island but also be close to all the experiences of Acadia! We loved our week in Maine.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee M.

19 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time in Acadia!

We had a great time at Hodgdon Pond Farm. Great location, great cottage, very peaceful, great to have access to the pond and all the kayaks, canoes, paddle board, and dinghy. Wonderful place!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

4 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfection.

This place is perfect. Complete privacy. Love that the entire time we were there we never saw another person on the water out front.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abby V.

13 October 2018

Wonderful place to stay! The cottage had everything we needed and Acadia National Park was amazing!

We had a lovely week at Hodgdon Pond Farm - we would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a quiet, peaceful setting and visit Acadia National Park. The cottage was perfect - it had everything we needed and provided a quiet retreat. We loved hiking in Acadia and exploring Mount Desert Island. Highly recommend!

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

cynthia c.

30 July 2017

Very good

Very pretty cottage inside and out; clean, spacious,great beds and bedding, beautiful view of pond

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Renee S.

6 August 2017

Paradise in the Most Peaceful Spot on Earth

I have been coming to MDI for 20 years now, and this is, hands down, the finest property I have ever rented. The location could not be more pristine. If you seek true tranquility and an escape from the noise of everyday life, this is the place for you. I never wanted to leave.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Adam F.

13 September 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Oasis on the Quiet Side

We had an amazing week here, with everything we needed for our family of 7. The house was packed with toys, puzzles, books, and activities for the whole family; the kitchen and bathrooms were well-stocked and more than adequate for us. Beds were comfy and just what we needed. The property is beautiful and quiet, and we enjoyed all the boats and the access to the beautiful pond. We were there just after Labor Day and had the whole pond to ourselves and another family or two. Highly recommended if you want to be on MDI without the crowds and chaos!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline L.

16 August 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy cabin by the pond

The house was even lovelier than pictures suggested. Well appointed and immaculate. Took advantage of the canoe, kayak, and SUP, and spent many hours reading by the pond. Bald eagle was a frequent pond visitor. Idyllic getaway for the whole family.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

alan c.

18 September 2016

Wouldn't Stay Anywhere Else

We always look for privacy and quiet when we book vacation rentals, and this one certainly fits the bill. Add charming and beautiful, with unobstructed views of a private lake and the woods of Acadia, and we found the perfect place. An easy and scenery-filled ride to Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor and to all sections of Acadia, we enjoyed every minute of our week long stay. The owner was helpful and quick to respond to any questions we had. Book it now.

10/10 Excellent

Monica S.

13 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing paradise

The HPF cottage was perfect for our stay. The whole place was very clean and we enjoyed the at-home feel of it. It was a short drive to Acadia and the Park Loop Road. We enjoyed Thurstons Lobster Pound for dinner, which was about a 15 minute drive from the cottage. Our 2 year old appreciated the toys Barbara had at the house (he loved the pull along froggy), and we loved that she had a pack & play and booster seat for him there. The weather didn't cooperate for us to swim but we enjoyed the canoe on the property and loved that there were several small watercraft options to choose from. We loved our peaceful time at HPF and would absolutely return!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca R., Cincinnati, Ohio

16 October 2017

Peaceful, relaxing cottage for the perfect getaway

If you're looking for a restful place away from the hustle and bustle, this cottage is perfect. Very clean, well equipped with everything you could need, and situated on a delightfully peaceful pond, yet only a 20 min drive to anywhere on the island. We were able to enjoy sights of the Milky Way on a clear night, an enormous buck relaxing in the field near the cottage, and the amazing warmth of the wood burning stove on the cold nights. Barbara called us to make sure everything was as anticipated, and even offered some advice for a rainy day. Our family really enjoyed this place for our much needed stress-relieving getaway from everyday life, and we look forward to returning in the (hopefully near) future.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Mary Ann B., Howell, MI

20 October 2011

Peace and privacy

If you like peace and quiet and privacy, then this is the place for you. Since you can't see the other cabin from yours, you seem to "own" the pond. Our only regret was the low level of the pond in front of our cottage September 2011, but a drought is something no one can change. The owner sets a very high standard for using "green" products which is commendable.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

2 December 2014

Fabulous water access, comfortable well maintained home

We have stayed at Hodgdon Farm Pond with various family groupings annually for more than 10 years. In June, July, August, September, October, even November, we have had many wonderful vacations. The house is beautifully maintained and equipped. From lounging in the hammock to kayaking around the pond to grilling, there is always something to do. And we don't give up the comforts of home--dishwasher, washer/dryer, enough private space for family members. Barbara is a thoughtful and friendly landlady. The house is extremely well maintained. And the location is amazing. All the splendors of Acadia are easily available--PLUS our own pond for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, birdwatching. Every year the wildlife is different--deer peeking in the sliders in October, muskrat on evening patrol in September, loons in high sumer. Our children grew up here. The loft is a wonderful spot for logos, art projects.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kara C.

7 August 2016

Excellent Private Setting on the Quietside of Mt. Desert Island.

My family of four (including 2 almost 8 year-old boys) loved this home away from home. Very well maintained cottage with everything you need. Great selection of boats on the private dock, and truly a quiet setting with lots of privacy. Often we were the only ones on the pond, with about 10 homes lining one side of the pond. The other side is Acadia park land (no development). You look out to pure nature from the property, and have a great view even from inside the cottage. Our kids delighted in learning how to kayak on easy water, and we loved swimming off the float. We prefer the Quietside of MDI. Less traffic, even during this busy time of year, and you get to feel like a local after a few days of going into Southwest Harbor which is just 20 minutes away. Very short drive to some of the sights and great hikes. We will likely come back again, and have been spoiled by everything this cottage offers. Thank you!!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

8 January 2015

My kids are asking "When can we go back to Hodgdon Pond?"

7-5-14 to 7-12-14 It is difficult to put into words how fabulous this trip to Maine has been. This island has so much to offer and we wanted to do it all. We loved the views of Hodgdon Pond and were were able to kayak, canoe, and swim on several occasions... All four of our children (ranging in age from 9 to 17) found plenty to do at and around the cottage. The younger ones especially enjoyed fishing at the smaller pond and some of our favorite moments were kayaking as a family at sunset. One morning, before the kids got up I enjoyed a run around the pond on the National Park access road. On another occasion, my husband took a bike ride around the same path (around 6 miles). While we loved the National Park, we realize that our experience would not have been as rich without our stay at Hodgdon Pond Farm. It made us feel like we had a portion of the park to ourselves. We will definitely recommend Hodgdon Pond Farm to family and friends and hope to return there again one day! Eric, Mindy, and family, Maryland

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jean S.

24 September 2017

A Lifetime of Memories

The morning sun shines gently on the pond as I wake from the comfort of a peaceful nights sleep. The children slumber while I brew coffee in the fully equipped kitchen. Looking out the kitchen window I watch a small chipmunk gather his own breakfast on the dirt road that leads to this quaint cottage. Carrying my Maine coffee cup I walk down to the pond and sit on the dock to greet the day. A bald eagle joins me on his graceful flight over the water as he searches for his own breakfast. The water is like glass and it mirrors the blue sky and a few white puffy clouds that glide out towards the salty ocean just beyond the trees. I drain the last of my New England coffee from my cup and walk back towards the cottage. I find my husband in the living room reading one of the local area books he found on the shelf. "Morning walk?" I ask. He agrees and we head out the door to the dirt road. We stop by the tiny pond behind the house and question what type of animals visit this fairy like location to get a drink. As we walk a little further down the lane we soon discover it was two large bucks grazing in the field of wildflowers. They are not frightened of us on our stroll and just eye us curiously as we continue on our way. We stop at the small family cemetery and read the incredibly old stones. "What history in this beautiful place" we say. We turn and walk back the 1/8 mile to the cottage listening to the sounds of nature all around us. The smell of sugar is in the air as we open the door and find the four teenagers we have brought with us diving into the donuts I had left on the counter. Plans for the day are discussed over the orange juice and chocolate covered treats. A drive into Bar Harbor is requested to walk on the 'land bridge' at low tide and the girls want to do a little souvenir shopping. The boys plan to skip rocks into the ocean to avoid the stores and my husband agrees to go with all of us as he wants to stop outside of town and grab some fresh lobsters for our dinner- of course our kitchen has a lobster pot! What great Maine cottage would not? Upon our return the teenagers head out onto the pond in kayaks and rowboats to swim off the anchored swim platform. My husband starts a fire in the BBQ to grill some steaks while I prepare to steam the lobster. (We learned this technique from the lobster woman we purchased them from). After dinner the boys head out for some evening fishing while the girls and I work on a puzzle in the cozy living room.

10/10 Excellent

Tyler A.

24 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and quiet

Great location with easy access anywhere on the island. Excellent fishing in the pond, caught lots of perch and pickerel and bass. Appreciated all the kids books and toys. House got warm during the day but it was unusually hot weather. Didn’t like having to sign a separate lease independent from VRBO agreement. Kids loved the playground. Saw lots of wildlife. Great spot for families!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

27 September 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Everything we expected!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Vicki l., davis, CA

31 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

location, location, location!

What an amazing place! If you are looking for a stay in a super-quiet, serene spot, then this is it. The cottage is very nice and extremely thoughtfully/well-equipped. There are 3 bedrooms, 1K and 4 twins (1 single in loft), but the twins can be put together to make a King if needed. Linens are lovely, natural cotton. We cooked every dinner there, including BBQ (charcoal provided, groceries 15min away). The location is fantastic, right on an idyllic large pond, with plenty of (non-motorized) water toys. There are some mosquitoes, as there are everywhere in ME, but very tolerable for the super-bug-attracting me! It was record-breaking hot one day, but there were fans in every room, so we were very comfortable (thank you!!). We used the puzzle table the whole time for puzzles and cards. We were able to get my 85-year old mom out into a canoe quite easily (lifejackets provided). We lay out on the dock one night gazing at the milky way, satellites and even a large shooting star. The sky is incredible if you catch a clear night before moonrise. We had a National Geographic moment with the loons as we sat quietly, and they drifted closer and closer to us, calling and then doing a courtship dance. Awesome place, I can't wait to go back!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pat O.

11 October 2017

On Golden (Hodgdon) Pond

My husband and I stayed a week at HPF and could not have picked a better rental for our first visit to Maine and Mt. Desert Island. Cottage 1 is at the end of the lane--very quiet and private. The cottage is very well equipped with many of the little extras that make a stay comfortable. The master bedroom bed is very comfortable. With the window open at night we heard the loons early in the a.m.! We especially enjoyed the wood stove a few cool evenings. My husband liked fishing the pond from the canoe and I liked the hammock. Owner is prompt and easy to contact. This location is easy drive to Acadia and area sights. When not relaxing at the cottage we: ate at Thurstons and Bealls, had lunch and a walk at Jordon Pond House, went on a nature cruise out of Bass Harbor, took the carriage road bridge tour, hiked with picnic lunch the ocean path trail in Acadia. So our Golden Pond experience definitely lived up to our expectations.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

George L., Northport, NY

2 October 2017

Extraordinary Place

We have vacationed on MDI about 15 times over the last 30+ years. Hodgdon Pond Farm - Cottage 1 is by far the finest lodging we've had on the Island. Gorgeous natural beauty and tranquility are there in magnificent quantity. The cottage is very attractive, well organized and comfortable. You'll be very glad you chose this place.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Y., Monroe Township

12 September 2017

10/10 Excellent

Anne G.

30 August 2017

Amazing house on Mount Desert Island

This is a really special house! The house is well situated at the southern end of Hodgedon Pond, so both the house and dock feel very private. It's about 20 - 25 minutes to Bar Harbour, Northeast Harbour and even closer to Southwest Harbour, so the location is excellent. The house itself is clean and well laid out. There were several boats available for use, so we had a great time kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding on the pond. The pond is small enough that there aren't any motor boats, but large enough to explore and swim. We saw an otter, several beaver, a muskrat, a garter snake, and a number of birds and frogs. The "upper" pond is just a fabulous place to hang out and enjoy the scenery or watch for wildlife. We spent a lot of time in the comfortable chairs available there. I highly recommend this house if you're looking for a quiet, outdoorsy place from which to explore Mount Desert Island.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

About the host

Hosted by Barbara Lawrence

I'm a summer kid who fell in love with Mount Desert Island and lived there year-round for 15 years. After many years and many travels, I still think of it as home. My first novel and sixth book, 'Islands of Time,' is set on Mount Desert Island. Linda Greenlaw, NYT best-selling author said, 'I really like it. It's a love-song to the people and landscape of Maine.' The sequel "The Other Island: Ben's Story" was published in 2017, and I'm proud that Greenlaw and other fine authors have liked it as well.

Why they chose this property

I was attracted to this property, formerly a hunting and fishing camp, because the ad boasted abundant wildlife. When I first saw Hodgdon Pond Farm, I realized proximity to Acadia National Park gave it enduring protection and privacy, and yet it was convenient to everything else on the island.

What makes this property unique

I love reading in the hammock beside the lake, and listening to the sounds of the birds and animals - the trill of tree frogs, keening of loons, and the querulous calls of osprey that always sound as if they are trying to get children off to school. Sometimes I hear a beaver slap the water with its tail, and sometimes ravens loudly scolding an eagle. The bullfrogs, Kingfisher, and warblers add to this ever changing, ever fascinating serenade. I also love sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs near the Little Ponds. The last time I was there I watched a mother duck and four very small duckings paddling to the bridge with the beaver dam. When they got very close a mink lunged out from under the bridge - but missed them all. Another time I was weeding the garden between the ponds when an otter stood up about ten feet from me, clutching a frog in its paws, which it then crunched as it rested in the culvert. These experiences carry me through a long winter!

Languages:

English, French

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Lake Front Cottage Facing Acadia National Park on the "Quiet Side" of Mt. Desert

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Back bedroom

Front bedroom

Master Bedroom

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property