Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia
A rustic Maine camp on pristine Donnell Pond. Great swimming, birdwatching, hiking. Plenty of outdoor space including two decks, a dock, and a private swimming area. Close to Bar Harbor Acadia National Park. Most of Donnell Pond and surrounding mountains are in the 14,000 acre Donnell Pond Public Reserve Land protected area. Bring your boat, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes!
Location
Little Loon Cabin is located on Donnell Pond in Franklin, Maine. Donnell Pond is a little over 1000 acres with miles of shoreline. The pond is great for swimming, fishing, and boating with access from our private dock. Donnell Pond is surrounded be several mountains that are part of Donnell Pond Maine Public Reserve Land. Schoodic, Tunk, and Caribou Mountains are nearby and great hikes! Little Loon Cabin is under an hour to downtown Bar Harbor and the Acadia National Park Visitors Center. We are only a few miles from the ocean, and ~20 miles to Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park. The picturesque coastal Maine villages of Sorrento, Winter Harbor, Birch Harbor, and Corea are all very close by. From Little Loon Cabin you can explore all of Acadia and Downeast Maine, and enjoy the quiet tranquility of a wild Maine lake.
Amenities
Little Loon Cabin is a classic Maine camp, just steps from Donnell Pond. We have an open living area cooking, dining and relaxing, three bedrooms, two full baths, two decks, a private dock on the pond, and a sandy beach for swimming. The entire cabin is on a single level, though there are stairs down from the parking area to the cabin.
Things to do.
Donnell Pond is your front yard. Relax on the dock or go for a swim. Keep an eye out for loons, ducks, osprey, kingfisher, and bald eagles.
Donnell Pond Maine Public Reserve Land surrounds almost the entire shoreline of Donnell Pond, and includes several large mountains. The trailheads to Tunk and Caribou Mountains are a few mils away. The trailhead for Schoodic Mountain is about 15 miles (only 2 miles as the crow flies). Schoodic Mountain (elevation 1090 feet) offers fantastic views of Acadia, Mount Desert Island, and beyond. You can also walk ¼ mile to Schoodic Beach on Donnell Pond and go for a swim. Other hikes from the trailhead include Black Mountain, Fiery Mountain, and Wizard Pond.
If you like to mountain bike, check out the Downeast Sunrise Trail. This trail was constructed from an abandoned rail bed and stretches 85 miles through Maine wilderness from Ellsworth to Pembroke, with a trailhead just one mile from Little Loon Cabin.
Acadia National Park is nearby. Drive up Cadillac Mountain for great views of the Island and Downeast Maine. Drive the Park Loop Road and visit Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs. Hike the dozen mountain peaks on the Island. Wrap up your day with dinner in bustling Bar Harbor or the dine on the quiet side in Southwest Harbor or Bass Harbor. You can also leave your car and take the Windjammer Cruise Lines ferry to Bar Harbor from nearby Winter Harbor!
Donnell Pond Maine Public Reserve Land is free to visit. Acadia National Park requires a daily, weekly, or annual pass.
Guest access
Deck, lake, and dock are all available for guest access. Fully equipped kitchen with electric range, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher. There is a gas grill on the deck, with backup propane tank. Laundry is provided free of change. Wifi is provided.
Interaction with guests
Open communication with guests via email or phone before arrival and during your visit. Smart lock access provides contact-free check in and check out. Let us know what we can do to make this your perfect Downeast Maine vacation!
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Guests must review, sign, and return the Vacation Rental Agreement within 5 business days to confirm their booking.
Guests must sign our rental agreement and provide identification.
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
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 deadlock
About the area
Franklin
Located in Franklin, this cabin is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Wild Acadia Fun Park and Bartlett Maine Estate Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Downeast Scenic Railroad and Grand Theatre. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking.
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 54 min drive - 58.6 km
West Street Historic District - 59 min drive - 63.2 km
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 60 min drive - 64.3 km
Getting around
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 32 min drive
Restaurants
The Galley - 20 min drive
Ironbound Inn - 22 min drive
Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse - 22 min drive
maine coast sea vegetables - 7 min drive
La Petite Bakery - 21 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia?
As of 25 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia on 27 June 2026 start from NZ$528, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia?
Checkout is at 9:00 AM.
Where is Cute cabin on Donnell Pond near Bar Harbor and Acadia located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Donnell Pond and within 12 miles (20 km) of Spring River Lake and Wild Mountain Man Ray's Chainsaw Show. Tidal Falls and Abrams Pond are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The Little Loon Cabin on Donnell Pond was a lovely getaway. The listing didn’t do the cabin and atmosphere justice. Mornings on the water were beautiful. Fall colors were mirrored on the pond. It was such a quiet and meditative space, perfect for reading, writing, and just being. From the early morning loon calls to the stars in the evenings - it was perfect. I especially enjoyed the book collection and having the opportunity to read about Dan's mother was extra special.
This lake adventure was perfect for us.We kayacked and swam.The camp is just the most comfortable cabin.Sitting on the decks watching ,the birds the boats and the changes in daylight was great.Easy access to Ellsworth and Milbridge made this the right location for us.We would come back any season.Thank you, Alison
Beautiful quiet location, perfect for fall leaves and birding!
Had a lovely stay at the property. Kitchen was well stocked, beautiful lake views, bed was comfy. We worked remotely, wifi was a strong enough connection for two using VC together. We saw bald eagles daily and the loons on occasion!
Janette H.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 October 2023
So glad you enjoyed your stay! Please tell your friends and family about Little Loon, and come again!
Little Loon is a lovely camp on gorgeous Donnell Pond. The master bedroom is huge, with a very comfy king size bed and en suite bath. The sandy beach was great for launching our kayaks, and the kayaking was wonderful, with much of the surrounding land being wild preserve. There is also lovely hiking in the nearby blueberry barrens and nearby trails. We highly recommend this beautiful spot!
The cabin, property and atmosphere is absolutely great! The pond looked gorgeous this time of year. Owner responds very quickly, too! Perfect place to relax and unwind.
The cabin was perfect for us; very clean, quiet location, and beautiful setting. Absolutely loved it! The cabin had everything needed for a perfect stay, kitchen appliances and utensils, plenty of games and books, linens, and washer and dryer, which came in handy. Dan was fantastic to work with. He responded to my inquiries very quickly. We can't wait to visit, again.
Little Loon on Donnell Pond was a wonderful time and highly recommended place to stay! This is not a new cottage so it is rustic but with lots of modern conveniences. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed.Dan was a fabulous host, who provided lots of information on the house and the area. All our questions were answered prior to booking and concerns during the rental were handled quickly.The view of the lake from the master bed is amazing and will be greatly missed... until next time. Especially in the morning with the mist rising from the water. The cottage is tucked into trees but retains great views from the livingroom and porches. With the hummingbird feeder filled, we had lots of hummingbirds to watch. There were also loons and eagles seen by the house.This was a great base to explore downeast Maine... we didn't have time to see everything we had hopes but that just means we will need to return another year. Our trip included a day trip into New Brunswick Canada.We definitely recommend Little Loon if you are looking for a quiet, lakeside rental in the Downeast!
We stayed 1 week during our trip to Acadia. The property was accurately listed (photos were reflective). The cabin was a good size for my husband and I. I think if you had 4 people stay here it would have also been fine. It was nice having two bathrooms. The kitchen was well stocked with appliances, cookware, and spices/cooking necessities. It was REALLY nice having laundry available, as well. As far as location… it was perfect for us. Situated right on beautiful Donnel pond at the end of a little road where it was secluded and peaceful. About 45-50 min to bar harbor/acadia which isn’t bad. Plus, we were comparable distance to Schoodic Point which was great. Didn’t explore the area too much around Donnell Pond, but would have loved to if we had more time! Minor complaints:- The osmosis filter may have needed changing, as water only came out at a drip. I’d recommend bringing bottles water, since the faucet water comes from pond. - Couldn’t get the hot water to work in the master bedroom. However, we used the other shower and thus never really tried hard to trouble shoot it (coulda been a user error).- shower curtain in smaller bathroom likely needs changing as it was a bit moldy. - wish we coulda opened windows to let in some fresh air in bedroom. I’d say this cabin felt very “campy” which is fun and it’s the vibe. Other things we enjoyed: - large master bedroom with beautiful lake views. - the dock w/ a nice view and chair- the porch w/ nice furniture to relax
Caroline H.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 23 September 2025
So glad you enjoyed your stay at our camp. We will definitely address the issues you mention. The master bath does have hot water, but the handle works the opposite of the usual - I'll leave a note. We are working to get all the windows replaced so they can function properly. We rebuilt the foundation and replaced the roof, and now we can start replacing doors and windows. Still a lot to do but we are getting there!! Come back and see us again!
Dan & Family, thank you all so much for sharing Little Loon with us. What an absolutely wonderful and special place it is! We were SO sad to leave at the end of or stay! If you want an authentic Maine "Upta Camp" vibe and experience, this is the place! The cabin itself is completely charming, with the rustic camp feel but with great modern amenities. We made ample use of the grill on the deck, did some lobstahs, even! Great views and natural light in the main room and primary suite. And you cannot beat the location! A nice private spot with perfect swimming & kayaking in Donnell Pond and a front row seat to the Milky Way, Big Dipper and shooting stars in abundance at night! There were ample supplies and necessities, along with a great selection of puzzles and games. Dan is a perfect host and was super responsive to any questions and left excellent detailed info about the house. It was a stress free and absolutely memorable week that far surpassed what we'd hoped for. We will absolutely (absoloonly?) be back! The energy and feel of this little bit o' heaven is just sooooo good. Thank you again!!! Highly recommended!
My family and I had a wonderful time at this spot - we loved having our own lake. It definitely is quite the trek to get to so keep that in mind if you are interested in going to dinners. But overall we absolutely loved it - beautiful spot!
Very clean! Out of the way and secluded with beautiful views. Cottage was cozy with all the necessities. Only about 45 minutes to Acadia Park and 15 minutes into Ellsworth. If you want to get away from all the tourist traffic this is your rental. Dan was wonderful to work with and very responsive. 5 stars!
I grew up in Bar Harbor, Maine and now live in New York City and Sullivan, Maine. I love hiking, biking, sailing and birding. Little Loon Cabin is the perfect base to explore Acadia National Park or just stay home and play on the pond.
Why they chose this property
I grew up playing on Donnell Pond where my childhood buddies had camps. We would canoe, swim, and fish all over the pond, much of which is still wilderness. When I got the chance to buy a camp I didn't hesitate.
What makes this property unique
Little Loon Cabin is just steps from Donnell Pond, with its unspoiled beauty and abundant wildlife. You'll have your own private dock for swimming and boating. Easy access to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Surrounded by Donnell Pond Maine Public Reserve Land with unspoiled mountains and lakes for you to explore.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests