A Boulder That Should Not Be There
Bubble Rock is a tabletop-sized granite boulder balanced on the edge of South Bubble’s clifftop, looking like it was placed there by hand and could be pushed off with a shoulder. It cannot. The glacier that left it behind in this position retreated about 12,000 years ago, and the boulder has been sitting on its sheer cliff edge ever since.
The hike to it is short, manageable for kids, and ends with one of the most photographed scenes in Acadia: the boulder framed against Jordan Pond and Pemetic Mountain in the distance.
The Hike
The standard route is from the Bubble Rock parking lot on Park Loop Road. The trail climbs through mixed hardwood forest for about half a mile before opening onto granite ledges. The summit of South Bubble (766 feet) is a flat, open expanse with views in three directions and the boulder itself perched on the eastern edge.
Total round-trip is roughly 1 mile with about 310 feet of climbing. Most visitors do it in 45 minutes to an hour.
If you want a longer outing, continue past South Bubble down the saddle, climb North Bubble (872 feet, the higher of the two), and return via the Bubbles Divide Trail. The full Bubbles loop is about 1.6 miles and adds another panoramic summit with views over Eagle Lake.
The Boulder
The “erratic” — a geologist’s term for a rock left behind by retreating ice — is a chunk of granite about ten feet across, weighing an estimated 14 tons. The composition of the rock differs from the bedrock of South Bubble, which is how geologists know it traveled. Studies suggest it originated some 30 miles north and was carried here by the Laurentide ice sheet.
Generations of visitors have posed in front of it pretending to push it off. The rock is staying where it is.
The classic Bubble Rock photo is taken from the side, lining yourself up so you appear to be holding it up or pushing it. For better light, come in late afternoon when the eastern face is lit. Sunrise on Bubble Rock is also stunning, and the parking lot is empty before 7 AM.
When to Go
Spring
Trail open year-round but icy in early spring. Park Loop Road typically opens mid-April.
Summer
Peak season. Parking lot fills by 9 AM in July and August. Arrive early or take the Island Explorer shuttle.
Fall
September and early October peak foliage views from the summit.
Winter
Park Loop Road closes in winter; access is on snowshoes or skis from the Eagle Lake trailhead.
Getting There
From Bar Harbor, take Park Loop Road south to the Bubble Rock parking area, located between Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond. The trailhead is across the road from the lot. In peak summer the lot fills early — the free Island Explorer shuttle stops here on Route 5 (Jordan Pond), reducing the need to drive.
FAQ
How long does the Bubble Rock hike take?
About 45 minutes to an hour round-trip for most hikers. Add another 30-45 minutes if you continue to North Bubble.
Is the trail kid-friendly?
Yes. The trail has some uneven footing and short rocky sections but most kids age 5 and up handle it without issues. Hold hands near the cliff edge at the top.
Can I push Bubble Rock off?
No. It is solidly seated on the clifftop and weighs about 14 tons. The pose-to-push photo has been taken thousands of times. The rock is not going anywhere.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a six-foot leash. This is one of the more dog-friendly short hikes in Acadia.
Is there a fee?
Yes. An Acadia National Park entrance pass ($35 per vehicle for 7 days) is required. The same pass covers all of Acadia for a week.
