Bubble Rock

Bubble Rock sits on a granite ledge above a colorful fall forest in Acadia National Park.

Bubble Rock sits on the cliff edge above Jordan Pond, a 100-ton boulder ready to drop into view. It was carried by glaciers from Lucerne, Maine, about 40 miles away, and left behind as the ice melted. From here, Jordan Pond, Pemetic Mountain, and Penobscot Mountain frame the view.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 44.33943, -68.25378
Accessibility: Moderate; steep granite stairs and exposed sections; not wheelchair-friendly

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Jordan Pond, Pemetic Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, Jordan Pond House, Bubbles Divide Parking Lot
Nearby Facilities: Jordan Pond House and park facilities nearby; no restrooms at the trailhead
Best Time To Visit: Spring through fall
Tips Advice: Parking fills by 9 a.m. in peak season; arrive early or use Island Explorer.
Stay back from the cliff edge; no barriers.
Wear sturdy footwear; granite stairs can be slick when wet.
Insider Tips: Parking fills by 9am in peak season; arrive early or use Island Explorer
Bubble Rock is a glacial erratic; observe the rounded edges and Lucerne Granite origin
Wear sturdy footwear; wet granite stairs can be slick

More details

Park Area: Acadia National Park – The Bubbles (South Bubble)
Family Friendly Notes: Exposed cliff edge; supervise children closely; hold hands near edge
Recent Updates: Unknown
Attraction Type: Geological Formation
Elevation Feet: 767
Distance From Entrance: Unknown
Accessibility Level: Moderate; not wheelchair-friendly due to steep stairs and exposed sections
How To Get There: From Park Loop Road, drive to the Bubbles Divide Parking Lot; follow the Bubble Rock Trail about 1.5 miles round-trip to Bubble Rock.
Parking Availability: Fills by 9 a.m. in peak season; overflow parking available; Island Explorer bus operates late June–early September, restricting private vehicle access
Road Type: Paved
Seasonal Access: Spring–Fall focus; winter access not indicated
Entry Fees: Unknown
Main Features: Glacial erratic on the edge of a cliff, composed of Lucerne Granite; weight about 100 tons; views overlook Jordan Pond with Pemetic and Penobscot Mountains nearby; bedrock is Cadillac Mountain Granite in the surrounding area; end moraine context evident at Jordan Pond
What Youll See: Bubble Rock perched at the cliff edge with Jordan Pond and surrounding peaks; views extend to Pemetic Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, and the Atlantic horizon beyond
Unique Characteristics: A 100-ton glacial erratic transported roughly 40 miles from Lucerne Granite; evidence of glacial transport; ties to the larger Bubbles formed by ice movement
Safety Considerations: Gravity hazard at the cliff edge; no barriers; slippery granite stairs when wet; stay back from the edge and wear sturdy footwear
Best Viewpoints: Stand at the Bubble Rock viewing area along the cliff edge for a frontal frame with Jordan Pond and the Bubbles
Photo Opportunities: Golden-hour shots over Jordan Pond; rock as foreground with mountains in the background; backlit morning lighting over the pond
Photography Spots: Bubble Rock viewing area; Jordan Pond; Pemetic Mountain
Stargazing Quality: Unknown
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Golden-hour lighting useful for photography around Jordan Pond
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Restroom Type: Vault toilets may be available at other park trailheads; none at the Bubble Rock trailhead
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 1
Cell Service: Unknown
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 1
Trailheads Here: Bubbles Divide Parking Lot; Bubble Rock Trail
Connecting Trails: Bubble Rock Trail from Bubbles Divide; connections to North Bubble Loop
Nearby Services: Jordan Pond House nearby; Island Explorer bus; vault toilets at other park locations
Common Wildlife: Peregrine falcons on cliffs; white-tailed deer; songbirds; squirrels; potential foxes or raccoons
Best Wildlife Times: Spring and fall migrations; mornings ideal for wildlife viewing
Wildflower Peak: Unknown
Fall Colors Peak: Autumn colors peak in fall, contrasting with Jordan Pond
Geological Formation Type: Glacial erratic
Scientific Interest: Demonstrates glacial transport; supports the historical understanding of vast ice sheets shaping Acadia; highlights end-moraine influence on Jordan Pond
Road Opening Dates: Unknown
Snow Lingering: Unknown
Winter Access: Unknown
Best Visit Times: Spring–Fall; mornings for wildlife; avoid peak weekend mid-day in summer
Best Season: Spring through fall
Weather Patterns: Mornings can be foggy; midday glare; summer crowds; typical Acadia weather
Peak Fill Times: 9 a.m.
Busiest Season: Weekends and mid-summer
Waterfall Height: Not available
Waterfall Flow Rate: Not available
Lake Size: Unknown
Fishing Species: Unknown
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: 4.8 stars from 375 reviews. Visitors note the dramatic cliff-edge setting and the massive size of Bubble Rock; expect crowded parking during peak season
Sources: National Park Service — Bubble Rock (official page): http://www.nps.gov/index.htm: 2026-01-28
National Park Service — Acadia National Park fees, hours & conditions: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm: 2026-07-05
Research Sources: alibaba.com: https://wellness.alibaba.com/outdoor/bubble-rock-trail-hike-guide
advcollective.com: https://app.advcollective.com/united_states/Landmark/bubble-rock-in-acadia-national-park
nps.gov: https://www.nps.gov/places/acadia-earthcache-stop-two.htm
lowaboots.com: https://www.lowaboots.com/blogs/adventures/bubble-rock-by-lisa-ballard
bangordailynews.com: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/07/10/outdoors/act-out/why-the-bubbles-acadia-national-park-most-iconic-mountains/
q1065.fm: https://q1065.fm/maines-bubble-rock-acadia-park/
atlasobscura.com: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bubble-rock
umaine.edu: https://iceagetrail.umaine.edu/trail-stops/stop-2/
npshistory.com: https://npshistory.com/publications/acad/index.htm
usgs.gov: https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-acadia-national-park
acadiaonmymind.com: https://acadiaonmymind.com/2014/07/bubble-rock-acadia-national-park/
musingsofarover.com: https://www.musingsofarover.com/hiking-bubble-rock-trail/
hikingproject.com: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7007397/bubble-rock
noahlangphotography.com: https://noahlangphotography.com/blog/bubbles-trail-acadia-national-park
nationalparkphotographer.com: https://nationalparkphotographer.com/bubble-rock/
mainetrailfinder.com: https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/acadia-national-park-north-bubble-loop
citrusmilo.com: https://www.citrusmilo.com/acadiaguide/southbubble.php
onxmaps.com: https://www.onxmaps.com/hiking/n2qv9md1xz95/the-bubbles-and-bubble-rock-hike
ericsturgeon.com: https://www.ericsturgeon.com/blog/bubble-rock-trail-hike-acadia/
parkcation.com: https://www.parkcation.com/nationalparks/acadia/bubbles/
virginiatrailguide.com: https://virginiatrailguide.com/2011/08/09/the-bubbles-acadia-national-park/
youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdmYiuvP7kU
reddit.com: https://www.reddit.com/r/acadianationalpark/comments/1dxmc7d/bubbles_trail_head/
visitmaine.com: https://visitmaine.com/articles/nature-wildlife-in-acadia-national-park/
acadiamagic.com: https://acadiamagic.com/bubble-pond.html

Location

Photos

Bubble Rock overlook in Acadia National Park offers a dramatic cliffside view of forested hills and a blue lake.

Bubble Rock overlook on granite outcrop in Acadia National Park showcases surrounding spruce forests and blue skies above.

Bubble Rock overlook at Acadia National Park sits on a rocky promontory with a cross and surrounding pines.

Bubble Rock shoreline at Acadia National Park shows clear lake water, rocks, and driftwood with forested hills in the background.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 9am to get parking?

Yes. The Bubbles Divide Parking Lot fills by 9 a.m. in peak season; plan to arrive early or use Island Explorer to reach the trailhead.

Is it worth the 1.5-mile round-trip hike just to see Bubble Rock?

Yes. A 100-ton glacial erratic sits at the cliff edge with views of Jordan Pond and surrounding peaks; the walk is moderate and the payoff is a direct encounter with glacial history.

Can I bring kids or dogs on this trail?

The trail is moderate with exposed cliff edges and no guardrails; keep children close and dogs leashed where allowed; check park policies for dogs on this specific route.

Will I see wildlife, and when is best?

Peregrine falcons inhabit the cliffs; early mornings in spring and fall offer the best wildlife opportunities.

Is there wheelchair access or easy terrain for accessibility?

No. The route includes steep granite stairs and exposed sections, so it is not wheelchair-friendly.