Lesser-Known Maine Swimming Holes
“Lesser-known” here means quieter alternatives to the busiest marquee stops, not a promise of empty parking or a secret you should chase. Every row still links to a full guide with access notes.
Use the map to see how spread out these are, then open each guide for swim notes, hazard callouts, and seasonal reality. For the core statewide swim list, use Best Maine swimming holes.
Rank 1: The Honey Hole (Sunday River) — Newry
Locally known Sunday River swim bend below the ski resort in Newry, Maine. Informal pull-off access.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 2: Swift River Falls — Mexico (swim guide)
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Tiered drop on the Swift River in Roxbury, Maine. Roadside scenic stop along the Route 17 corridor.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 3: Ellis Falls — Andover
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A cascade in the Andover area of Oxford County, part of the Ellis River corridor in Maine's Lakes & Mountains.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 4: Frenchman's Hole — Bethel
Classic Bull Branch swim hole off Sunday River Road north of Bethel, Maine, with deep pool, ledge, and cliff jumps.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 5: Mad River Falls — Batchelders Grant
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A tiered waterfall on the Mad River in unorganized Batchelders Grant, Oxford County, Maine.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 6: Poplar Stream Falls — Carrabassett Valley
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Twin Carrabassett Valley waterfalls on the Maine Huts & Trails system, Franklin County, Maine.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 7: Gulf Hagas — Bowdoin College Grant East
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Maine's classic slate gorge on the West Branch Pleasant River in the KI Jo-Mary country. 8-mile AT-linked loop.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 8: Rattlesnake Pool — Lovell
A deep clear plunge pool below Rattlesnake Flume in Lovell, Oxford County, Maine, near Evans Notch.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 9: Wight Brook (Step Falls context) — Newry
Brook feeding the Step Falls Preserve cascades in Newry, Maine, in the Grafton Notch corridor of Oxford County.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 10: Emerald Pool — Lovell
A small clear pool in the Evans Notch corridor near Lovell, Maine and Chatham, New Hampshire.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min