Best Maine Swimming Holes Near You
This page is map-first on purpose: pick a region, tap the pins, and open the guide that matches how you are traveling. The ranking mixes western mountains, Moosehead-area access, Acadia beaches, and Portland-area river context so the page feels trip-based instead of GPS-based.
After you shortlist a pin, read the guide’s swim notes for what is allowed, what is hazardous, and what changes with season. For a swim-curated statewide list, use Best Maine swimming holes.
#1 Smalls Falls — Rangeley area
Waterfall in Township E, Popular tiered waterfall stop south of Rangeley on Route 4. Public and Roadside lot (Township E, Maine).
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#2 Coos Canyon — Rangeley / River Valley swim
Freshwater stop in Mexico, Maine. Natural swim access and Limited parking.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical
#3 Step Falls — Bethel / Newry area
Waterfall in Newry, Waterfall coords on trail upstream of lot Roadside parking rules on Bear River Rd . do not block. 7.8…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#4 Screw Auger Falls — Bethel swim stop
Swim: allowed. Swimming hole in Bethel, Maine with a natural, swimmable setting.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical
#5 Gulf Hagas area — Greenville / Moosehead swim cluster
Freshwater stop in BANGOR, Maine. Natural swim access and Limited parking.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical
#6 Kineo public beach — Moosehead Lake (Rockwood)
Freshwater stop in Rockwood, Moosehead Lake beach area near Mount Kineo . town/landing access. verify local parking. Public…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#7 Echo Lake Beach — Acadia NP
Freshwater stop in Mount Desert, Lifeguard season at Echo Lake. fee park . official NPS swimming page. Public and Limited… (Mount Desert, Maine).
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#8 Sand Beach — Acadia NP
Freshwater stop in Mount Desert, Cold water. surf on some days . lifeguard limited season. park fee. Natural swim access and… (Mount Desert, Maine).
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#9 East End Beach — Portland
Freshwater stop in Portland, City beach on Casco Bay . cold water. Public and Town lot, state park lot, or roadside public…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#10 Presumpscot River Trail — Portland / Falmouth
Freshwater stop in Portland / Falmouth, Multi-use trail along river. informal wading spots . verify signage. Public and…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical