These 10 Waterfall Swimming Holes In Maine Are Perfect For A Summer Day
Between our amazing beaches and beautiful inland lakes, there is no shortage of places to swim during a Maine summer. Some of our favorite spots are swimming holes – the little, unexpected places to jump in after a sweaty hike or the perfect picnic. What could possibly make a day spent at a swimming hole better? How about a day spent at a swimming hole that’s actually fed by a waterfall?!
While we love all of Maine’s little swimming holes, there’s something a bit more exciting about the ones that come with a built-in slide or jumping platform. Here are just a few examples of what we’re talking about?
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Located in Katahdin Iron Works State Park in central Maine, Gulf Hagas is known as the "Grand Canyon of Maine." After hiking the 8.6-mile loop, you can jump in to cool off at the base of some of the falls. The water is fed by the multiple falls that run throughout the area, which only adds to the incredible beauty of the area.
To fully appreciate the waterflow at The Cataracts, a visit in spring is best. The individual falls leading to the various pools are collectively about 100' in height. Enjoy swimming, splashing and sliding around the rocks here.
We hate playing favorites, but in this case we must. This is our favorite! Possibly because it requires a bit of a small trek to get here. This just might be the most magical of all the swimming holes on this list. The water is completely clear and taking a dip almost feels tropical. As long as you can ignore the absolutely frigid temps that come with it. The pool is fed by Rattlesnake Brook and a mossy slide leads to it. The pool is actually on privately owned land, but the public is permitted to access it via a fairly easy hike very near Blueberry Mountain. Take the Stone House Trail in Evans Notch and veer off to hit the pool.
This swimming hole is easily accessed by simply pulling off of the Route 17 Scenic Highway. The swimming area is a deep area within the Swift River and is nestled between two fairly steep sections of rock. It can sometimes be slippery to access, so exercise extreme caution when heading in. Then, once you're in, soak up the sun!
The fact that this isn't a proper swimming hole in the way you might imagine doesn't really matter. What matters is that the falls make a beautiful natural slide that will give you a fun ride until you hit the bottom and begin running up again for your next!
Frenchman's Hole is exactly what comes to mind when you imagine summer Maine swimming holes. Its high rocky ledges and deep, crystal water allow for some epic dives and the shallower upper pool is great for kids and taking a dip with your dog. If the water is running heavily, be very careful as it can be quite dangerous.
These falls are actually primarily swimming holes made more fun by the presence of rock slides. Located on the west side of Baxter State Park, you can see the area directly from the main road in the park. Bring flotation devices to make the slides even more fun!
This area boasts many pools along the network of Houston Brook Falls. You'll find the falls near Wyman Lake, where Houston Brook empties along the Kennebec River.
The swimming holes throughout Smalls Falls are fun for kids as well as adventurous grownups. The lowest pool can be accessed via the parking lot and the rest are just a short scramble up the rocks. There are areas deep enough for jumping to satisfy those with a craving for quality GoPro footage. And, the best part is the falls that feed it!
Three Pools is a part of the Swift River and is located at the base of a small set of falls. Accessing it means parking along the road and walking towards the river. As you get close, you'll find yourself at the ledge. Once you're there you'll love splashing around. Here's a video that highlights the area:
Looking for more swimming options? Check out our recent article on secret Maine beaches.
