Here Are 11 Maine Swimming Holes That Will Make Your Summer Epic
Maine’s coastal wonderland means plenty of opportunities to enjoy the (often frigid) ocean waters we call home. Our lakes also offer tons of recreational activities, but with slightly warmer waters. We’ve told you about both our beaches and lakes in the past, but when we sat down to think about other summer activities we realized that there’s one more way for Mainers to enjoy a summer cool-down. Our waterfalls and rivers provide excellent swimming holes. We’ve listed a few awesome options for you here.
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.
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!
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.
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.
This just might be the most magical of all the swimming holes on this list. The waters are 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. Click here for a pretty good article on accessing it.
While you can't actually have a proper swim here, these pools are great for sliding down the very slippery rocks. Kids will love this and it's likely you'll end up spending an entire day splashing about.
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 very unofficial pool is part of the Royal River Park. Follow the path in the park to a small waterfall where you can spend some time in the water. Then go further down the waterway to find a much larger area which is nice for some actual swimming. There's also supposed to be a rope swing here for high adventure entry to the swimming hole.
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.
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:
The best swimming holes are often the smallest, hidden within our favorite forests. What is the best swimming hole you’ve found in Maine? Let us know over on our Facebook page!
