When you’re overwhelmed with the hot water we can have in Maine, don’t worry! We’re trying to find the best ways to cool down in Maine. We love the beach, but that water can be cold no matter what time of year it is. Lakes are great too, but often filled with other folks who have the same idea. That’s why we love the best swimming holes in Maine. They’re often visited only by locals who live close and they’re always a ton of fun! Pack a picnic, grab your bathing suit, and enjoy a day in these cool swimming holes in Maine.
- Frenchman’s Hole, Bethel
Alex Kerney / Flickr Imagine summer days in Maine and you’ll likely conjure images of this spot! You’ll find high rocky ledges perfect for cannonballs into the deep, clear water below. There’s also a shallower pool at the top which is great for littler kids. Always be careful here as it’s often slippery. One of the best Maine swimming holes, Frenchmen’s Hole is a crystal clear option for those hot, sticky, summer days. Frenchman’s Hole, Sunday River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
- Ledge Falls Pools, Medway
starre / Flickr You won’t find just one swimming hole, but many! The best part is landing in them by sliding on the rocks surrounding them. Located on the west side of Baxter State Park, you can see the area directly from the main road in the park. To up your relaxation, bring floats to spend your time idly remembering why you love Maine so much. There are so many great Maine swimming holes that it can be hard to narrow it down to just one. Grab a list and rotate through so you can enjoy them all through the long summer months. Ledge Falls, Medway, ME 04460, USA
- Coos Canyon, Oxford County
travelingotter / Flickr If you like your swimming holes to come with minimal effort, this is the one for you! You can access it by pulling off of the Route 17 Scenic Highway. The swimming area, within the Swift River, is fairly deep and located between two steep sections of rock. Expect things to be slippery, so always be careful near the edge. Swimming holes in Oxford CountyTEXT are a special sort of fun, and there’s plenty of them to choose from! Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USA
- The Cataracts, Oxford County
binkley27 / Flickr While optimal waterflow is in the spring, you should plan on visiting this spot any time you want to cool down. The falls leading to the multiple pools below are about 100-feet high, making it fun to splash around in the parts that hit the water. Easily one of the best swimming holes in Maine, an easy hike will bring you to the base of these spectacular falls. The Cataracts, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
- Houston Brook Falls Pools, Bingham
andrewjking87 / Flickr Head to Wyman Lake where Houston Brook empties along the Kennebec River to access this swimming spot. There are lots of pools all along the brook for multiple types of fun. Are the Houston Brook Falls Pools in Maine frequently referred to as some of the best swimming holes in Maine? Absolutely, and you should see why for yourself! Houston Brook Falls, Bingham, ME 04920, USA
- Step Falls Pools, Newry
binkley27 / Flickr While not a traditional swimming hole, we love this one for it’s fun natural slide. The rocks here are slippery making them a great ride for people who want a little more adventure in their cool-off endeavors. Land at the bottom and head to the top to do it all again. The natural waterslide at Step Falls Pools makes it a top choice out of all o these swimming holes in Maine. Step Falls Preserve, Newry, ME 04261, USA
- Smalls Falls, Franklin County
binkley27 / Flickr This is a great place to visit if you have a mix of kids and grownups. There are areas deep enough for jumping from high above, but enough shallow areas to keep things calm. Access the lowest pool via the parking lot and the rest are just a short scramble up the rocks. We love this accessible Maine swimming hole, and we think you and the whole family will, too. Smalls Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04970, USA
- Gulf Hagas, Piscataquis County
thomascook / Flickr You’ll need to be a bit ambitious to reach this cool-off spot. Gulf Hagas, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” is located within Katahdin Iron Works State Park. Hike the 8.6-mile loop, the jump into the base of the falls for the ultimate way to beat the heat. The water is fed by the waterfalls falls running throughout the area, making this a spot to visit if you love Maine’s views as well. Definitely high up on our list of Maine swimming holes, it’s also great when you want a great waterfall hike in Maine. Gulf Hagas Brook, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04414, USA
- Rattlesnake Pool, Oxford County
logicalrealist / Flickr This one requires a hike, but the effort is worth it. As long as you can ignore the frigid temps, that is! The pool is fed by Rattlesnake Brook, which you can reach by taking the Stone House Trail in Evans Notch before veering off for the pool. Luckily an easy hike to this Evans Notch, South Oxford, ME 04217, USA
- Three Pools, Swift River, Roxbury
The B’s / Flickr Another swimming area that’s part of the Swift River, Three Pools is located at the base of a small set of falls. To get there, parking along the road and walk towards the river. When you get close, you’ll find yourself at the ledge where you can get in and enjoy! Waterfalls and swimming holes in Maine; does summer get any better than this? We think not! Swift River Road, Swift River Rd, Roxbury, ME, USA
Have you visited any of the best swimming holes in Maine? What did you think? Did you love them? Let us know in the comments below!
Alex Kerney / Flickr
Imagine summer days in Maine and you’ll likely conjure images of this spot! You’ll find high rocky ledges perfect for cannonballs into the deep, clear water below. There’s also a shallower pool at the top which is great for littler kids. Always be careful here as it’s often slippery. One of the best Maine swimming holes, Frenchmen’s Hole is a crystal clear option for those hot, sticky, summer days.
Frenchman’s Hole, Sunday River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
starre / Flickr
You won’t find just one swimming hole, but many! The best part is landing in them by sliding on the rocks surrounding them. Located on the west side of Baxter State Park, you can see the area directly from the main road in the park. To up your relaxation, bring floats to spend your time idly remembering why you love Maine so much. There are so many great Maine swimming holes that it can be hard to narrow it down to just one. Grab a list and rotate through so you can enjoy them all through the long summer months.
Ledge Falls, Medway, ME 04460, USA
travelingotter / Flickr
If you like your swimming holes to come with minimal effort, this is the one for you! You can access it by pulling off of the Route 17 Scenic Highway. The swimming area, within the Swift River, is fairly deep and located between two steep sections of rock. Expect things to be slippery, so always be careful near the edge. Swimming holes in Oxford CountyTEXT are a special sort of fun, and there’s plenty of them to choose from!
Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USA
binkley27 / Flickr
While optimal waterflow is in the spring, you should plan on visiting this spot any time you want to cool down. The falls leading to the multiple pools below are about 100-feet high, making it fun to splash around in the parts that hit the water. Easily one of the best swimming holes in Maine, an easy hike will bring you to the base of these spectacular falls.
The Cataracts, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
andrewjking87 / Flickr
Head to Wyman Lake where Houston Brook empties along the Kennebec River to access this swimming spot. There are lots of pools all along the brook for multiple types of fun. Are the Houston Brook Falls Pools in Maine frequently referred to as some of the best swimming holes in Maine? Absolutely, and you should see why for yourself!
Houston Brook Falls, Bingham, ME 04920, USA
While not a traditional swimming hole, we love this one for it’s fun natural slide. The rocks here are slippery making them a great ride for people who want a little more adventure in their cool-off endeavors. Land at the bottom and head to the top to do it all again. The natural waterslide at Step Falls Pools makes it a top choice out of all o these swimming holes in Maine.
Step Falls Preserve, Newry, ME 04261, USA
This is a great place to visit if you have a mix of kids and grownups. There are areas deep enough for jumping from high above, but enough shallow areas to keep things calm. Access the lowest pool via the parking lot and the rest are just a short scramble up the rocks. We love this accessible Maine swimming hole, and we think you and the whole family will, too.
Smalls Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04970, USA
thomascook / Flickr
You’ll need to be a bit ambitious to reach this cool-off spot. Gulf Hagas, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” is located within Katahdin Iron Works State Park. Hike the 8.6-mile loop, the jump into the base of the falls for the ultimate way to beat the heat. The water is fed by the waterfalls falls running throughout the area, making this a spot to visit if you love Maine’s views as well. Definitely high up on our list of Maine swimming holes, it’s also great when you want a great waterfall hike in Maine.
Gulf Hagas Brook, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04414, USA
logicalrealist / Flickr
This one requires a hike, but the effort is worth it. As long as you can ignore the frigid temps, that is! The pool is fed by Rattlesnake Brook, which you can reach by taking the Stone House Trail in Evans Notch before veering off for the pool. Luckily an easy hike to this Evans Notch, South Oxford, ME 04217, USA
The B’s / Flickr
Another swimming area that’s part of the Swift River, Three Pools is located at the base of a small set of falls. To get there, parking along the road and walk towards the river. When you get close, you’ll find yourself at the ledge where you can get in and enjoy! Waterfalls and swimming holes in Maine; does summer get any better than this? We think not!
Swift River Road, Swift River Rd, Roxbury, ME, USA
One of our absolute favorite swimming holes is this one in Oxford County. It’s part of a larger gorge and features a hidden waterfall and lots of secret places to explore.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes In Maine June 03, 2022 Megan McDonald Does Maine have a lot of swimming holes? Maine, home to 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, is stocked full of fantastic swimming holes. If you’re far away from the coast, or just looking for a little nook to cool off in, choose one of the hundred great swimming holes in Maine. Can you swim in the lakes in Maine? Absolutely! Maine’s lakes are another great option to cool off in. With over 6,000 lakes in the state, there’s guaranteed to be one nearby.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes In Maine
June 03, 2022
Megan McDonald
Does Maine have a lot of swimming holes? Maine, home to 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, is stocked full of fantastic swimming holes. If you’re far away from the coast, or just looking for a little nook to cool off in, choose one of the hundred great swimming holes in Maine. Can you swim in the lakes in Maine? Absolutely! Maine’s lakes are another great option to cool off in. With over 6,000 lakes in the state, there’s guaranteed to be one nearby.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine, home to 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, is stocked full of fantastic swimming holes. If you’re far away from the coast, or just looking for a little nook to cool off in, choose one of the hundred great swimming holes in Maine.
Can you swim in the lakes in Maine?
Absolutely! Maine’s lakes are another great option to cool off in. With over 6,000 lakes in the state, there’s guaranteed to be one nearby.
