Hiking in Maine is one of the reasons we hold our breath for warm weather all year long. From tough ones, to simple ones, wooded ones in the forest to breezy ones on the coast – they’re all pretty incredible. But on a hot day, there’s nothing better than the trails that lead to a refreshing dip. To work up a sweat and then relax the rest of the day away, try these treks, which we consider some of the best hikes in Maine!
- Acadia National Park & The Bowl, Mt. Desert Island
dave-a-roni / Flickr The Bowl is a beautiful high-altitude lake that’s perfect for swimming on a hot Maine day. While it’s near the summit of The Beehive, the lake is reached far more easily than The Beehive. In fact, the trail to reach The Bowl lake is well-marked and only about 1.5 miles roundtrip. While the trail isn’t difficult, it does go slightly uphill. Upon arriving you’ll be met with some of the clearest water in the area, along with the opportunity for a relaxing swim at the always lovely Acadia National Park! Acadia National Park Pond, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Whitten Hill & Lake St. George, Liberty
Anna D. / TripAdvisor There’s a lovely 25-mile network of trails on the local conservation land here in Liberty. At the end of your meanders, head to Lake St. George State Park in for a dip in what’s a bit of an undeveloped lake. Lake St. George State Park, 278 Belfast Augusta Rd, Liberty, ME 04949, USA
- Bald Mountain & Rangeley Lake, Oquossoc
pavdw / Flickr
pasfam / Flickr Take a one mile hike to reach the top of Bald Mountain, which will provide you with views of Rangelely and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, head back to Rangeley Lake State Park, to enjoy the grassy areas and swimming in Rangeley Lake. Bald Mountain, Rangeley, ME 04964, USA
- Baxter State Park & Daicey Pond, Millinocket
jackheddon / Flickr This is your chance to try out the Appalachian Trail without actually committing to a grueling multi-month hike! Start at Katahdin Stream Campground and head south to Daicey Pond. From here head back using the Nature Trail, Tracy and Elbow Ponds Trail for a total of five miles. You can actually swim in all of the ponds along the way, but there’s a dock at Daicey Pond that’s perfect for getting in the water at Baxter State Park. Daicey Pond, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04462, USA
- Beech Mountain & Echo Lake, Acadia National Park
gardenbeth / Flickr Echo Lake, Maine, USA
jsmjr / Flickr This hike is a bit more challenging than some of the rest. You’ll start from Echo Lake and climb the steel ladders of Beech Cliff Trail. From here take a look over the cliff to see the expanse of Acadia. Once you’ve had your fill, head down using the Canada Cliff Trail, which is a bit easier. Cool off at the sandy beach on Echo Lake.
- Schoodic Mountain & Donnell Pond, Aurora
michaelcr / Flickr
michaelcr / Flickr Scenic Schoodic Mountain is a bit bare at the top, but the views of the coastline are wonderful. You can even see as far as Acadia National Park on some days. Head back down to check out Schoodic Beach, a sandy area located on the shores of Donnell Pond. This three mile journey is easy on the legs and the reward is sweet. Schoodic Mountain, East Hancock, ME 04634, USA
- Caribou Mountain & Basin Pond, Franklin County
logicalrealist / Flickr
rwshea / Flickr Head to Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest to take in the Caribou and Mud Brook trails. This will be about a five mile loop hike. Look to the west to see the peaks of the Carter-Moriah and Presidential ranges. Within all of this is Basin Pond, where you can also camp nearby. White Mountain National Forest, Livermore, NH 03812, USA
- Mount Blue & Webb Lake, Weld
qwrrty / Flickr About two miles hiking will bring you to the observation tower at the top of Mount Blue, located within the largest State Park in Maine - Mount Blue State Park. From here you’ll see Tumbledown, Little and Big Jackson and Blueberry mountains. Then, head down to Webb Lake to enjoy a swim and picnic. Mt. Blue State Park, 297 Center Hill Rd, Weld, ME 04285, USA
- Number Four Mountain & Moosehead Lake, Maine Highlands Region
crashmaster / Flickr Number Four Mountain, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04441, USA
jenpilot / Flickr This beautiful hike in Maine is one of our favorites because the views afford a hint of what you’ll soon be enjoying. Once at the summit of Number Four Mountain, the views of Moosehead Lake, as well as Baker and Lily Bay mountains are beautiful. Hike four miles round-trip and then head towards a cooling dip at the beach area on Moosehead Lake in Lily Bay State Park.
Well, what do you think? Do you agree that the above represent some of the best hikes in Maine? Sound off in the comments below!
dave-a-roni / Flickr
The Bowl is a beautiful high-altitude lake that’s perfect for swimming on a hot Maine day. While it’s near the summit of The Beehive, the lake is reached far more easily than The Beehive. In fact, the trail to reach The Bowl lake is well-marked and only about 1.5 miles roundtrip. While the trail isn’t difficult, it does go slightly uphill. Upon arriving you’ll be met with some of the clearest water in the area, along with the opportunity for a relaxing swim at the always lovely Acadia National Park!
Acadia National Park Pond, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Anna D. / TripAdvisor
There’s a lovely 25-mile network of trails on the local conservation land here in Liberty. At the end of your meanders, head to Lake St. George State Park in for a dip in what’s a bit of an undeveloped lake.
Lake St. George State Park, 278 Belfast Augusta Rd, Liberty, ME 04949, USA
pavdw / Flickr
pasfam / Flickr
Take a one mile hike to reach the top of Bald Mountain, which will provide you with views of Rangelely and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, head back to Rangeley Lake State Park, to enjoy the grassy areas and swimming in Rangeley Lake.
Bald Mountain, Rangeley, ME 04964, USA
jackheddon / Flickr
This is your chance to try out the Appalachian Trail without actually committing to a grueling multi-month hike! Start at Katahdin Stream Campground and head south to Daicey Pond. From here head back using the Nature Trail, Tracy and Elbow Ponds Trail for a total of five miles. You can actually swim in all of the ponds along the way, but there’s a dock at Daicey Pond that’s perfect for getting in the water at Baxter State Park.
Daicey Pond, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04462, USA
gardenbeth / Flickr
Echo Lake, Maine, USA
jsmjr / Flickr
This hike is a bit more challenging than some of the rest. You’ll start from Echo Lake and climb the steel ladders of Beech Cliff Trail. From here take a look over the cliff to see the expanse of Acadia. Once you’ve had your fill, head down using the Canada Cliff Trail, which is a bit easier. Cool off at the sandy beach on Echo Lake.
michaelcr / Flickr
Scenic Schoodic Mountain is a bit bare at the top, but the views of the coastline are wonderful. You can even see as far as Acadia National Park on some days. Head back down to check out Schoodic Beach, a sandy area located on the shores of Donnell Pond. This three mile journey is easy on the legs and the reward is sweet.
Schoodic Mountain, East Hancock, ME 04634, USA
logicalrealist / Flickr
rwshea / Flickr
Head to Evans Notch in the White Mountain National Forest to take in the Caribou and Mud Brook trails. This will be about a five mile loop hike. Look to the west to see the peaks of the Carter-Moriah and Presidential ranges. Within all of this is Basin Pond, where you can also camp nearby.
White Mountain National Forest, Livermore, NH 03812, USA
qwrrty / Flickr
About two miles hiking will bring you to the observation tower at the top of Mount Blue, located within the largest State Park in Maine - Mount Blue State Park. From here you’ll see Tumbledown, Little and Big Jackson and Blueberry mountains. Then, head down to Webb Lake to enjoy a swim and picnic.
Mt. Blue State Park, 297 Center Hill Rd, Weld, ME 04285, USA
crashmaster / Flickr
Number Four Mountain, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04441, USA
jenpilot / Flickr
This beautiful hike in Maine is one of our favorites because the views afford a hint of what you’ll soon be enjoying. Once at the summit of Number Four Mountain, the views of Moosehead Lake, as well as Baker and Lily Bay mountains are beautiful. Hike four miles round-trip and then head towards a cooling dip at the beach area on Moosehead Lake in Lily Bay State Park.
For more fun in the summer, check out these awesome guided tours in Maine!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Maine July 21, 2022 Sarah M. What are some hikes for my Maine hiking bucket list? There’s nothing that quite compares to the hiking in Maine’s beautiful national park, a place that’s quite literally at the edge of the country, where you can be the first to experience the birth of a new day. Located in incredible Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain is a vision. The rocky features of the summit and the absolutely incredible views from the top are just a few of the reasons it’s regarded as the beautiful attraction in the country. The summit of the 1,529-foot mountain is accessible year-round, and is reached via the eponymous North Ridge Trail. Each season offers a different experience, from fall foliage to spring greenery and everything in between, making the rather steep ascent of the four-mile trek well-worth the effort (and tired muscles). Some other bucket-list worthy hikes in Maine include the Main Trail at the Barred Island Preserve, Bar Island Trail at Bar Island, the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail at Katahdin Iron Works State Park, and The Beehive Trail, another treasure of a trail that you’ll find at Acadia National Park! Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Maine? Absolutely! Have you ever been to Kezar Falls Gorge? Located along a short, sweet, and super scenic little trail, this is one of our favorite hidden waterfalls you can swim in, and one of the least visited waterfall swimming holes in Maine, so you might just have the place all to yourself! Another waterfall in Maine that you can swim in is the lovely swimming hole located along the Cataracts Trail, a 0.9-mile route in the Mahoosuc Public Reserved Lands near Newry. While the route itself is beautiful, it’s the waterfall we’re looking for and you won’t need to travel far to find it. After about a half-mile you’ll reach The Cataracts. While not the highest waterfall in the state, the water falls into a clear pool below perfect for a dip… and you might be the only one there, too!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Maine
July 21, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some hikes for my Maine hiking bucket list? There’s nothing that quite compares to the hiking in Maine’s beautiful national park, a place that’s quite literally at the edge of the country, where you can be the first to experience the birth of a new day. Located in incredible Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain is a vision. The rocky features of the summit and the absolutely incredible views from the top are just a few of the reasons it’s regarded as the beautiful attraction in the country. The summit of the 1,529-foot mountain is accessible year-round, and is reached via the eponymous North Ridge Trail. Each season offers a different experience, from fall foliage to spring greenery and everything in between, making the rather steep ascent of the four-mile trek well-worth the effort (and tired muscles). Some other bucket-list worthy hikes in Maine include the Main Trail at the Barred Island Preserve, Bar Island Trail at Bar Island, the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail at Katahdin Iron Works State Park, and The Beehive Trail, another treasure of a trail that you’ll find at Acadia National Park! Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Maine? Absolutely! Have you ever been to Kezar Falls Gorge? Located along a short, sweet, and super scenic little trail, this is one of our favorite hidden waterfalls you can swim in, and one of the least visited waterfall swimming holes in Maine, so you might just have the place all to yourself! Another waterfall in Maine that you can swim in is the lovely swimming hole located along the Cataracts Trail, a 0.9-mile route in the Mahoosuc Public Reserved Lands near Newry. While the route itself is beautiful, it’s the waterfall we’re looking for and you won’t need to travel far to find it. After about a half-mile you’ll reach The Cataracts. While not the highest waterfall in the state, the water falls into a clear pool below perfect for a dip… and you might be the only one there, too!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There’s nothing that quite compares to the hiking in Maine’s beautiful national park, a place that’s quite literally at the edge of the country, where you can be the first to experience the birth of a new day. Located in incredible Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain is a vision. The rocky features of the summit and the absolutely incredible views from the top are just a few of the reasons it’s regarded as the beautiful attraction in the country. The summit of the 1,529-foot mountain is accessible year-round, and is reached via the eponymous North Ridge Trail. Each season offers a different experience, from fall foliage to spring greenery and everything in between, making the rather steep ascent of the four-mile trek well-worth the effort (and tired muscles).
Some other bucket-list worthy hikes in Maine include the Main Trail at the Barred Island Preserve, Bar Island Trail at Bar Island, the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail at Katahdin Iron Works State Park, and The Beehive Trail, another treasure of a trail that you’ll find at Acadia National Park!
Are there any waterfall swimming holes in Maine?
Absolutely! Have you ever been to Kezar Falls Gorge? Located along a short, sweet, and super scenic little trail, this is one of our favorite hidden waterfalls you can swim in, and one of the least visited waterfall swimming holes in Maine, so you might just have the place all to yourself! Another waterfall in Maine that you can swim in is the lovely swimming hole located along the Cataracts Trail, a 0.9-mile route in the Mahoosuc Public Reserved Lands near Newry. While the route itself is beautiful, it’s the waterfall we’re looking for and you won’t need to travel far to find it. After about a half-mile you’ll reach The Cataracts. While not the highest waterfall in the state, the water falls into a clear pool below perfect for a dip… and you might be the only one there, too!
