The Ultimate Guide to 8 of Maine’s Best Swimming Holes
If you love Maine, hiking, and swimming - this is for you!
Difficulty is sourced from the collective AllTrails community
The list is in no particular order
Oh, and if you make it to the bottom, there’s a surprise…Let’s dive in! (pun intended)👇
1. Tumbledown Pond on Tumbledown Mountain
Location: Weld, Maine (Highlands region)
Trail: Brook Trail
Distance: 4.7 miles (Out & Back)
Difficulty: Hard
Trailkeeper: Tumbledown Conservation Alliance
More info: TUMBLEDOWN CONSERVATION ALLIANCE – Conserving Land for the Community
2. Gulf Hagas (The Grand Canyon of Maine - a hidden gem in the Appalachian Mountains)
Location: Northeast Piscataquis, Maine
Trail: Gulf Hagas Rim Trail and Pleasant River Tote
Distance: 8.6 mile (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Appalachian Mountain Club 100 Mile Wilderness Conservation Area
More info: Outdoor Adventures, Lodging, Conservation | Appalachian Mountain Club (outdoors.org)
* Pro Tip: hike 4.5 miles to Screw Auger Falls instead for a similar experience in the same area (with a lot less hiking)
3. Rattlesnake Pool (Blueberry Mountain)
Location: Stow, Maine (White Mountain National Forest)
Trail: White Cairn to Stone House Trail
Distance: 4.3 mile (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: White Mountain National Forest
More info: White Mountain National Forest - Hiking:Day Hiking (usda.gov)
*Pro Tip: Go straight to the pool, about 1 mile from the parking lot!
4. Coos Canyon
Location: Byron, Maine (within the Swift River)
Trail: Right off Route 17 Scenic Highway
Distance: No hike needed!
Difficulty: Easy
*Pan for gold, swim, jump, relax, enjoy this hidden gem in Rangeley!
5. Ledge Falls Pools (Baxter State Park)
Location: Millinocket, Maine
Trail: No hike needed!
Distance: Nestled in Baxter State Park
Difficulty: Easy
Find directions here: Ledge Falls - Township 4, Range 10, Maine (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
*Swim, jump, take pictures, fish, and feed all of your natural waterfall needs at this beautiful spot!
For more - article coming soon - Maine’s Best Waterfalls!
6. Schoodic Beach (the perfect summer hike in Maine)
Location: Sullivan, Maine
Trail: Schoodic Mountain (Acadia National Park)
Distance: 2.5 mile (Loop)
Difficulty: Hard
Trailkeeper: Donell Pond Public Reserved Land
More info: State Parks and Public Lands: Maine ACF - Search Results
*Tag @MaineHikes or #MaineHikes on Instagram if you do this hike!
7. Katahdin Lake and Martin Ponds (Baxter State Park)
Location: Millinocket, Maine
Trail: Martin Ponds and Katahdin Lake Loop
Distance: 7.3 mile (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Baxter State Park
More info: Hiking – Baxter State Park
*If you're looking to use a cool swim as a reward for your hard work during your hike in Baxter, this is the one.
8. Salmon Pond, Little Long Pond, and Mud Pond
Location: Hancock County, Maine
Trail: Hidden Ponds Loop and Tunk Mountain
Distance: 4.4 miles (out and back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Donell Pond Public Reserved Land
More info: State Parks and Public Lands: Maine ACF - Search Results
*All on the way to the summit of Tunk Mountain you'll be rewarded with 3 ponds on this beautiful Maine hike.
Tag us in your Instagram posts @MaineHikes or #MaineHikes
Happy hiking!
P.s., you made it to the surprise 👇
