On the rugged, rocky coast of Maine, Acadia National Park covers 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Offers salt water swimming, boat tours, bike rentals, bird watching, hiking, scenic drives, gift shop, wildlife viewing. Acadia has few sandy shores except for Sand Beach, where the sand mixes with are shells and the skeletons of marine life. Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open July and August, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; September and October, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lamoine State Park
23 State Park Road
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: 207-667-4778, seasonal

See Map

Oceanfront park offers easy access to Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and area lighthouses. Views of Frenchman’s Bay; camping, boating, and fishing. Facilities include picnic area; boat launching ramp; saltwater fishing pier; children’s playground, hot showers, flush toilets. Admission fee.

Roque Bluffs State Park
145 Schoppee Point Road
Roque Bluffs, ME 04654
Phone: 207-255-3475 (Park season

See Map

Day-use park offers swimming at a pebble beach on the ocean and a fresh water pond. Facilities include picnic tables, grills, changing rooms, restrooms, playground. Admission fee.

Shackford Head
Off State Route 190
Eastport, ME 04631
Phone: 207-941-4014

See Map

Park includes beaches, protected coves, and a bold headland. A hiking trail from the parking area through the woods to the rocky headland allows beautiful views of Cobscook Bay. Open year round, sunrise to sunset. No admission fee.

Swan Lake State Park
100 West Park Lane
Swanville, ME 04915
Phone: 207-525-4404 seasonal

See Map

Swimming area with lifeguards, picnic sites with grills and walking trails, toilets, changing facilities, private group shelter with volleyball, horseshoes, and a handicapped accessible toilet are available. Open 9 a.m.-sunset. Admission fee.

Swimming Holes

Swimming holes can be found in or near rock quarries, streams, gorges, and waterfalls. Most are pristine, uncrowded, and surrounded by beautiful woods and forests. For details, see the web site www.SwimmingHoles.info

AROOSTOOK top of listings

Aroostook State Park
87 State Park Road
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: 207-768-8341

See Map

Fresh water swimming on Echo Lake, off U.S. Route 1 south of Presque Isle. Lifeguards, shower house. Echo Lake is stocked with trout. Public boat access is available. Canoe and paddleboat rentals. Open year round. Admission fee.

Swimming Holes

AUGUSTA/KENNEBEC top of listings

Lily Bay State Park
Lily Bay Road (Beaver Cove)
Greenville, ME 04441
Phone: 207-695-2700, seasonal

See Map

Fresh water swimming at Moosehead Lake, two boat launch sites, shoreline hiking, two campgrounds. Open May 1 to October 15.

Penobscot River Corridor
106 Hogan Road
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: 207-941-4014

See Map

Water access recreation area 67 miles of river and 70 miles of lake frontage in Maine’s undeveloped forest region. Access through Millinocket or Greenville. Remote area, so trips require careful planning.

Swimming Holes

GREATER PORTLAND & CASCO BAY top of listings

Crescent Beach State Park
66 Two Lights Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Phone: 207-799-5871

See Map

Sand beach with salt water swimming; picnic area with tables and grills; playground; snack bar; bathhouse with cold water showers; pay phones; A group site with 15 picnic tables is available by reservation.

Swimming Holes

Willard Beach
South Portland, ME 04106

Willard Beach in South Portland is a mile-long stretch of sand next to the oceanfront campus of Southern Maine Technical College. Fine sand and gentle surf. Restrooms, lifeguards, parking.

MAINE HIGHLANDS top of listings

Peaks-Kenny State Park
Route 153
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
Phone: 207-564-2003

See Map

Fresh water beach on the shores of Sebec Lake in a 800-acre park. Lifeguard in season, restrooms, hot showers. Park also has 56 campsites and hiking. Open mid-May to October 1.

Swimming Holes

MID COAST top of listings

Birch Point State Park
South Shore Road
Owls Head, ME 04854
Phone: 207-941-4014, seasonal

See Map

Sand beach with salt water swimming in gentle surf with beautiful views of Penobscot Bay. No lifeguards. Picnicking and fishing.

Damariscotta Lake State Park
8 State Park Road
Jefferson, ME 04348
Phone: 207-549-7600, seasonal

See Map

Sand beach with fresh water swimming, lifeguard, shelter for groups, playing field, changing rooms, picnic tables and grills, playground. Short drive from Augusta. Admission fee.

Fort Point State Historic Site
Off U.S. Route 1
Stockton Springs, ME 04981
Phone: 207-941-4014

See Map

Located on the tip of a peninsula jutting into scenic Penobscot Bay, the park’s picnic area offers a water view, pier and floats for fishing and boating and paddling. The park features more than a mile of rocky shore and a tidal sandbar. Two-hundred-foot pier accommodates visitors arriving by boat. A short distance from the parking lot, visitors can eat at riverside picnic sites.

Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Cape Rosier
Brooksville, ME 04617
Phone: 207-326-4012

See Map

Pebbly beach on Smith Cove of Penobscot Bay, no lifeguard, launch for canoes and kayaks, open pit toilets, picnic area, walking trails, parking. No admission or parking fees.

Lake St. George State Park
Route 3
Liberty, ME 04949
Phone: 207-589-4255

See Map

Fresh water swimming area, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking. Boat and canoe rentals available. Open May 15 to October 1. Admission fee.

Moose Point State Park
310 West Main Street (U.S. Route 1)
Searsport, ME 04940
Phone: 207-548-2882 (In season) 207-941-4014 (Off season)

See Map

Wonderful, panoramic views of Penobscot Bay; picnic area; tidal pools. Admission fee.

Moseman Park
Searsport, ME 04974

Intimate park in the center of town near the water’s edge

Peacock Beach State Park
RR 1 (Box 2305)
Richmond, ME 04357
Phone: 207-582-2813, seasonal

See Map

Located on Pleasant Pond, about 12 miles from Augusta, this small beach and swimming area, with lifeguards, is an ideal spot for families.

Popham Beach State Park
10 Perkins Farm Lane (Route 209)
Popham Beach, ME 04562
Phone: 207-389-1335

See Map

Spacious sand beach is located on the south side of the mouth of the Kennebec River. Big rollers attract both swimmers and surfers. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. Swimmers should be wary of strong surf and rip tides and stay near lifeguards. Visitors can walk to Fox Island at low tide. Shell collecting is a popular pastime. Facilities include bathhouses, freshwater showers, picnic area with charcoal grills, trails.

Reid State Park
375 Seguinland Road
Georgetown, ME 04548
Phone: 207-371-2303

See Map

Salt water beach, bathhouses, showers, restrooms. Picnic areas with tables and grills, snack bars in season.

Swimming Holes

Thomas Point Beach
Meadow Road (off Route 24)
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-725-6009

See Map

Beautiful 85 acre Park overlooking Thomas Bay. Salt water swimming, picnicking, playground, snack bar, gift shop, camping area. Home of the Maine Highland Games and Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival.

SOUTH COAST top of listings

Cape Neddick Beach
Shore Road
Cape Neddick Village, ME 03903

See Map

Also known as Passaconaway Beach. Rocky beach, popular with local people. No facilities. Metered parking near the beach

Ferry Beach State Park
Bay View, ME 04072
Phone: 207-283-0067 207-624-6080 (Off season)

Miles of white sand beaches between the Saco River and Pine Point; swimming; changing room; picnic area. Admission fee charged.

Fortunes Rocks Beach
Fortunes Rocks Road
Biddeford, ME 04005

See Map

Popular salt water swimming beach, two miles long. Birdwatching nearby

Goose Rocks Beach
Granite Point Road
Kennebunkport, ME 04046

See Map

Salt water swimming beach with salt marsh and bird watching. Parking is limited

Kennebunk Beach
Kennebunk, ME 04043

Sand beach that is popular for swimming and surfing. Roadside parking. No services.

Long Sands Beach
Route 1A
York, ME 03903

See Map

Long, sandy beach on Route 1A, with section set aside for surfing. Popular with families. Lifeguards on duty during the summer, bathhouse, restrooms. Limited parking at meters along the road.

Moody Beach
Ocean Avenue
Moody, ME 04054
Phone: 207-646-2451

See Map

Popular salt water swimming beach.

Old Orchard Beach
Grand Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Phone: 207-934-2500

See Map

Salt water sandy beaches extend for seven miles. Facilities include amusement parks, ocean pier with accommodations, restaurants, and shops.

Peaks Island Beach
Peaks Island, ME 04108

Located on Peaks Island, a short ferry ride offshore from Portland. Long, rocky shore and tranquil beach, Spectacular vistas.

Swimming Holes

The Beaches of Ogunquit
Beach Street
Ogunquit, ME 03907
Phone: 207-646-2939

See Map

Ogunquit’s salt water beaches extend three miles and have three entrances. At the south is the main beach, accessible off Beach Street in downtown Ogunquit. The next beach to the north is the Footbridge Beach, off Borne Lane. The northernmost beach of Moody Beach. Parking and a trolley stop at each beach. Each of these entrances have parking and a trolley station stop.

Two Lights State Park
7 Tower Dr.
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Phone: 207-799-5871

See Map

Just right for visitors who enjoy the state’s legendary rocky coast. Sweeping views of Casco Bay and the open Atlantic. Picnic tables on the hills facing the ocean afford spectacular views of the ocean. Visitors can watch ships sailing into and out of Portland Harbor.

WESTERN LAKES/MOUNTAINS top of listings

Mount Blue State Park / Webb Beach
299 Center Hill Rd
Weld, ME 04285
Phone: 207-585-2347

See Map

Beautiful views of surrounding mountains ring this lakeside park, with its sandy beach, named Webb Beach, boat launch, picnic area, and camp grounds. Facilities include bathhouse; hot showers; flush toilets; amphitheater, and nature center. Extensive nature trails, open to hikers, mountain bikes, ATV, and horses. Admission fee.

Range Pond State Park
Poland Spring, ME 04274
Phone: 207-998-4104

A short drive from Lewiston and Auburn, Range Ponds State Park offers a wide sandy beach. Waterfront can be reached easily via the surfaced promenade that parallels the pond for 1000 feet immediately next to the beach.

Rangeley Lake State Park
South Shore Road
Rangeley, ME 04970
Phone: 207-864-3858

See Map

Fresh water beach with boat launch; picnic area; showers.

Sebago Lake State Park
11 Park Access Road
Casco, ME 04055
Phone: 207-693-6613

See Map

Day-use area with fresh water swimming features at extensive sand beaches, tables, grills, a boat ramp, lifeguards, and bathhouses; camping; restrooms; hot showers.

Swimming Holes