Swimming Holes and Waterfalls Near Acadia & Bar Harbor
This list leans swim-first for Acadia and Bar Harbor trip planning, then adds a few short waterfall walks that sit inside the same island driving loop.
Park passes, seasonal closures, and cold surf change the day fast — use the map to judge drive order, then open each guide for posted swim rules and realistic wading depth. For statewide Maine swim picks, see best Maine swimming holes.
#1 Echo Lake Beach (Acadia NP) — Mount Desert
Freshwater stop in Mount Desert, Lifeguard season at Echo Lake. fee park . official NPS swimming page. Public and Limited…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#2 Sand Beach (Acadia NP) — Mount Desert
Freshwater stop in Mount Desert, Cold water. surf on some days . lifeguard limited season. park fee. Natural swim access and…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#3 The Bowl (Acadia NP) — Mount Desert
Freshwater stop in Mount Desert, Glacial pond off Gorham Mountain / Bowl Trail. swimming allowed where posted . verify NPS…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical
#4 Schoodic Point (Acadia) — Winter Harbor
Swimming hole in Winter Harbor, Acadia Schoodic District . rugged surf. not a calm swimming hole. safety first. Natural swim…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 0-10 min typical
#5 Lakewood — Bar Harbor
Freshwater stop in BAR HARBOR, Maine. Natural swim access and Limited parking.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 0-15 min typical
#6 Hadlock Falls — Mount Desert
Waterfall in Mount Desert, Maine. Natural access and Roadside or trailhead parking.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#7 Bubble Brook Falls — Bar Harbor
Waterfall in Bar Harbor, Maine. Natural access and Roadside pull-off, trailhead lot, or informal shoulder parking.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#8 Duck Brook Falls — Bar Harbor
Waterfall in Bar Harbor, Maine. Natural access and Roadside or trailhead parking.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#9 Chasm Brook Falls — Bar Harbor
Waterfall in Bar Harbor, Maine. Natural access and Roadside or trailhead parking.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical
#10 Man of War Brook Falls — Mount Desert
Waterfall in Mount Desert, Maine. Natural access and Roadside pull-off, trailhead lot, or informal shoulder parking.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-25 min typical