Hancock County boasts many serene and pristine ponds and lakes to take a refreshing wade or dip in. Each has unique scenic assets, whether spruce-clad islets or decorative pickerel weed gracing the shore. Access to public facilities at these freshwater bodies ranges widely. Some have a beach while swimming is from rocks at others. Many have parking areas right at the shore while some involve a short walk. Most are not tended by lifeguards and may not have toilet facilities. The following ponds and lakes are ones that we recommend for their easy access and natural beauty.

P — Parking available TF — Toilet facilities available
LG — Lifeguards on duty PG — Playground

Bar Harbor
Sand Beach, Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, P LG & TF
Lakewood
Route 3, Hulls Cove, Operated by Acadia National Park, P TF
Blue Hill
Peters Cove. Route 176, East Blue Hill
Brooklin
Naskeag Beach, Naskeag Point Road, P
Brooksville
Holbrook Island State Park & Sanctuary, Indian Bar Road, Harborside, P TF
Castine
Sand Beach, Wadsworth Cove Road, P
Ellsworth
Branch Pond, Christian Ridge Road, Mill Dam Road, P TF
Franklin
Georges Pond, Georges Pond Road, P
Tunk Lake, Route 182, P TF
Gouldsboro
Jones Pond, Route 195, P TF & PG
Lamoine
Lamoine Beach State Park, Lamoine Beach Road, P TF
Mount Desert
Pond’s End, Long Pond, Route 102, Somesville P TF
Orland
Alamoosook Lake, Hatchery Road (near Craig Brook Fish Hatchery), P TF
Craig’s Pond Beach, Hatchery Road, P TF
Sullivan
Flanders Pond, Route 183, P TF
Donnell Pond, Route 183, P
Surry
The Carrying Place Beach, Newbury Neck Road, P