Best Lakes in Maine

What comes to mind when you think of Maine? Lobster, lighthouses, and the long rugged coastline covered in snow often top the list. But what about her lakes? Maine boasts over 6,000 landlocked bodies of water across the state. Unlike the rugged coast, these freshwater outposts tend to be less touristy, but no less idyllic. Maybe, in their welcoming solitude, even more so.

Moose and deer graze at the water’s edge. Fishing spots abound. Inland, water in Maine is much warmer than the frigid Atlantic, making swimming more palatable. Granite-topped mountains wind up from inlets, inviting hikers to claim a well-earned view from the summit. Here and there, cabins lay nestled modestly in evergreens along the shore. But don’t worry. If you’re here to get away from it all, there’s space.

Nature is boundless and beautiful around the thousands of lakes in the state. They like to say in Maine, “You can’t get they-ah from he-ah.” But you can. It just takes a bit of effort. Sitting at the edge of a serene lake at the end of a summer day, you’ll know. These Maine lakes are worth the trip.

1. Rangeley Lake

Rangeley Lake was named “Best lake in the country” by Travel + Leisure Magazine. A visit will prove it. Ideal for fishing, swimming, and boating, the relatively small lake draws adventurous locals and tourists alike, but it maintains solitude and relative anonymity situated in western Maine.

Solitary moose and black bears range freely in the area. Nearly 900 acres of Rangeley Lake State Park burst with color all year. Winter white snow sparkles against the backdrop of dark evergreens beneath clear winter moonlight. Shades of purple lupines line rocky shores in the spring. Beckoning blue water contrasts with forested hillsides all summer. New England is at its best on the vibrant tree-covered mountains encompassing Rangeley Lake in autumn.

Enjoy snowmobiling and skiing on nearby Saddleback when the weather turns cold. Take a scenic road trip around the region on Route 17, stopping for a quick swim at Small Falls or a photo op at Height of Land. If you’re feeling lucky, you can try panning for gold at Coos Canyon, or throw in a line for salmon or trout for more certain return for your time. But, in Rangeley, time matters less. Whenever you come, however long you stay, your memories will be worth every minute.

2. Mooselookmeguntic Lake

Though part of the beautiful Rangeley region, Mooselookmeguntic Lake deserves mention on its own. Sparkling clear pours through this Androscoggin River watershed, providing some of the best spawning ground for lake salmon and trout in the country. The pristine lake averages 60 feet deep but covers over 25 square miles. It is big, but access comes over the few winding roads that extend into western Maine, so it sees fewer visitors than the coast.

The name comes from native Abenaki for “Moose feeding place.” Even on the busiest of summer days, wildlife will probably be your closest neighbor in this quiet haunt. The Appalachian Trail runs alongside the area, heading to its endpoint at Mount Katahdin. Hunt, fish, camp, boat, and even swim in the cold water (if you’re serious about cooling down). This is THE lake if you appreciate rugged scenery, natural solitude, and great fishing all in one.

3. Moosehead Lake

Moosehead Lake is aptly named. There’s a high likelihood you’ll spot the antlers of this outsized herbivore rising from the water. From the air, the lake also has the two-pronged appearance of a moose silhouette.

The spectacular cliffs of Mount Kineo (accessible only by boat) rise over 700 feet at the edge. The mountain gained a reputation as a source of unique flint rock. Many ancient spearheads, arrowheads, and tools across the eastern U.S. can be traced back to Kineo flint. An old fire lookout tower at the top provides clear 360 degree views. Mount Katahdin, the tallest peak in the state, rises to the northeast. Maine’s largest lake covers 75,000 acres and runs 40 miles long.

Henry David Thoreau referred to the area fondly, but “more grim and wild than expected.” Hire a registered Maine guide to navigate the untamed space for the best hunting, fishing, and exploring. To find a beach, go to Lily Bay State Park on the eastern side. Dark sand and smooth pebbles welcome swimmers to cool off. Picnic tables and grills sit under dappled pine shade.

In the winter, claim a spot for ice fishing, watch the dog sled races, or carve a few ski trails down Big Squaw Mountain. The quaint town of Greenville on the southern tip is an idyllic jumping-off place to begin adventuring around Moosehead.

4. Sebago Lake

Sebago Lake in Cumberland County is very clean, clear, and offers lots to do in the foothills of the White Mountains north of Portland. Second largest after Moosehead, but the deepest – some spots in Sebago reach 300 feet down. Wind can whip up whitecaps, but several inlets along the coast provide protected beach space and wooded areas right down to the edge.

Mature white pines and old-growth deciduous trees act as quiet sentinels. You can find swimming at many spots around the coast, such as Songo Beach in Sebago Lake State Park on the north side. The gentle sandy area welcomes all ages, plus they provide picnic tables, grills, and ample space for wildlife.

Tassel Top Beach in Raymond is a 35-mile stretch of soft sand with all the amenities on hand. Join the fortunate students and faculty at St. Joseph’s College of Maine, which owns a large piece of beachfront on the eastern side of the lake. Frye Island, Maine’s newest town as of 1998, is accessible only by ferry. For locals and tourists of southern Maine, a visit to Sebago is a must on every summer to-do list.

5. Echo Lake

Echo Lake, in popular Acadia National Park, is a 2-mile wide freshwater pond that lies on the quieter southwestern side of Mount Desert Island. Still, Croched Pond, as it is also known, beckons many families throughout the summer. A wide, shallow sandy beach area provides ample space to sunbathe and splash under the watchful eye of a lifeguard. The water, no deeper than 66 feet at any point, is significantly warmer than heavily-visited Sand Beach (where the Atlantic current flows from the north).

Beech Mountain forms a picturesque backdrop to the quiet pond where motorboats over 10 horsepower are prohibited. Well-maintained trails begin at the parking area and invite hikers to work up a sweat wandering the gorgeous surrounding mountain terrain. Or hop on the Island Explorer Bus that makes regular stops at various trailheads and Park destinations. Brook trout abound if you want to throw in a line. After some exercise and a pleasant dip, head over to the bustling seaside town of Bar Harbor for a stroll through the downtown shops and restaurants. You can even try some blueberry or lobster ice cream at Ben and Bill’s to round out your Maine coast experience!

6. Jordan Pond

Visitors to Acadia National Park should make Jordan Pond a stop on their island itinerary. The glacially-formed lake covers nearly 190 acres, and the rugged shore is a bit more than 3 ½ miles around. Park at the Jordan Pond House, one of the highest-rated national park restaurants, where you can enjoy a delightful afternoon tea with fresh popovers and a lobster stew as you gaze across the water toward North and South Bubble Mountain.

Take a leisurely stroll of the loop around the lake over boardwalks and well-kept paths. More strenuous hikes or biking on the car-free carriage roads of the surrounding park area offer breathtaking vistas of the popular coastal park, Pemetic and Penobscot Mountains, and the Bubbles. You can’t swim in this protected water supply for nearby Seal Harbor, but kayaks and canoes are welcome on the pristine water, and salmon and trout abound.

7. Webb Lake

Webb Lake at Mount Blue State Park has it all. Nestled between Tumbledown Mountain, Mount Blue, and Little Jackson Mountain, the lake provides cozy summer respite from the bustling coast of Maine. But it’s no less gorgeous. Not more than 20 feet deep at any point across its 7-mile expanse, the water warms up invitingly for swimmers. Miles of hiking trails can challenge or satisfy every level of ability.

If you opt for a rigorous climb up Tumbledown, you can cool off with a dip in the mountaintop pond. Or climb up 3,000 foot Mount Blue to see for miles. Webb Lake, at their base, offers both adventure and rest. Kayak, canoe, fish, hike, or simply sit shoreside with a good book and cup of coffee. In winter, ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and skating on the lake are delightful pastimes. You can even find a heated yurt to warm up on the shore. Enjoy life the way it should be – in every season, in western Maine.

8. Sebec Lake

Rugged Sebec Lake in central Maine boasts a 500-foot natural sand beach, a rarity for the state. Granite-capped Borestone Mountain towers 2,000 feet behind it. The beach is 5-6 miles north of Dover-Foxcroft and less than an hour north of Bangor.

Peaks Kenny State Park on the southern side may be the best family camping spot in the state due to the long sandy beach, lovely picnic areas, clean bathrooms, a playground, rentable canoes, and well-placed campsites under the trees at the edge of the lake. Hiking trails surround the rocky and wooded lakeside. You can access several boat launches around the lake. The Highlands region draws natives looking for a day in the wilds, and visitors spending their vacation in a cabin with a view.

The Appalachian Mountain Club 100 Mile Wilderness extends north from the lake area, promising breathtaking vistas, untouched nature, and a chance to connect with your wild side – without straying more than an hour from civilization.

9. Belgrade Lakes

The Belgrade Lakes Region is more of a pond collective than a specific body of water. They are a string of lakes above Augusta that provide space for lots of outdoor activities and a breath of fresh air not far from the capital city. East, North, Great, Long, and Messalonski (perhaps they ran out of adjectives?) hop from one to another as well as to several smaller ponds and tributaries.

E.B. White spent his summers at the edge of Great Pond, which must have influenced the colorful descriptions of seasons he included in his books. Ernest Thompson, who wrote the drama On Golden Pond that starred Henry Fonda and Katherin Hepburn, set the story on his summers in Belgrade.

Brown trout outnumber the salmon and other trout in the relatively shallow warm waters. You can rent a boat at several local outfitters. You can motor up to the restaurant dock at the eponymously-named town of Belgrade Lakes between Long and Great Pond. There, The Village Inn is famous for its slow-roasted duck. It’s an appropriate meal for visitors to the longstanding lakeside bistro. Mailboats deliver daily to the summer residences around Great Pond. Rent a lakeside cabin, or stop by for a day of fun – without straying too far off the beaten path.

10. Megunticook Lake

Megunticook Lake isn’t the biggest or grandest of Maine’s freshwater offerings. But it is easy to access, close to lots of homey shops, and surrounded by short hiking excursions with delicious views. You can enjoy the gorgeous scenery at the ocean’s edge in Camden or Lincolnville, then head a few miles inland to jump in this much warmer swimming spot. The long winding lake offers many inlets to enjoy the serenity, throw in a line to chance for some bass, or find an inviting place to wade in the gentle water.

Only locals seem to know about Barrett’s Cove, a town-owned sandy beach in Camden. A grassy picnic area surrounds the beach, and there are restrooms, a playground, and even a rock climbing area open to the community. Maiden’s Cliff stands watchfully in the background, inviting hikers to her summit. A long peninsula juts into the lake from Lincolnville on the north end. Hike through the area, known as Fernald’s Neck Preserve, and you’ll discover some of the best swimming spots in the state.

The outgoing river sports Megunticook Falls, a delightful easily-accessible waterfall flowing right through the center of town. Picnic at this idyllic spot after a day hike up one of the Camden Hills overlooking the ocean. Wander the delightful downtown shops. Snap a photo from behind the old stone library overlooking the harbor. Bucket-list worthy. But then, a day at any lake in Maine probably is.

11. Damariscotta Lake

The meandering coastline of Damariscotta Lake outlines 21 miles on the edge of 3 towns in the midcoast region. It flows into the brackish water in the Damariscotta River on the southern end. On the north, Damariscotta Lake State Park has a popular sandy beach and shady picnic space open throughout the year.

Ice fishing huts dot the lake in the winter. Visitors in the fall enjoy photo-worthy sights at every inlet. Eagles return predictably to the same nests every spring. You can boat, fish, swim – or all three – on a summer day on this scenic lake.

An Abenaki word meaning “plenty of alewives” gave Damariscotta its name. The area has a long reputation for the specific migratory ocean fish that return to freshwater lakes to spawn. Plan a trip in mid-May for the unique opportunity to see the working fish ladder in action. More than 1,000,000 alewives make the annual jump up from pond to pond at Damariscotta Mills to lay eggs in the freshwater lake before heading back to the salt bay. A multitude of hungry birds and seals attend as well as onlookers.

The rest of the summer is less crowded along the irregular coastline of this beautiful New England lake. Loons call, fish jump. Friends laugh. Memories made at the edge of a Maine lake are timeless. Here’s to many more of them.