Summer
Swimming & Beaches
Swimming is one of the great pleasures of a Moosehead summer. The lake stays clear, deep, and cool, warming into the mid-70s at the height of the season. Closest to home, Red Cross Beach is tucked into the woods at Center Cove in Greenville, a calm, sandy shoreline with a roped swim area and a lifeguard during posted summer hours, plus a playground, pavilions, and walking and bike trails added in a recent revitalization.
A short drive opens up more. Lily Bay State Park in Beaver Cove, about nine miles north of town, has a gentle sandy beach with a playground, picnic areas, and restrooms, ideal for families (a day-use fee applies). Over in Greenville Junction, the public Wharf has a small lakeside beach and playground, with restrooms open from May through September.
Some of the finest swimming rewards those who travel by water. Beloved Pebble Beach, tucked behind Mt. Kineo, is reachable only by boat or the Kineo shuttle, its smooth, sun-warmed stones sloping into clear water. Cruise a little farther and the shoreline unfolds into dozens of hidden beaches: quiet sandbars off Farm Island, small sun-baked sandy crescents, and secluded pebbly coves in Lily Bay and Spencer Bay, many tucked away from prying eyes where you can drop anchor and have the water almost to yourself.
There are no lifeguards out on the open lake, so keep a close eye on children, watch for boat traffic, and check the weather before you head out.
Local resources
- Red Cross Public BeachCenter Cove, GreenvilleIn-town sandy beach with a summer lifeguard, playground, pavilions, and trails.
- Lily Bay State Park425 Lily Bay Rd, Beaver Cove(207) 695-2700Gentle sandy swim beach with playground, picnic areas, and restrooms; day-use fee.
- Mt. Kineo & Pebble BeachMount Kineo, RockwoodSandy and pebbly pockets near the shuttle landing and behind Kineo, by boat or shuttle.
- Greenville Junction WharfJunction Wharf Rd, Greenville JunctionLakeside beach and playground with restrooms open May through September.
- Monson Public BeachBlanchard Rd, MonsonRocky beach on nearby Lake Hebron with floats to swim out to and jump from.