Crystal Lake Park
Harrison, Maine · on Crystal Lake
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15/hour
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Crystal Lake Park
Crystal Lake Park is a town-owned park at 20 Front Street in Harrison, Maine, managed by the Harrison Parks & Recreation Department, sitting on Crystal Lake near the village center. The swimming hole here is a well-tended one: the park includes a rentable gazebo and town-designated swim and boating areas that are sampled regularly for bacteria under Maine's recreational water quality program, with all recent tests passing, a reassuring record for a lake to swim in this close to town.
Crystal Lake (formerly called 'Anonymous Pond') is a 446-acre lake with a maximum depth of about 65 feet, located just north of Long Lake; it overflows into Long Lake through downtown Harrison, placing the park -- at 20 Front Street -- in a village lakeside setting rather than a remote or backcountry one.
Swimming at Crystal Lake Park
Official town water-quality reports identify multiple named recreational sites on Crystal Lake -- 'Crystal Lake Beach,' 'Crystal Lake (Day Beach),' and a separate 'Crystal Lake (Boat Launch)' -- all tested by the Paris Utility District Laboratory using the Colilert-18 method. The July 2026 report found E. coli counts of only 3-8 CFU/100mL, far under Maine's 235 CFU/100mL recreational-use limit, indicating the swim area was safe for recreational contact at the time of testing. The town's posted park rules confirm the beach is a dedicated swim area separate from the boat launch, and that animals are barred from the beach at all times. No official source found describes water depth, bottom composition, or the specific swimming experience in detail.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park's official address is 20 Front Street, Harrison, ME 04040, on the shore of Crystal Lake in downtown Harrison. No turn-by-turn driving directions from a nearby highway were found in any official source.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up town park at 20 Front Street in downtown Harrison village; the beach/lake access is at the park itself, not reached via any trail.
On the water
Town of Harrison recreational water-quality reports list 'Crystal Lake (Boat Launch)' as a sampling site distinct from 'Crystal Lake Beach' and 'Crystal Lake (Day Beach)', confirming a public boat launch exists on the lake separate from the swim area. No source states specific motor/horsepower limits or a no-wake rule. Hand-carry craft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are typically permitted at Maine public lake accesses like this one, but no source explicitly confirms rules for non-motorized watercraft at Crystal Lake, so they are left out of the confirmed 'allowed' list.
Backstory
Crystal Lake was formerly known as 'Anonymous Pond' before being renamed, per Wikipedia's entry on Harrison, Maine.
Crystal Lake Park: FAQ
Does Crystal Lake Park charge a fee?
No fee for general beach/swimming access was found. The park's on-site gazebo can be reserved through the Town of Harrison Parks & Recreation Department for $15/hour (resident/taxpayer) or $20/hour (non-resident), up to a 6-hour maximum, with payment due once a reservation is confirmed.
Do I need to hike to reach Crystal Lake Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Crystal Lake Park?
Official address is 20 Front Street, Harrison, ME 04040, in the downtown village, but no source describes a parking lot, roadside parking, or any fee for park visitors (only the separate gazebo rental fee is documented).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Crystal Lake Park?
Town of Harrison recreational water-quality reports list 'Crystal Lake (Boat Launch)' as a sampling site distinct from 'Crystal Lake Beach' and 'Crystal Lake (Day Beach)', confirming a public boat launch exists on the lake separate from the swim area. No source states specific motor/horsepower limits or a no-wake rule. Hand-carry craft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are typically permitted at Maine public lake accesses like this one, but no source explicitly confirms rules for non-motorized watercraft at Crystal Lake, so they are left out of the confirmed 'allowed' list.
What are the rules at Crystal Lake Park?
Per the Town of Harrison's posted park rules for Crystal Lake Park: no alcohol; no smoking or vaping; no grills inside the gazebo; animals must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach at any time; and users/renters must remove all trash after their visit or event.
What water body is Crystal Lake Park on?
Crystal Lake Park is on Crystal Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
