Sunday River Swimming Hole
Newry, Maine · on Eames Brook
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Local spot, unofficial
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Sunday River Swimming Hole
This point sits directly on Sunday River Road in Newry, Maine, about 0.6 miles upstream (west) of the Outward Bound Maine campus, matching the location the Lewiston Sun Journal and Sunday River Resort describe as 'The Letter S,' one of three informal places to swim (with Frenchman's Hole and Honey Hole) along the Sunday River near the ski resort. It is a river-bend swimming hole with a sandy bottom, promoted by the resort itself as a local summer swimming destination.
The spot lies along the Sunday River in the mountain valley below Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, in Maine's western lakes-and-mountains region, with Sunday River Road running alongside the river and the Outward Bound Maine wilderness school campus just downstream.
Swimming at Sunday River Swimming Hole
Described by Sunday River Resort as a river bend long enough to swim laps in, with a sandy bottom and rock areas alongside for sitting or picnicking, a calmer, more swimmable stretch compared to the cliff-jumping at nearby Frenchman's Hole or the small waterfalls at Honey Hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Route 2 in Bethel, turn onto Sunday River Road toward Sunday River Ski Resort and continue several miles (staying right at forks); the Letter S is described as the first stop on the left-hand side of Sunday River Road, before the road's bridges, upstream of the Outward Bound Maine campus at 1081 Sunday River Road.
Parking: Informal roadside pull-off on the left side of Sunday River Road; no developed lot.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up/roadside access: the swimming area is reached by a short walk (roughly 0.1 mi, rated easy) from the roadside pull-off on Sunday River Road, not a formal trailhead hike.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy river-bend bottom and calm lap-swimming stretch make it more forgiving than the cliff-jumping/waterfall spots nearby (Frenchman's Hole, Honey Hole), but the water is cold even in summer, the streambed has slippery/variable rocks, there is no lifeguard, and current speeds up and clarity drops after rain.
Parking
Free
Informal pull-off on the left-hand side of Sunday River Road (the first stop before the road's bridges, upstream of the Outward Bound Maine campus). No developed lot; visitors are cautioned to respect posted resort and private-property signs and not block driveways or access roads.
Restrooms
None on site
No restroom facilities identified at this informal roadside spot; nearest developed facilities would be at Sunday River Resort or businesses in Bethel.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
Described as clear mountain-stream water in settled/dry weather, but tannic (tea-colored) and faster-moving after rain, consistent across the resort's own site and an area swimming-hole aggregator.
On the water
No source found describing kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or motorboat use at this specific spot; it is a shallow, rocky river-bend swimming area, not typically described as a paddling put-in. Treat watercraft use here as undetermined rather than confirmed allowed or prohibited.
Rentals nearby
Kayak, canoe, and river-tube rentals for guided/self-guided trips on the Androscoggin River (not the Sunday River itself)
121 Mayville Road, Bethel, Maine 04217, roughly 5 miles from the Sunday River swimming spots per the business's own site; trips depart from West Bethel (shorter trip) or Gilead, Maine (longer trip)
Backstory
In September 2024 the Lewiston Sun Journal reported that Newry was pursuing a FEMA grant for Sunday River erosion mitigation, noting that the Letter S swimming hole area upstream had sustained bank damage in recent storms, with the town's Code Enforcement Officer indicating dedicated mitigation there could come a few years after work planned near the Outward Bound reach.
Sunday River Swimming Hole: FAQ
Is Sunday River Swimming Hole kid friendly?
Sandy river-bend bottom and calm lap-swimming stretch make it more forgiving than the cliff-jumping/waterfall spots nearby (Frenchman's Hole, Honey Hole), but the water is cold even in summer, the streambed has slippery/variable rocks, there is no lifeguard, and current speeds up and clarity drops after rain.
Do I need to hike to reach Sunday River Swimming Hole?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Sunday River Swimming Hole?
Informal pull-off on the left-hand side of Sunday River Road (the first stop before the road's bridges, upstream of the Outward Bound Maine campus). No developed lot; visitors are cautioned to respect posted resort and private-property signs and not block driveways or access roads.
When is the best time to visit Sunday River Swimming Hole?
Summer, when river flow is lower; flow and water clarity noted to increase and worsen after rain.
What water body is Sunday River Swimming Hole on?
Sunday River Swimming Hole is on Eames Brook, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
