Rocks and Water: Rock Climbing and Swimming Holes in Byron Maine

If you love the great outdoors, you’ll love Western Maine. Summer in Maine is a paradise for nature lovers looking for an escape. The frozen lakes of winter become havens from the summer heat and mountains too dangerous to climb in the snow are prime for climbing and bouldering. If you are looking for an adventure full of rock climbing and swimming- there’s no better place to go than Byron Maine. Here’s how to plan your trip to Byron, Maine.

What You’ll Need

It’s no secret that rock climbing is a dangerous hobby; that’s part of the appeal. The sense of accomplishment you get when you conquer a new peak is an adrenaline rush like no other! Wild swimming also has some recommended equipment to keep you safe in the water (more on this later). Whether you are hanging on the rocks or splashing in the water, here are some of the supplies you should pack before you go on your Maine adventures.

Climbing

Different climbing techniques require different gear, so this list may vary depending on your chosen methods. However, some of the basics will remain the same. Those include:

• 
  Climbing shoes
• Chalk bag and chalk
• Belay device
• Climbing Harness
• Climbing Rope
• Quickdraws and/or Alpine Draws
• Climbing Helmet
• Cams and Nuts and Nut Tool
• Crash Pad
• Water
• Climbing backpack (to carry all your supplies!)

Other recommended items include:

• 
  Anchoring system and supplies
• Follower Pack (to drag your supplies behind you)
• Finger tape or gloves
• First aid kit
• Hand salve
• Approach shoes
• Walkie Talkies
• Backup safety gear - it never hurts to be prepared

For a full list of climbing gear, check out this climbing checklist from Switch Back Travel! Remember to always climb with a buddy or group and never climb without your safety equipment. Safety should always be your priority.

Swimming

Swimming in natural bodies of water, often called “wild swimming”, can technically be done with just swim trunks and a towel, but that’s only recommended in highly populated areas with slow-moving water. If you are going off-trail to test new waters, there are some important supplies to keep you safe. Those include:

• 
  Swim trunks or cold water wetsuit
• Swim tow or safety buoy
• Swimming shoes
• Goggles
• Towel 
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Fresh drinking water
• Change of clothes
• First aid kit

The important thing to remember about wild swimming is that there are a lot of unknowns. You don’t know the water temperature, the speed of the water’s flow, or any debris that may be hiding under the surface. The biggest threats to your safety with wild swimming include body temperature regulation, strong currents, sharp objects in the shallows, and unexpected debris. Just like with rock climbing, you should never go swimming alone.

The Best Swimming Holes and Climbing Spots

Coos Canyon

Right off Highway 17, there’s a cute little bridge over a stunning gorge. With smooth rocks and beautiful green waters, this swimming hole in Byron Maine is a picturesque place to take a dip. For new wild swimmers, this hole is the perfect place to start. Though part of the Swift River, the waters here are relatively calm. Being close to the highway, it’s easy to access, and this part of the canyon is one of the best places to pan for gold in the United States!

Now that you know what to pack, we can start talking about where to go. Lucky for you, some of the best places to swim near Bryon are also the best rock climbing spots, and vice versa. Western Maine is full of beautiful locations for exploring, but we are particularly fond of the following locations:

Tumbledown Mountain and Tumbledown Pond

Talk about the perfect rock and water combo! The 700-foot cliffs and 22-foot deep pond are the perfect pair for a day outdoors. The mountain is not a true Alpine mountain, but it’s definitely more than a simple hike. Tumbledown Mountain has 3 distinct peaks to explore. After your climb, enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pond that awaits you.

Small Falls

If you are looking for a spot that offers varying levels of adventure, Small Falls is the place for you. This series of waterfalls flows into the Sandy River in Franklin and offers falls of various heights. A stunning sight to see, these falls offer water to swim in and chutes to climb close to the road. What more could you ask for?

Mount Blue

If you are looking for some of the best sights in Western Maine, you should climb Mount Blue. The summit offers stunning panoramic views of the Weld area any time of the year. While not the tallest mountain in the region, it is one of the best-known. This mountain is better known for its hiking, but there are several opportunities to climb for the more adventurous at heart.

Four Ponds Public Lands

Why not add a part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to your trip by visiting the Four Ponds Public Lands? The Appalachian Trail runs close to ME-17, traveling up and over Spruce Mountain. Although the trail does get rocky at points, it’s the ponds that get them added to this list. With a scenic walk and Four Ponds to swim, we couldn’t leave it out.

Old-fashioned exploration and word of mouth are some of the best ways to find the perfect spot for a climb and a swim. However, if you are nervous about plunging into the unknown and don’t know anyone in the area, resources like The Mountain Project and swimmingholes.org are also helpful resources.

Stay at Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins

The best way to experience Western Maine is to immerse yourself in the environment by camping under the stars. At Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins, we offer pristine wilderness for you to enjoy and explore! Whether you are coming to climb, swim, camp, or gold pan, our beautiful grounds will be the “Maine” attraction. Reserve your site now!