The trail itself has a gradual incline over the course of the 1.15 miles to get to the top. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Coos Canyon This geologically unique area is known by prospectors around New England as a place to pan or sluice for gold. 3,769 notes. Conveniently, it is right beside Route 17, south of Rangeley. There are a few steeper sections near the top, but completely manageable even for a beginner. Coos Canyon, on the Swift River in Byron, is a free roadside swimming area created by erosion. River swimming holes tend to have one of the highest collections of garbage of anywhere on a national forest, or BLM land, that is used for recreation. Looking for that natural swimming hole. However, what might be more interesting than gold, are the metamorphic rock formations that make up the canyon walls. Welcome to Private Retreat at River's Edge, your personal hideaway in the Western foothills of Maine. "The canyon is considered one of the premier swimming holes in the U.S.," according to an AP caption. Coos Canyon is right off of route 17 in Byron, ME. Be careful though because once you get below the falls it is more difficult to get out of the canyon. It can sometimes be slippery to access, so exercise extreme caution when heading in. The Swift River is full of GOLD. Swimming Holes in the Bethel, Maine area - Duration: 1:37. Spend 10 minutes or all day! Pretty but locals say finding gold here is very hard, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Rangeley, Rangeley Lake State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Mooselookmeguntic Lake: Tickets & Tours‎, Cascade Stream Gorge Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Rangeley Lakes Trails Center: Tickets & Tours‎, Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust: Tickets & Tours‎, Hunter Cove Wildlife Sanctuary: Tickets & Tours‎, Maine Forestry Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, South Bog Interpretive Trail: Tickets & Tours‎. Via magdalenawosinska.com. Coos Canyon can be found just off of Route 17 scenic highway. You can even try your hand at panning for gold, first discovered here in the 1840s. Cory Freeman grew up jumping into the water he estimates is 20 feet deep in places. along the way locals warned us that most of the areas where you can still find gold have been closed off. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. There are great photo ops, swimming holes, picnic areas along with a sub and gift shop at this great waterfall and canyon. The swimming area is a deep area within the Swift River and is nestled between two fairly steep sections of rock. You will find this hot spot to fit all ages. We stopped for a break to get out of the car. Russell Norris dives into the chilly Swift River at Coos Canyon in Byron, Maine. 5 2017. Just below the falls there is a cool rock overhang that you can sit under (in the water). Coos Canyon 472 Swift River Rd Byron ME 04275. So there are steep cliffs, pools to swim and … Also in Western Maine lies Coos Canyon, Byron's Happy Gorge conveniently set off the road to Rangeley (Route 17). Cape Arago: One of three state parks south of Coos Bay, rugged Cape Arago is the end of the road (U.S. 101 continues south inland). Me doing a gainer off Coos Canyon, Maine. I know - not as cool or fun but we still had a blast and still had fun exploring the river and rocks just for fun. C – Coos Canyon, Byron For century upon century, the Swift River has etched and chipped away at the granite bedrock, creating Coos Canyon. There are three natural swimming holes in front of the park, and waterfalls above and below that. Google Maps. Get directions, reviews and information for Coos Canyon in Byron, ME. There is a gold mining store across the highway that has good coffee and the cashier was very helpful with directions to local outdoor attractions. As a boy he even dreamed of becoming a professional cliff diver before he discovered that the paper mill offered more immediate employment. Coos Canyon: Great cool off spot - See 73 traveller reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. A gorgeous wild swimming hole in Vernon, New York is located within only a short minute walk from the park. Fifty feet or so down river there is a waterfall , and you can either head down below the falls and swim the more calm waters past the falls. Small town along our route with a beautiful waterfall course that is right on the highway. Coos Canyon is a beautiful, natural gorge along the Swift River. Cliff jumping/diving into an icy cold river! Follow the numerous trails along the river back to the parking lot. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A curiously carved canyon of potholes and smoothed rocks. Dine on an island Search. The roadside picnic area makes this a great lunch stop. Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs by Sam Klein. It is a popular swimming and picnicking area, with waterfalls and swim holes. Great little riverside campground and store to set you up with all you need for a family adventure panning for real gold. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. We run this site in our free time to document our travels, and to share them with people who like outdoor swimming. In fact, the drive to reach it is almost as beautiful as the falls themselves. If the water's flowing high enough (but not too swift) dare to take a jump off one of the many rock faces into the water- I did! Great little park, good for lunch and people watching. Here Are 11 Maine Swimming Holes That Will Make Your Summer Epic. If you know of any other such deaths, please send me an email at gparsons66@hotmail.com so that I can add them to this list. It then quickly shallows out, making it a perfect swimming spot even for kids. Great place to stop and just walk around too. Coos Canyon: Campground has gone WAY downhill - See 75 traveler reviews, 44 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. My goal is to try to keep this list as complete and up-to-date as possible. Angel Falls, Rangeley. A curiously carved canyon of potholes and smoothed rocks. It has remained one of my favorite places on earth, and I've driven considerable distances to visit on several occasions. It is very picturesque and worth stopping for if you do not have to go out of your way. There is also a convenience store across the street and grills for lunch. It is just feet off of route 17 and a great place to cool off on a summer day or break up the ride to the beautiful Rangeley lakes region. #unknown #swimming holes. 17, about 14 miles north of Rumford. Access to the canyon is from the parking area adjacent Route 17 on Byron. There are several spots for some smaller cliff jumping (up to 20 or so feet) both above and below the falls, but make sure you check the depth before you jump as there are a lot of shallow spots and the river fluctuates wildly in depth. You certainly won't get stuck in the canyon but the rocks are steeper and can be slippery with wet feet so use caution. LIST OF WATERFALL/SWIMMING HOLE DEATHS Here is a list of all known waterfall and swimming hole-related fatalities in New England. We offer free hands-on demonstrations to teach how to pan for and find gold on your own. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. On Monday night, about 50 registered voters packed the town meeting, held in a one-room schoolhouse heated by a wood stove and overlooking Coos Canyon, a popular swimming hole. Me doing a gainer off Coos Canyon, Maine. The falls aren't that big or tall, and the falls… The real stuff. Nice area, can see the canyon from the parking lot. With ample views and sounds of song birds and wildlife. It can be six inches deep in one spot and drop off to ten feet directly next to it so be careful. We took the Brook Trail up to the summit (which passes by the alpi... Start at parking-place, make it to the top and chose a route to hike back down. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The 500-yard gorge is set along the Swift River and is easily accessible, located just off Route 17. i heart swimming holes. See/Swim was created by two artists to map access to land, and to help people feel connected with their surroundings. We stopped at Coos Canyon on our way North to Rangeley, Maine. Please explore responsibly! We drove up here with the intention of panning in the river for gold. The owner of the Wilson Lake Inn informed me about Coos Canyon Falls. A Ride Down This Epic Natural Waterslide In Maine Will Make Your Summer Complete. Jan. 29 2017. Don't bother using the rest room/outhouse unless you can hold your breath while in there (horrible.). Attractions. It was also in the book about New England waterfalls, but I don't think I would have stopped if he hadn't pointed out that the falls were found right along the road. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. This is a half day hike, full of nice places on the way to have lunch at, or just to enjoy and walk by. Coos Canyon is on Route 17 between Rumford and the Rangeley Lakes area , one of western Maine's most scenic drives, and it's a place where travelers can rest, soak up the sun, hike up a … Then, once you're in, soak up the sun! There is a gravel parking lot to the right side of the road (heading north) so simply park and walk down to the river below. Water is crystal clear! You have natural water slides here. Coos Canyon is arguably the most unique swimming hole in the state of Maine. You have cliff jumping here. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I first visited Coos Canyon about 30 years ago. Coos Canyon is arguably the most unique swimming hole in the state of Maine. Also located along the Swift River, Coos Canyon is a great roadside park to stop for a swim or enjoy a picnic. So instead of getting into the cold water and panning for hours for most likely nothing, we wimped out and went to the rock shop and panned one of their buckets of dirt seeded with gold. It is just feet off of route 17 and a great place to cool off on a summer day or break up the ride to the beautiful Rangeley lakes region. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! 3 Reviews (207) 364-4900 Website. The 500-yard gorge is set along the Swift River and is easily accessible, located just off Route 17. It's known as one of the best places to pan for gold in Maine. The canyon is utterly beautiful. 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