© 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Access to the canyon is from the parking area adjacent Route 17 on Byron. A Ride Down This Epic Natural Waterslide In Maine Will Make Your Summer Complete. Please explore responsibly! 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. Dine on an island My goal is to try to keep this list as complete and up-to-date as possible. Located on Rte. Spend 10 minutes or all day! 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. However, what might be more interesting than gold, are the metamorphic rock formations that make up the canyon walls. Several locations spread over a mile or more, cliffs to jump of are from 1 to 15 yards! See/Swim was created by two artists to map access to land, and to help people feel connected with their surroundings. It's known as one of the best places to pan for gold in Maine. Coos Canyon: Swimming Hole - See 75 traveler reviews, 44 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. It's almost impossible to miss but if you're worried about it you can type "coos canyon" or "coos canyon rock and gift" into google maps and it will take you right there. You have natural water slides here. It is a popular swimming and picnicking area, with waterfalls and swim holes. This is where you find the most intricately carved rock. Via magdalenawosinska.com. Enjoy the easy drive right to our secluded campsite. Coos Canyon is a geological mini-wonder. "The canyon is considered one of the premier swimming holes in the U.S.," according to an AP caption. The swimming area is a deep area within the Swift River and is nestled between two fairly steep sections of rock. more. Oxford County is a county in Maine. Swimming Holes in the Bethel, Maine area - Duration: 1:37. In fact, the drive to reach it is almost as beautiful as the falls themselves. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. There is also a convenience store across the street and grills for lunch. You'll find the longest single drop in Maine at the 90-foot Angel Falls at the … It has remained one of my favorite places on earth, and I've driven considerable distances to visit on several occasions. Also in Western Maine lies Coos Canyon, Byron's Happy Gorge conveniently set off the road to Rangeley (Route 17). There are a few steeper sections near the top, but completely manageable even for a beginner. The rocks lining the canyon walls have uniquely carved lines in them, due to erosion over the years. With ample views and sounds of song birds and wildlife. Cliff jumping is common, and snorkeling a favorite. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. So there are steep cliffs, pools to swim and … Coos Canyon can be found just off of Route 17 scenic highway. Get directions, reviews and information for Coos Canyon in Byron, ME. Be careful though because once you get below the falls it is more difficult to get out of the canyon. There are great photo ops, swimming holes, picnic areas along with a sub and gift shop at this great waterfall and canyon. along the way locals warned us that most of the areas where you can still find gold have been closed off. You have cliff jumping here. We stopped at Coos Canyon on our way North to Rangeley, Maine. Coos Canyon is right off of route 17 in Byron, ME. LIST OF WATERFALL/SWIMMING HOLE DEATHS Here is a list of all known waterfall and swimming hole-related fatalities in New England. 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. Water is crystal clear! The 500-yard gorge is set along the Swift River and is easily accessible, located just off Route 17. Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs by Sam Klein. Oct 10, 2012 - Coos Canyon in Byron, ME (about 20mins outside of Rumford). sharing special places to swim around the world (via herwordlessness) Apr. Also located along the Swift River, Coos Canyon is a great roadside park to stop for a swim or enjoy a picnic. The canyon is utterly beautiful. 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. Cliff jumping/diving into an icy cold river! I have loved it here since I was a kid. We run this site in our free time to document our travels, and to share them with people who like outdoor swimming. Jan. 29 2017. Worth a stop to see if you are driving by. Coos Canyon This geologically unique area is known by prospectors around New England as a place to pan or sluice for gold. Great little riverside campground and store to set you up with all you need for a family adventure panning for real gold. 3 Reviews (207) 364-4900 Website. Great swimming, great for photos, wonderful picnic spot, and always kind people. Nice area, can see the canyon from the parking lot. Skip navigation Sign in. Coos Canyon K. eep your eyes open while you swim: this stretch of the Swift River is one of the best places in Maine to pan for gold. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Small town along our route with a beautiful waterfall course that is right on the highway. 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. The owner of the Wilson Lake Inn informed me about Coos Canyon Falls. Via Flickr / … The Swift River is full of GOLD. You can sit on before dipping into a refreshing pool that’s around 4-6 feet deep. 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. Angel Falls, Rangeley. Coos Canyon: Great cool off spot - See 73 traveller reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. More swimming holes: The Best Swimming Holes in Maine via Yahoo. Here Are 11 Maine Swimming Holes That Will Make Your Summer Epic. There are three natural swimming holes in front of the park, and waterfalls above and below that. You will find this hot spot to fit all ages. Enjoy th... Getting to Rapid River can be a bit of a trek, as the 10 or so miles leading to it is a maze of logging roads and the cell service is spotty at best. Don't bother using the rest room/outhouse unless you can hold your breath while in there (horrible.). Coos Canyon, Rangeley: See 74 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Coos Canyon, ranked No.7 on Tripadvisor among 26 attractions in Rangeley. Spend 10 minutes or all day! Attractions. Stopping in shops, etc. Coos Canyon: Campground has gone WAY downhill - See 75 traveler reviews, 44 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. 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. 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. Coos Canyon, on the Swift River in Byron, is a free roadside swimming area created by erosion. Me doing a gainer off Coos Canyon, Maine. You can even try your hand at panning for gold, first discovered here in the 1840s. 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. Fox Pond N estled alongside the Blackwoods Scenic Byway, Fox Pond couldn’t be easier to get to, and the views of Tunk and Catherine. Me doing a gainer off Coos Canyon, Maine. mountains are superb. Coos Canyon is a beautiful, natural gorge along the Swift River. This is a half day hike, full of nice places on the way to have lunch at, or just to enjoy and walk by. See/Swim is a guide to outdoor swimming and exploration, with over 400 locations throughout the United States. Great place to stop and just walk around too. Then, once you're in, soak up the sun! As a boy he even dreamed of becoming a professional cliff diver before he discovered that the paper mill offered more immediate employment. It then quickly shallows out, making it a perfect swimming spot even for kids. C – Coos Canyon, Byron For century upon century, the Swift River has etched and chipped away at the granite bedrock, creating Coos Canyon. 17, about 14 miles north of Rumford. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! I first visited Coos Canyon about 30 years ago. The 500-yard gorge is set along the Swift River and is easily accessible, located just off Route 17. Welcome to Private Retreat at River's Edge, your personal hideaway in the Western foothills of Maine. Locals know where to jump from just follow the kids up to the 40 footer. This swimming hole is easily accessed by simply pulling off of the Route 17 Scenic Highway. 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. It can sometimes be slippery to access, so exercise extreme caution when heading in. 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. We stopped for a break to get out of the car. Conveniently, it is right beside Route 17, south of Rangeley. #unknown #swimming holes. i heart swimming holes. Beautiful views lay in front of you, for you to enjoy. We drove up here with the intention of panning in the river for gold. Looking for that natural swimming hole. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. We offer free hands-on demonstrations to teach how to pan for and find gold on your own. Russell Keene, 52, of Livermore Falls, Maine, does a swan dive into the Swift River off a cliff at Coos Canyon in Byron, Maine. Search. Great little park, good for lunch and people watching. Original pictures and insider tips about neighborhoods, delicious restaurants, entertainment, and unique places to visit in Byron, ME. Just below the falls there is a cool rock overhang that you can sit under (in the water). Coos Canyon: by accident while looking for moose - See 75 traveller reviews, 44 candid photos, and great deals for Rangeley, ME, at Tripadvisor. adventures and follow local regulations. The real stuff. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Coos Canyon 472 Swift River Rd Byron ME 04275. 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 … Coos Canyon is right off of route 17 in Byron, ME. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Just don't expect cell service. 5 2017. It is very picturesque and worth stopping for if you do not have to go out of your way. A cascading waterfall lunges over natural rock steps. A curiously carved canyon of potholes and smoothed rocks. 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