Roque Bluffs State Park
State park
0.5 mi
4.7 (632)
145 Schoppee Point Rd, Roque Bluffs, ME 04654
State park with a crescent beach for ocean swimming, plus a freshwater pond, trails & picnic areas.
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
Pond And Ocean BeachME
Roque Bluffs State Park
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Compare Simpson Pond and the ocean beach at Roque Bluffs. Plan admission, dogs and off-season access, and bring water: neither swimming area has lifeguards.
Water type
Pond And Ocean Beach
Access
Informal
Fee
Day-use fees are per person: Maine adult $4, nonresident adult $6, nonresident senior $2. Children 5-11 $1; under 5 and Maine residents 65+ free under the published schedule. Bring cash or check; confirm current charges and eligibility.
Best season
Use published seasonal hours and verify services before travel. An off-season walk is different from a staffed summer visit
Nearby towns
Bangor, Ellsworth, Machias
Water body
Simpson Pond (Freshwater) And Englishman Bay (Saltwater)
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Bangor, Ellsworth, Machias
Recreation-area reference location
44.611496, -67.483113
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Roque Bluffs State Park
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Recreation-area reference location
- The map uses a recreation-area reference coordinate from the manager, not a surveyed entrance, parking space or safe water-entry point. Follow current signs and confirm access before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
- Official rules and facilities
- Official park information
- Maine park profile location
- 2025 park guide location
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Roque Bluffs: choose pond or ocean, then plan the visit
Simpson Pond and Englishman Bay are different swimming settings within Roque Bluffs State Park. The operator profile lists swimming at both, without lifeguards. Neither a pond designation nor a calm-looking photograph establishes present water quality or suitability for every ability.
Services worth planning around
The 2025 guide lists accessible parking, beach-lot privies without running water, picnic facilities and a playground. Bring drinking water. Those accessible features do not establish an accessible water entry, and this review does not verify a bathhouse or showers.
Admission is per person
The day-use schedule lists $4 for Maine adults, $6 for nonresident adults and $2 for nonresident seniors. Children ages 5-11 pay $1; younger children and eligible Maine residents 65 and older enter free. Recheck eligibility and charges. The park profile specifies cash or check, not credit cards.
Off season does not mean full services
Published park hours are 9 a.m. to sunset during the May 15 to October 1 season. Off-season walk-in visits remain permitted during those hours, with admission paid and vehicles parked outside the gate without blocking it. Facilities are closed. As this review was made October9, do not plan around summer services without checking with the operator.
Pets, picnics and overnight plans
The park excludes dogs from the ocean beach. Elsewhere, follow its leash requirement and posted beach instructions rather than assuming pets can enter every shoreline. Camping is not allowed. Statewide day-use rules prohibit intoxicating beverages, soaps and detergents discharged outside designated receptacles, and fires on beaches.
Directions and the corrected map reference
Plan arrival using 145 Schoppee Point Road and the official park guide. The map now uses the operator's park reference coordinate instead of the inherited distant point; it is not a verified swimming entrance. Trailhead and beach parking serve different visits. For a hike, use an individual route from the guide: its network total differs from the profile's total, so no combined mileage is inferred here.
Gallery and final checks
The five selected photographs show historical coastal, pond-side and sign context. They do not establish today's weather, water conditions or services. Contact 207-255-3475 in season or 207-941-4014 off season, and obey posted restrictions. Reviewed October 9, 2026.
Getting There
Use the operator address 145 Schoppee Point Road, Roque Bluffs, ME 04654. From the Machias area, follow the operator's Roque Bluffs Road approach toward the village and Schoppee Point. Trailhead parking and beach parking are separate on the park guide. The map point is an official recreation-area reference, not an exact swimming entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Seasonal park hours are 9 a.m. to sunset, May 15 to October 1, unless posted otherwise. The profile permits off-season walk-in visits during those hours with vehicles outside the gate, not blocking it, and admission still paid. Facilities are closed off season.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
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Gender-neutral restroomRestroom
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Campground
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Free Wi-Fi
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Rest stop
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I-95 South Mile Marker 179, Hermon, ME 04401
Restroom
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Roque Bluffs State Park
Is Roque Bluffs freshwater or ocean swimming?
Both: Simpson Pond is freshwater and Englishman Bay is saltwater. They are separate settings, not one pool.
Are there lifeguards?
No. The operator says neither swimming area has lifeguard protection.
Should I bring drinking water?
Yes. The official guide says there is no potable water on site.
Can I visit outside the summer season?
The profile permits paid walk-in visits from 9 a.m. to sunset outside the May 15-October 1 season. Do not block gates; facilities are closed.
Can my dog use the ocean beach?
No. The park specifically excludes dogs there. Elsewhere follow leash requirements and posted beach restrictions.
Can I camp at the park?
No. The operator states camping is not permitted.
Does accessible parking mean accessible swimming?
No. Parking and privies are listed as accessible, but this review does not establish an accessible water entry.
Is the map pin a swimming entrance?
No. It is the park reference published by the operator. Use the guide and signs to choose beach or trailhead parking.
Highlights
Freshwater pond and saltwater beach distinguished
No-lifeguard and drinking-water information
Off-season walk-in access separated from available services
Unique Features
Two different water settings within one day-use park
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Neither swimming area has lifeguards
- Check current conditions and posted restrictions before entering
- Do not assume shallow-looking or calm water is safe for a particular swimmer
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Keep this guide focused on the two water settings and practical visitor planning; no unsupported historical narrative added.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Five reviewed scenery, pond-side and sign views provide historical park context, not current water clearance, service availability or exact camera geolocation.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Carry out litter. Dogs are excluded from the ocean beach; elsewhere follow the short-leash requirement and posted beach rules. Do not assume a seasonal general rule overrides a site-specific restriction.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Use published seasonal hours and verify services before travel. An off-season walk is different from a staffed summer visit.
Difficulty Level
Select a hike from the current guide; trail access and a park-wide accessibility listing are not assessments of swimming ability or accessible water entry.
Fee
Day-use fees are per person: Maine adult $4, nonresident adult $6, nonresident senior $2. Children 5-11 $1; under 5 and Maine residents 65+ free under the published schedule. Bring cash or check; confirm current charges and eligibility.
Facilities
No drinking water or lifeguards. Accessible parking and privies do not establish an accessible route into either swimming area. No bathhouse, changing room or shower verified.
Activities
Conditional freshwater and ocean swimming, picnicking and hiking; follow current posted boundaries and rules.
Phone
Park season: 207-255-3475. Off season: 207-941-4014.
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Operator states camping is not permitted at this park. Arrange an overnight elsewhere rather than treating day-use admission as a campsite booking.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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