A Wilderness Pond With Sand Beaches
Donnell Pond covers 1,138 acres in Hancock County, tucked into more than 14,000 acres of Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land between the towns of Franklin and Sullivan. Its perimeter stretches over 15 miles, and more than 60 percent of its shoreline is conserved state land. The pond has a maximum depth of 119 feet and a mean depth of 33 feet, fed by clean, cold groundwater that keeps it in excellent condition.
What sets Donnell Pond apart from most Maine lakes is the combination of sand beaches, mountain backdrop, and near-total absence of development. Schoodic Mountain rises on one side, Black Mountain on the other, and between them the pond sits in a forested bowl with no houses, no docks, no lawns. It feels like a lake in northern Canada, but it is 45 minutes from Acadia National Park and an hour from Bangor.
The beaches here are the real draw. Schoodic Beach is a long stretch of sand with clear water and mountain views in both directions. Redman’s Beach offers a smaller but equally scenic alternative. Both are accessible by boat or on foot, and both are free. No fees, no entrance gates, no reservations needed. This is Maine public land at its best.
Swimming
Schoodic Beach is the primary swimming destination. It is a wide, sandy beach with a gentle entry into cold, clear water. Schoodic Mountain rises directly behind it, and Black Mountain looms across the pond. The setting is striking.
Getting to Schoodic Beach requires either a roughly 3-mile paddle from the boat launch or a half-mile walk from the Schoodic Beach parking area off the camp road. The walk-in approach is easy, flat terrain through the woods.
Paddle to Schoodic Beach on a weekday morning in July. You may have the entire beach to yourself, something that is nearly impossible at any public beach in coastal Maine during summer.
Water temperature follows the cold Maine pattern. The pond is deep enough that surface water stays in the upper 50s to low 60s through June, reaching the mid-to-upper 60s by late July and August. The sandy shallows near the beaches warm faster than the open water.
Redman’s Beach is smaller and slightly closer to the boat launch. It is a good alternative if Schoodic Beach has a crowd, though even on busy summer weekends the beaches rarely feel packed. The paddle-in access naturally limits the numbers.
Bring a small camp stove and make lunch on the beach. Picnic tables are available at both Schoodic and Redman’s beaches, and there is nothing better than a hot meal on a sand beach with mountain views after a morning paddle.
Boating and Paddling
Donnell Pond is a paddler’s paradise. The boat launch is located on the pond’s eastern side, accessed via the main camp road off Route 182. It is a gravel ramp suitable for canoes, kayaks, and small motorboats. Parking is free.
| Destination | Distance from Launch | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Schoodic Beach | ~3 miles | Long sand beach at base of Schoodic Mountain |
| Redman's Beach | ~2 miles | Smaller sand beach with campsites |
| Black Mountain shoreline | ~4 miles | Rocky coves with eagle and osprey nesting |
| Full pond loop | ~8+ miles | Full day paddle around the entire shoreline |
Motorboats are allowed but the pond stays quiet. Most visitors come by canoe or kayak. Eagles and ospreys fish the pond regularly, and loons are a common sight and sound. The wooded shoreline is unbroken by development, and the mountain reflections on calm mornings are exceptional.
Donnell Pond is large and open. Afternoon winds can build quickly, especially from the southwest. If you are paddling to Schoodic Beach, go early and plan your return before the wind picks up. A 3-mile open-water paddle into a headwind is no fun in a canoe.
Fishing
Donnell Pond is a classic oligotrophic lake, cold, deep, low in nutrients, and ideal habitat for coldwater sportfish. The primary fishery targets landlocked salmon and brook trout, with wild salmon making up a meaningful portion of the catch in most years.
| Species | Best Season | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landlocked Salmon | May, September-October | Trolling streamers, fly fishing | 25-40% of salmon catch is wild fish in most years |
| Brook Trout | May-June, September | Fly fishing, light spinning | Coldwater habitat supports natural reproduction |
| Smallmouth Bass | June-September | Soft plastics, topwater | Illegally introduced in 2001; now established |
| White Perch | Summer | Worms, small jigs | Provide good action at times |
General fishing regulations apply. A Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. The cold, deep water and clean conditions make Donnell Pond one of the better coldwater fisheries in Hancock County. Salmon fishing is best in spring after ice-out and again in fall when surface temperatures drop.
Hiking
The public reserved land includes several mountain trails that complement a day on the water.
Schoodic Mountain, The trail from Schoodic Beach to the summit is 1 mile one way and moderate in difficulty. The bare granite summit offers 360-degree views, including Frenchman Bay, Mount Desert Island, and the expanse of Donnell Pond below. This is one of the best view-to-effort ratios in downeast Maine.
Black Mountain, The Black Mountain Cliffs Trail climbs to dramatic cliff viewpoints overlooking the pond. It is a more strenuous hike with roughly 1,800 feet of cumulative elevation gain if you do the full loop.
Caribou Loop Trail, A moderate loop through the forest with views from Caribou Mountain.
Combine a morning paddle to Schoodic Beach with an afternoon hike up Schoodic Mountain. Stash your kayak on the beach, hike the summit, and paddle back in the late afternoon calm. It is a full day that covers the best of what Donnell Pond has to offer.
Camping
The state maintains primitive campsites at Schoodic Beach and Redman’s Beach, plus three additional shoreline sites accessible only by boat. Camping is first-come, first-served with no fees and no reservations. The stay limit is 14 days within any 45-day period.
Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. There are no toilets, no running water, and no trash service. Pack in, pack out. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash at campsites.
Planning Your Visit
Spring
Salmon fishing after ice-out. Blackflies can be intense through mid-June. Quiet and uncrowded.
Summer
Warm enough for swimming at the beaches. Best paddling conditions. Busiest on weekends but never truly crowded.
Fall
Foliage reflects in the pond. Excellent fishing. Mountain hiking with crisp air and views. Few visitors.
Winter
Ice fishing possible. Access roads may not be plowed. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on ungroomed terrain.
There is no cell service at Donnell Pond. Plan accordingly. Download maps, tell someone your plans, and carry what you need.
Donnell Pond Day Trip Packing List
- Canoe or kayak (no rentals available)
- Life jackets for all paddlers
- Dry bag for gear
- Lunch, snacks, and plenty of water
- Sunscreen and hat
- Bug spray (essential May-July)
- Hiking shoes if planning a summit
- Camera
- Trash bags (pack it all out)
Getting there: From Ellsworth, take Route 1 East to Route 182 (Blackwoods Scenic Byway). Turn north on the camp road to reach the boat launch. From Bangor, the drive is about 1 hour via Route 1A to Ellsworth, then Route 182. From Portland, allow about 3 hours and 15 minutes via I-95 and Route 1A. The access road is gravel and generally in good condition but can be rough after spring mud season.
FAQ
Is there a fee to use Donnell Pond?
No. Donnell Pond is part of Maine's Public Reserved Lands system. Access, parking, boat launch, beaches, and camping are all free. No permits or reservations required.
Can you drive to the beach at Donnell Pond?
Not directly to the sand. You can park at the Schoodic Beach lot and walk about half a mile to the beach. Alternatively, paddle about 3 miles from the boat launch. Most visitors paddle in.
Is there cell service at Donnell Pond?
No. There is no cell service at Donnell Pond or on the surrounding public reserved land. Plan ahead and bring paper maps.
Can you camp at Donnell Pond?
Yes. Free primitive campsites are available at Schoodic Beach, Redman's Beach, and along the shoreline. First-come, first-served. No reservations, no fees. Fire rings and picnic tables provided. Pack out all trash.
What fish are in Donnell Pond?
The primary sportfish are landlocked salmon and brook trout, both supported by the cold, deep water. Smallmouth bass and white perch are also present. The salmon fishery includes a significant percentage of wild fish.
