Frenchman's Hole

The Swimming Hole That Made a Global List

Frenchman’s Hole is a deep natural pool on Bull Branch Stream, tucked into the Mahoosuc Public Reserve near Bethel in Oxford County. Water cascades over ledges and drops into a clear, cold pool surrounded by rock walls and forest. It was named one of the top 20 swimming holes in the world, and it is the only spot in the United States to make that list. On a hot July afternoon, you will understand why.

The spot is about seven miles up Sunday River Road from Bethel, past the ski resort, deep enough into the woods that it feels remote even though the drive from town is short. The parking area is a gravel pulloff, and the walk to the water takes just a few minutes. What you find is a natural amphitheater of rock with cascading water pouring into a pool deep enough for jumping.

The Swimming Hole

The main pool at Frenchman’s Hole sits at the base of a cascading drop where Bull Branch Stream pours over granite ledges. The pool is deep enough for swimming and jumping in most conditions, though water levels fluctuate through the summer. Early summer, when snowmelt still feeds the stream, brings the highest water and the coldest temperatures. By August the flow is lower but the water is warmer.

A stone staircase of sorts leads down to the upper pool. From there, most people either wade in or jump from the ledges. There is a rope that people use to climb back up after jumping, though it is not always in good condition. You can also work your way around the sides of the falls to access the lower pool.

The water is mountain-stream cold. Even in August, it will take your breath away for the first few seconds. On a 90-degree day, that is exactly what you want.

The Setting

Bull Branch Stream flows through the 9,974-acre Mahoosuc Public Reserve, part of the larger Mahoosuc Range that straddles the Maine-New Hampshire border. The forest here is dense northern hardwood and softwood, with birch, maple, and spruce shading the stream corridor. The rocks around the falls are granite, worn smooth by centuries of running water.

The upper cascade drops maybe 15 feet over a series of stepped ledges before the water collects in the main pool. Below the pool, the stream continues through smaller cascades and riffles. The whole stretch of Bull Branch in this area is scenic, but the main hole is the destination.

The name comes from early French-Canadian loggers who worked the rivers in this part of Maine. The logging history runs deep in the Mahoosuc Range, and Bull Branch was part of the network of streams used to float timber downstream.

When to Go

July and August are the prime months. The water is at its warmest (still cold by any standard, but swimmable), the weather is hot enough to make the cold water feel good, and the days are long. June can work on warm days, but the snowmelt makes the water significantly colder and the flow stronger. By mid-September, most people find the water too cold for extended swimming.

Getting There

From Bethel, take Route 2 north for about 2 miles and turn left onto Sunday River Road. Follow it for roughly 7 miles, staying right at the forks. When you reach the twin logging bridges at Ketchum, turn right onto Bull Branch Road. The parking area for Frenchman’s Hole is about 0.7 miles down on the left side.

The last stretch of road is gravel and can be rough in spots. A regular car can make it in dry conditions, but take it slow. The road is not maintained in winter.

From Portland, the drive takes about two hours via Route 26 through Bethel. From the Sunday River ski resort, the swimming hole is about 10 minutes further up the road.

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