This story was originally published in August 2024.

Many Mainers know that, on hot summer weekends, the parking lots fill up quickly at two of the midcoast’s most famous swimming destinations: Popham Beach and Reid State Park.

But with summer in full swing, the region has plenty of other natural swimming areas beyond those two sandy beaches, and most of them are more under the radar.

We did some research to find a few alternative places to take a dip in the midcoast, including beaches along the shore and inland swimming holes. In a couple cases, some hiking is required to reach them.

Mitchell Field, Harpswell

Down the neck of one of Harpswell’s peninsulas is Mitchell Field, an open space that was once a U.S. Navy fuel depot property . At the end of the road is a small beach, hidden

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