When my daughter was little, Echo Lake was a key part of summer camp trips. The kiddos and counselors would climb onto a bus and head on over to spend the day on the sandy shore.
Echo Lake is popular and it’s popular for a reason.
Just west of Somes Sound and north of Southwest Harbor proper and south of Somesville, the lake has a few entrance points for recreation.
Kayaks and canoes (and boats under 10 horse power) often launch from Ikes Point on Route 102.
The beach is also off Route 102 and is popular for swimming.
NEARBY HIKING
From the parking lot you can get to:
Beech Mountain (1.2 miles round trip)
Acadia Mountain (2.5 miles round trip)
Beech Cliff Loop (0.8 miles)
TO GET TO THE BEACH
Go on Route 102, look for the sign that says ECHO KAKE BEACH.
Have your pass ready so you can legally park. As long as you have that pass, your parking is free. Without the pass, you can get ticketed.
Or take the free Island Explorer Bus to Echo Lake Beach.
There is a paved path from the parking lot to the rest area and then a wooden walkway to the beach.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
There is a small hill to the beach.
There is a changing room and restrooms!
There are water fountains.
You can request a beach wheelchair by emailing five days before your visit. You can email through that link.
The water is way warmer than at Sand Beach.
The lake itself is approximately 237 acres and 66 feet deep at its very deepest.
It’s between Beech Mountain and Acadia Mountain in a valley.