Peacock Beach State Park

Available Activities

Swimming

Maine’s Pleasant Pond Swimming Beach — Sandy Beach Day-Use Area, Picnicking, Grills & Lakeside Recreation on Route 201 in Richmond

Peacock Beach State Park is a small, day-use swimming and picnicking area on the shores of Pleasant Pond in Richmond, Maine, along U.S. Route 201. The park features a sandy swimming beach, picnic tables, charcoal grills, parking, and a peaceful lakeside setting.

Originally established as a Maine state park, Peacock Beach has been managed by the Town of Richmond since 2010 following state budget cuts. Despite the management transition, the beach remains open to the public for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking during the summer season. The park offers a quiet, uncrowded alternative to Maine’s larger and busier state park beaches. Pleasant Pond provides a calm, freshwater swimming experience in a scenic central Maine setting.

Things to Do

Swimming

Sandy beach: On Pleasant Pond
Freshwater swimming: Calm, clear pond water
Season: Typically Memorial Day through Labor Day

Picnicking

Picnic tables
Charcoal grills
Lakeside setting

Nature

Birding: Waterfowl and shore birds on Pleasant Pond
Quiet observation: Peaceful, uncrowded lakeside setting

Park Information

Feature	Details
Type	Day-use only — swimming and picnicking
Admission	Small entry fee (pay via drop box — park is not regularly staffed)
Season	Memorial Day through Labor Day, dawn to dusk
Camping	Not available — see nearby private campgrounds
Address	U.S. Route 201, Richmond, ME 04357
Dogs	Generally not allowed on the beach
Trash Policy	Carry-in, carry-out
State Park Passes	NOT accepted (town-managed since 2010)

Best Time to Visit

Season	Highlights	Considerations
Summer (Jun–Aug)	⭐ PEAK: Swimming; picnicking; warm water; long days; full access	Busiest weekends; hot afternoons; thunderstorms possible
Late Spring (May)	Opening weekend; quiet; birding; pond warming up	Water still cold; limited hours; bugs emerging
Early Fall (Sep)	Warm water; less crowded; early foliage; quiet afternoons	Beach may close after Labor Day; shorter days
Off-Season (Oct–Apr)	Park CLOSED for swimming/picnicking	No access during winter months

Visitor Tips

Drop-box fee: Admission is a small fee paid via drop box — bring cash. The park is not regularly staffed.
State park passes NOT accepted: Peacock Beach has been managed by the Town of Richmond since 2010 — Maine state park passes are not valid here.
Carry-in, carry-out: There are no trash cans — bring bags to pack out all your trash.
No dogs on beach: Dogs are generally not allowed on the beach.
Quiet beach: This is a small, quiet, uncrowded beach — ideal for families seeking a peaceful freshwater swim without the crowds of Maine’s ocean beaches.
No alcohol or smoking: Prohibited in common areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peacock Beach State Park still open?

Yes — Peacock Beach is still open to the public for swimming and picnicking. While the original state park was transferred to local management in 2010 due to budget cuts, the Town of Richmond continues to operate the beach on Pleasant Pond. It is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from dawn to dusk. A small entry fee is collected via drop box. Note that Maine state park passes are not accepted since the site is now managed locally.

Can you camp at Peacock Beach?

No — Peacock Beach is a day-use only swimming and picnicking area on Pleasant Pond in Richmond, Maine. There are no camping facilities at the park. For camping nearby, consider private campgrounds in the Litchfield, Winthrop, or Augusta/Gardiner area. The park features a sandy beach, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and parking. It operates on a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.

Last updated: May 2026

Last updated: May 3, 2026