Do you enjoy going to the beach on a hot summer day? Does the thought of the long lines for parking, or fighting the traffic on Rt 1, turn you off? Experience a lakeside adventure instead! While beaches like Long Sands in York, or Footbridge in Ogunquit, may have their own charm and lure, I prefer beaches like the one I found on Province Lake this summer. So if your mind is set on an oceanside view and starfish, visit the Maine Beach Guide for a good run down of coastal beaches in Maine, but if you want a quiet beach to visit as either a destination or just a cooling off point during the day, visit Province Lake with me.
The public beach on Province Lake is located on Rt 153, and includes stretches in Parsonsfield, Me. and Effingham, N.H., as it is almost equally divided by the state line. 
(View of beach with state line visible on left side)
Parking for the beach is roadside so please use caution getting into and out of your car! We have visited the beach several times this summer, and have never had a problem parking or finding a quiet spot on the beach. The beach itself is not very wide, with only about 10’ between the edge of the road and the water, but there is plenty of room for a chair or lounge, and it’s great being only feet from your vehicle, instead of the miles that you may have to travel at one of the busy oceanside beaches. 
(View into Maine - toward golf course)
Families that include both beach lovers and golfers will be happy to know that Province Lake Golf Course is adjacent to the beach on the Maine side, and includes an ice cream shop if you need more cooling off than the water provides.
(Clear water at Province Beach)
The water is clear and refreshing, and the water remains shallow for a long ways out. So have no fear if you are not a strong swimmer, but use caution as there is no life guard on duty. Also, plan on bringing floats to extend your enjoyment out onto the water. There are power boats and various personal watercraft (canoes,kayaks) on the lake, but we have never had a bad experience with them. Even the locals seem to embrace visitors, as they will come up to you and say hello, then move on to enjoy the lake themselves. 
(Local inhabitant coming up to say Hi!)
Use caution with your picnic lunches or snacks, as the locals won’t hesitate to help themselves to a cracker or cheese if you leave them out. As always, please be considerate of your neighbors and future visitors, carry out all trash. Try to leave the places you visit better than how you found it!
There is a small store just down the road, at the intersection of Rt 153 and Rt 110, called Country Goods & Grocery. You can follow them on Facebook as well, by clicking here. They sell a variety of goods and have a deli and pizza. Stop in and pick up some lunch, and use the porta-potty out front to take care of your personal business.
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