Maine has more named waterfalls than anyone has time to count. But they are not spread evenly across the state. They cluster. If you know which corners of Maine to drive to, you can see six or eight falls in a single day. If you just look at a map and start driving, you will spend three hours between stops.
This is the complete guide to Maine waterfalls, organized by the regions where they actually exist. Western Mountains and Grafton Notch carry the bulk of them. Aroostook and the Katahdin region have a scattered handful tucked into big woods country. The Moosehead region holds a few of the tallest. Southern and coastal Maine are thin on falls but have a couple worth the detour.
Heights, trail lengths, swimming notes, and what makes each one worth the trip. Skip what does not interest you. Bookmark the regions you will actually visit.
Quick-Pick: 10 Must-See Maine Waterfalls
| Waterfall | Region | Height | Trail | Swim? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Falls | Western Mountains | 90 ft | ~0.5 mi | No (shallow) |
| Moxie Falls | Moosehead | ~90 ft | 0.5 mi | Below falls |
| Screw Auger (Grafton) | Western Mountains | 25 ft | Roadside | Wading only |
| Smalls Falls | Western Mountains | ~54 ft (tiers) | Short walk | Yes |
| Gulf Hagas Falls | Moosehead | Multiple | 4-8 mi loop | Yes |
| Frenchman's Hole | Western Mountains | ~15 ft | 5 min walk | Yes |
| Coos Canyon | Western Mountains | Cascade | Roadside | Yes |
| Katahdin Stream Falls | Katahdin | ~80 ft | 1.2 mi | No |
| Grand Falls (Dead River) | Western/Aroostook | 40 ft wide | Boat/Hike | No |
| Rumford Falls | Western Mountains | 180 ft (urban) | Roadside | No |
Western Mountains: The Waterfall Capital of Maine
The Western Mountains region runs from Grafton Notch through Bethel, Rumford, Rangeley, and up to Carrabassett Valley. This is where most of Maine’s waterfalls live. Glacial geology, steep terrain, and high rainfall combine to carve the state’s most spectacular drops. Nineteen of the waterfalls in this guide are in this region alone.
If you have one weekend to see Maine waterfalls, come here.
Grafton Notch & Bethel Cluster
Grafton Notch State Park sits on Route 26 between Bethel and Upton, and it holds three of the most photographed falls in Maine within a few miles of each other.
- Screw Auger Falls is the headline act. A 25-foot cascade on the Bear River has carved deep potholes into the granite bedrock. Roadside access, paved path, and five minutes on the trail gets you there. The potholes are dangerous for swimming but photogenic for everyone else.
- Mother Walker Falls is a short walk upstream of Screw Auger, hidden inside a narrow rock gorge. Less visited. Worth the extra 10 minutes.
- Dunn Falls is a hidden 80-foot cascade off the Appalachian Trail in Andover North Surplus. The hike is rougher (about 2 miles round trip on rocky trail), but the falls are stunning and almost no tourists know about them.
Just south in Newry, off Sunday River Road:
- Frenchman’s Hole is the most famous swimming waterfall in Maine. A 15-foot drop into a deep blue pool, with granite ledges for jumping. Five-minute walk from the parking lot on Sunday River Road. Come early on summer weekends.
- Kees Falls in Mason Township is a lesser-known drop in the same general area. A remote, rugged feel if you want to dodge crowds.
- Mad River Falls in Batchelders Grant is another off-the-radar pick that rewards patience on gravel roads.
Bethel-area bonus: Ellis Falls in Andover has a classic two-tier cascade, and Kezar Falls in Lovell sits in a quiet stretch near the New Hampshire border that most Maine visitors never see.
Rangeley & Rumford Cluster
Head north on Route 17 from Rumford and you are driving the waterfall alley of western Maine.
- Coos Canyon in Byron is a granite gorge on the Swift River, carved right alongside Route 17. Roadside access, pools for wading and swimming, and Maine’s most famous spot for amateur gold panning.
- Swift River Falls sits a short drive upstream of Coos Canyon. A smaller but quieter stop if you want the same kind of granite-and-water setting without any company.
- Smalls Falls in Township E is a four-tier drop just off Route 4 south of Rangeley. Each tier has a pool; the middle ones are the prime swimming. There is a state rest area with a footbridge. Beloved and busy on summer weekends.
- Angel Falls in Township D drops 90 feet down a narrow rock face. The pool below is shallow, so it is not a swimming destination, but it is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Maine. The gravel road in is rough; high clearance helps.
- Rumford Falls is an urban giant: 180 feet total drop over multiple tiers, right in downtown Rumford behind the paper mill. Flow is controlled by a dam, so visit when water is running.
- Dingley Falls near Rangeley is a quiet backwoods option for travelers who already have the crowd-favorites covered.
- Bemis Falls in Township D is another Rangeley-adjacent stop that sees very few visitors.
Farmington & Carrabassett Valley
The northern stretch of the Western Mountains picks up on the way toward Sugarloaf.
- Mosher Hill Falls in Farmington is a short walk from the road. A narrow ribbon cascade over mossy ledges.
- Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley is a two-part hike: North and South Poplar Stream Falls, both reachable via trails in the Bigelow Preserve area. One of the best half-day waterfall hikes in Maine.
Southern Fringe: Snow Falls & the Saco River
- Snow Falls in West Paris is roadside off Route 26, halfway between Portland and Bethel. A modest set of cascades with a decent pool below. Easy stop if you are passing through.
- Rattlesnake Flume and Pool in Stow is technically at the edge of the Western Mountains region, inside White Mountain National Forest. A 1-mile hike leads to one of the most calendar-perfect gorge pools in Maine.
- Cascade Falls (Saco) is in southern Maine proper (in the town of Saco, not the western hills), but it is worth naming here. A short urban-adjacent cascade on Cascade Brook that most Portland-area residents have never visited.
The western mountains have dozens of small unnamed cascades on feeder streams between the famous falls. If you see a pull-off on Routes 17, 26, or 4 next to a mountain stream, walk 100 feet into the woods. You will often find a surprise.
Aroostook & Katahdin: Deep-Woods Waterfalls
Northern Maine has fewer waterfalls than the western mountains, but the ones up here feel genuinely remote. You will not be sharing them with tour buses.
- Katahdin Stream Falls in Baxter State Park drops about 80 feet alongside the Hunt Trail. It is the easy waterfall you pass on the way up Katahdin, but it is also a perfectly good destination on its own: a 1.2-mile round-trip on gentle terrain, accessible even to casual hikers who have no intention of climbing the mountain.
- Shin Falls in Mount Chase is a short hike to a broad cascade on Shin Brook. Scenic, quiet, and often overlooked by visitors focused on Baxter.
- Sawtelle Falls in T6 R7 WELS (deep woods Aroostook) is a wild-feeling spot for travelers who want isolation more than spectacle.
- Otter Falls in T4 R11 WELS is another remote pick; the sort of place you stumble into if you are already up in the big woods on a different trip.
- Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow Township is a small Aroostook-area cascade (not to be confused with the Buttermilk Falls at Gulf Hagas, which is in the Moosehead section below).
- Tobey Falls in Willimantic, just north of Moosehead Lake, is a beautiful 40-foot drop with a short easy trail. Perfect pairing with a Moosehead trip.
- Grand Falls on the Dead River in Lower Enchanted Township is one of the biggest waterfalls in Maine by volume. A 40-foot drop across a 200-foot-wide river. It is reached either by rafting the Dead River or by a rough hike/drive into the woods. Real adventure territory.
Moosehead Region: Tall Drops & The Gulf
The Moosehead region is smaller in waterfall count but holds some of Maine’s tallest and most dramatic.
- Moxie Falls in Moxie Gore (near The Forks) is one of the tallest in New England at roughly 90 feet. A well-maintained 0.5-mile trail leads to viewing platforms. Below the main plunge, Moxie Stream runs through pools that are legitimately swimmable if you know how to get down to the water safely.
- Moxie Stream Falls is a smaller, quieter drop in the same area. If you want to combine Moxie Falls with another stop the same afternoon, this is the pick.
- Houston Brook Falls in Pleasant Ridge Plantation is a 40-foot cascade with a deep pool. Ten-minute walk on a flat trail. A locals-only feel even on busy weekends.
- Hay Brook Falls in T7 R9 NWP is a remote cascade inside the 100-Mile Wilderness corridor. Not easy to reach, which is why you will usually have it to yourself.
- Gulf Hagas Falls is the headline act of the Gulf Hagas slate canyon system in Township 7 SD. The canyon is called the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” which overstates things but captures the idea. Six named waterfalls along the West Branch Pleasant River over a 2.5-mile stretch: Screw Auger Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Stair Falls, Billings Falls, The Jaws, and Gulf Hagas Falls itself. The full loop is 8 miles round-trip; a partial rim trail hike is shorter. North Maine Woods gate fee applies.
Southern Maine & Greater Portland
Southern Maine is dominated by coastline, not mountain terrain, so waterfalls are scarce here. But there are a couple that matter.
- Jewel Falls is Portland’s waterfall. Hidden inside the Fore River Sanctuary off Rowe Avenue, a half-mile from the I-295 corridor. A modest cascade drops into a small pool. For Portlanders who want woods and water without driving an hour, it is the option that exists.
- Cascade Falls (Saco) is a short cascade on Cascade Brook in the city of Saco. Urban-adjacent, easily missed, and a pleasant lunch-break stop for anyone in the Old Orchard Beach or Saco area.
Downeast and coastal Maine have a few small drops not catalogued in this guide, but if waterfalls are your main goal, head inland.
Maine Waterfalls by Experience
Same falls, organized by what you actually want to do.
Best Roadside (No Hiking)
You can see these from the parking lot or within 5 minutes of walking:
- Screw Auger Falls, Grafton Notch
- Coos Canyon, Byron
- Snow Falls, West Paris
- Moxie Stream Falls, Moxie Gore
- Rumford Falls, Rumford
Best Swimming
Pools deep enough to actually swim in:
- Frenchman’s Hole, Newry
- Smalls Falls, Township E
- Coos Canyon, Byron
- Rattlesnake Flume and Pool, Stow
- Houston Brook Falls, Pleasant Ridge
- Pools below Moxie Falls and inside Gulf Hagas
More detail in our best swimming holes in Maine guide.
Best Hike-In (Real Effort Required)
For the reader who wants to earn it:
- Angel Falls, Township D (rough road plus short hike)
- Dunn Falls, Andover North Surplus
- Gulf Hagas Falls system, Township 7 SD (4-8 miles)
- Poplar Stream Falls, Carrabassett Valley
- Katahdin Stream Falls, Baxter State Park
Most Photogenic
The ones that dominate Instagram:
- Angel Falls for its tall thin ribbon
- Screw Auger Falls for the carved potholes
- Smalls Falls for multi-tier composition
- Moxie Falls for sheer height
- The Jaws at Gulf Hagas for its narrow canyon walls
Best for Kids
Short walks, safe viewing, something interesting to do:
- Screw Auger Falls: paved path, potholes to look at (not wade in)
- Snow Falls: safe roadside pool, picnic tables
- Coos Canyon: gold panning, shallow pools
- Smalls Falls: footbridge over the top tier, easy viewing
- Houston Brook Falls: short flat trail
When to Visit Maine Waterfalls
Flow, temperature, and crowds change everything. Here is the rough seasonal breakdown:
April to mid-May: Peak flow. Snowmelt makes the falls their most dramatic. Even minor cascades turn into roaring columns. Water is freezing; swimming is not an option. Trails are muddy or still covered in snow at higher elevations. This is the photographer’s season.
Late May to June: Flow tapers, temperatures warm slightly. Trails dry out. Black flies peak in early to mid-June in the western mountains and big woods. Bring a head net.
July to August: Swimming season. Water warms into the 60s. Flows drop, pools clear up, and the smaller falls thin out. Bigger drops like Moxie and Angel hold their flow better. Weekends at famous spots (Smalls, Frenchman’s Hole, Coos Canyon) are crowded by 10 AM.
September to early October: Foliage season. Flow is low but the color frames every shot. Mid to late September in the Rangeley and Grafton areas is the sweet spot. Crowds are big on weekends but gone by the weekday after Columbus Day.
November to March: Ice formations. Experienced winter hikers go to Moxie and Smalls to photograph frozen cascades. This is not a casual-tourist undertaking; you need traction devices, cold-weather gear, and comfort on icy trails.
Check USGS stream gauge data before driving to any waterfall for photography. High flows after rain can be dramatic but often muddy. Very low flows in August can leave some of the smaller cascades as a trickle. Gauges on the Bear River, Swift River, Sandy River, Pleasant River, and Dead River will tell you what you are going to find.
Safety
People die at Maine waterfalls every year. The three most common causes:
- Slipping on wet granite near the top of falls. Wet stone below cascades is coated in algae and is as slippery as ice. Stay behind barriers; do not climb out to “get a better shot.”
- Shallow-water diving. Plunge pools that look deep often have hidden rocks. Never jump from any ledge you have not personally swum under and verified.
- Flash flooding in spring. Mountain streams can rise 2 to 4 feet in an hour during April and May. If water is rising, leave immediately.
Cold water shock is also real. Most Maine waterfall pools stay in the 50s Fahrenheit even in August. If you fall in unexpectedly, you have about a minute to self-rescue before your muscles stop working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest waterfall in Maine?
By height, Moxie Falls in The Forks and Angel Falls near Rangeley both measure around 90 feet and are the tallest single-drop falls in the state. Rumford Falls drops 180 feet in total but over multiple tiers within an urban setting. By water volume, Grand Falls on the Dead River is the largest, a 40-foot drop across a 200-foot-wide river in the remote western mountains.
Where are most of Maine's waterfalls?
The Western Mountains region. Over half the named waterfalls in Maine are in the stretch running from Grafton Notch through Bethel, Rumford, Rangeley, and up to Carrabassett Valley. Grafton Notch State Park alone has three major falls within a few miles of each other.
Are there waterfalls in Acadia National Park?
Not significant ones. Acadia's terrain is coastal granite with limited watersheds, so the park has no famous waterfalls. If you are in Acadia and want to see a waterfall, the closest good options are a couple of hours west in the Moosehead or Western Mountains region.
What is the easiest waterfall to see in Maine?
Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park. Paved parking, a short paved path, and the falls are fully visible within 3 minutes of leaving your car. The state park charges a small day-use fee. Coos Canyon in Byron is equally easy and free.
Can you swim at Maine waterfalls?
At some, yes. Frenchman's Hole, Smalls Falls, Coos Canyon, Houston Brook Falls, and the pools inside Gulf Hagas are all legitimate swimming destinations. Screw Auger Falls and Angel Falls have shallow or dangerous pools and are not for swimming despite how they look. Always check depth before entering and never swim directly beneath an active waterfall.
When is the best time to photograph Maine waterfalls?
Late April through mid-May for peak flow, and mid-September through early October for foliage-framed shots. Spring gives you maximum water drama. Fall gives you color. Summer is lower flow and harsher overhead light.
Are Maine waterfalls free to visit?
Most are. Free spots include Smalls Falls, Coos Canyon, Snow Falls, Houston Brook Falls, Frenchman's Hole, and Rumford Falls. Grafton Notch State Park (Screw Auger, Mother Walker, Dunn) charges a small day-use fee. Gulf Hagas requires a North Maine Woods gate fee. Rattlesnake Pool needs a White Mountain National Forest parking pass. Baxter State Park charges a non-resident entry fee for Katahdin Stream Falls access.
Which waterfall is best for a first-time visitor to Maine?
Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park. Easy access, small entry fee, photogenic, and paired with two other nearby waterfalls (Mother Walker and Step Falls just outside the park) for a half-day waterfall tour. Throw in Frenchman's Hole on the same day and you have seen four of the best waterfalls in Maine in a single afternoon.
Plan Your Waterfall Trip
- Starting point for most visitors: Bethel or Rangeley. Both sit in the heart of the Western Mountains and put you within 30 minutes of multiple waterfalls.
- Pair waterfalls with swimming in our best swimming holes guide.
- Doing Gulf Hagas? Read the Gulf Hagas trail guide first.
- Going to Baxter? Katahdin Stream Falls is an easy add-on to any park trip.
- Driving Route 17 north? The Rangeley region guide covers the full Coos Canyon, Swift River, Smalls Falls corridor.
Image Credits
- Screw Auger Falls (hero): Doug Kerr (Dougtone), CC-BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Buttermilk Falls, Gulf Hagas: Andythrasher, CC-BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
