Grafton Notch Area Camping

Waterfalls, Gorges, and No Campground

Grafton Notch State Park covers 3,129 acres of dramatic terrain along Route 26 between Newry and Upton. The park has slot gorges, waterfalls you can walk to in under a minute, and trail access to Old Speck Mountain, the third tallest peak in Maine. What it does not have is a campground.

That catches people off guard. The park is a day-use area only. But there are solid camping options nearby, from a small private campground practically at the park entrance to backcountry sites along the Grafton Loop Trail and Appalachian Trail that put you deep in the mountains.

Where to Camp: Grafton Notch Campground

The primary option is Grafton Notch Campground, a small private operation with 15 wooded sites on Bear River just south of the state park entrance. Sites run $28 per night. Call (207) 824-2292 to reserve.

Only Site 1 has an electric hookup. The rest are basic tent and small-RV sites with fire rings and picnic tables. There are bathrooms with showers on site. No generators are allowed anywhere in the campground, which keeps things quiet.

The sites sit under a canopy of mixed hardwoods and conifers along the river. You can hear the water from most spots. The campground is small enough that it fills on summer weekends and peak foliage weekends, so call ahead rather than showing up and hoping.

Alternative: Stony Brook Recreation

If Grafton Notch Campground is full, Stony Brook Recreation in Hanover has about 50 sites with more amenities, including a swimming pool and playground. It is farther from the park (about 25 minutes south) but offers year-round camping and works well for families who want a more developed campground as a base.

Backcountry Camping: Grafton Loop Trail

The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38-mile loop that circles through the mountains surrounding the notch. Seven primitive campsites are spaced along the trail, each with a fire ring and space for a few tents. No water, no toilets, no fees, no reservations. First come, first served.

The trail is rugged. Expect steep climbs, exposed ridgelines, and stream crossings that can be tricky after rain. Most people do it as a 3 to 4 day backpacking trip. The campsites at higher elevations have outstanding views of the Mahoosuc Range, but they are exposed to weather and wind.

Backcountry Camping: Appalachian Trail

The AT runs through the park and over Old Speck Mountain. Several lean-to shelters are within a day’s hike:

• Carlo Col Shelter - On the AT between Goose Eye and Mount Carlo, about 4.5 miles from the Route 26 trailhead
• Full Goose Shelter - Between Goose Eye Mountain and Old Speck, exposed terrain nearby
• Speck Pond Shelter - At Speck Pond, the highest tarn in Maine (3,430 feet). The shelter has a caretaker and a $15/night fee in summer.
• Baldpate Lean-to - South of Old Speck, on the AT toward Andover
• Frye Notch Lean-to - Farther south on the AT, quieter and less trafficked

Speck Pond is the most popular and fills on summer weekends. The pond itself is worth the hike even if you are not staying overnight.

Park Highlights: Waterfalls and Gorges

Even if you are just camping nearby and doing day trips into the park, the waterfalls and gorges are the main draw.

Screw Auger Falls is a 23-foot waterfall that has carved a narrow gorge through the bedrock. It is a 0.1-mile walk from the parking area on a paved path. This is the most visited spot in the park and for good reason. The geology is striking.

Mother Walker Falls is a 40-foot gorge with sheer rock walls. A short trail leads to viewing platforms above the gorge. Less crowded than Screw Auger and equally impressive.

Moose Cave is a narrow slot gorge with moss-covered walls. The trail is short but can be slippery. Worth the quick detour.

Step Falls Preserve is technically outside the park (managed by The Nature Conservancy) but it is the swimming spot of the area. A series of cascades flow over smooth granite into cold, clear pools. Some of the upper pools have natural rock slides. This is where locals go on hot summer days.

Major Hikes

Old Speck Mountain (4,170 feet) is Maine’s third tallest peak. The AT route from Route 26 is about 7.6 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. An observation tower at the summit gives views across the Mahoosuc Range and into New Hampshire. The upper section is steep and rocky. Plan 5 to 7 hours for the round trip.

Table Rock (2.4 miles round trip) is the most popular day hike in the park. The trail climbs steeply through forest to a massive slab of rock jutting out over the notch. The views straight down into the valley are vertigo-inducing. The trail has some scrambling sections but nothing technical.

Eyebrow Loop follows the rim of a cliff above Screw Auger Falls. The trail includes ladder sections bolted into the rock face. It is short (about 1 mile) but intense, with real exposure in a few spots. Not recommended in wet conditions or for anyone uncomfortable with heights.

Wildlife and Moose

Route 26 through Grafton Notch is prime moose country. Dawn and dusk are the best times for sightings, especially in June when moose come to roadsides for mineral licks. Drive slowly. A moose collision at highway speed is a serious accident.

The Bear River corridor through the campground area also sees regular moose activity. Keep your distance. A cow moose with a calf is more dangerous than a black bear.

When to Go

The blackfly window from late May through mid-June is genuinely rough in this valley. If you can, wait until late June for summer camping. July and August are the sweet spot for combining camping, hiking, and swimming at Step Falls. September has fewer people and the foliage starts early at higher elevations.

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