A Wilderness Landmark on the Moose River
Holeb Falls is a drop of roughly 20 to 30 feet where the Moose River, one of the most scenic rivers in Maine, pours over a ledge in remote Holeb Township near Jackman. It is best known as a landmark on the Moose River Bow Trip, the classic 34-mile canoe loop that threads through Attean and Holeb ponds and back to the start with no shuttle needed. Paddlers spend days working through lakes and quiet river miles, and the falls are one of the defining features of the route.
There is no easy way to drive here. By most accounts the falls are reachable only by canoe on the Bow Trip, with the faint possibility of a long bushwhack from a logging road for the determined. For nearly everyone, Holeb Falls is something you reach the same way generations of canoeists have: by paddling to it.
The Portage
You do not run Holeb Falls. The Bow Trip includes a mandatory portage of roughly a third of a mile around the falls. The carry passes tenting options and a cabin provided by the timber company that owns the surrounding land, and it finishes at the wide Holeb Pool in the Moose River, just below the foot of the falls. With campsites at the portage, the falls make a natural overnight stop on a multi-day loop.
Take out well above the falls. The current builds as the river approaches the falls, and going over it is fatal. Watch for the portage takeout and signs, especially in high water, and do not cut it close. This is remote country with no cell service and slow rescue, so paddle within your ability and keep an eye on the river level.
Getting There
You reach Holeb Falls by paddling the Moose River Bow Trip, which most people start from Holeb Landing or the Jackman public boat launch on Wood Pond. The loop combines lake and river paddling with several portages, and the carry around Holeb Falls comes well into the trip. Access to the put-ins is over private logging roads in the North Maine Woods near Jackman, where gravel drives and gate fees are normal.
This is a planned multi-day canoe trip, not a roadside stop. Sort out your fire permits, campsites, and gear before you launch, and expect no services once you are on the water.
Plan to camp at or near Holeb Falls if your schedule allows. The portage passes tenting sites, and spending a night by the falls is one of the highlights of the Bow Trip. Sites are first-come, so build some flexibility into your nightly plan.
When to Visit
Spring
High, cold water from snowmelt makes the falls roar but the river more demanding. Bugs are arriving and mud season can slow the logging-road approach.
Summer
The main season for the Bow Trip. Warmer water, settled weather, and the most reliable conditions for the multi-day loop.
Fall
Cool air, fewer bugs, and foliage along the Moose River. Shorter days mean trips should be timed before the cold arrives.
Winter
Not a winter destination. Snow, ice, and remoteness put the falls and the Bow Trip out of reach for paddling.
The falls run year-round, but access is set by the open-water paddling season. Midsummer through early fall is the realistic window for a Bow Trip that takes you past Holeb Falls.
Packing List
Holeb Falls (Moose River Bow Trip)
- Properly fitted life jacket for every paddler
- Dry bags for gear and food
- Water filter or purification
- Strong bug protection (head net, repellent)
- Fire permit for campsites
- Map of the Moose River Bow Trip and portages
- First aid kit and a satellite messenger
- Food for the full multi-day loop
FAQ
How tall is Holeb Falls?
Published figures range from 20 to 30 feet. The Moose River drops over a ledge here in remote Holeb Township near Jackman.
Can you drive to Holeb Falls?
Not really. The falls are reached by canoe on the Moose River Bow Trip. A long bushwhack from a logging road is the only foot alternative, and it is not practical for most visitors.
Do you portage around the falls?
Yes. The Bow Trip includes a mandatory portage of roughly a third of a mile around Holeb Falls, ending at the Holeb Pool just below the falls. There are campsites along the carry.
What is the Moose River Bow Trip?
A 34-mile canoe loop near Jackman that returns to its start with no shuttle, looping through Attean and Holeb ponds. Holeb Falls is one of its landmarks, usually paddled over a few days.
Do I need a permit?
A fire permit is required for campsites along the route, from the Maine Forest Service. Logging-road gate fees may also apply in the North Maine Woods.
For the full route, see the Moose River Bow Trip and Attean Pond.
