A Slate Canyon on the Appalachian Trail
Little Wilson Falls is a series of waterfalls dropping through a deep slate gorge on Little Wilson Stream, in the Elliotsville township of Piscataquis County. The upper falls, the tallest and most dramatic of the series, cascades roughly 57 feet down layered slate ledges into a dark, narrow canyon with walls reaching up to 90 feet high. Below it, a middle falls drops about 25 feet, and the lower falls slides 18 feet into a large swimming hole. Together they form one of the most impressive waterfall complexes in Maine, hidden in the backcountry of the 100-Mile Wilderness.
The falls sit on a section of the Appalachian Trail. To reach them, you hike a blue-blazed access trail from the parking area to the AT, then follow the white blazes north to the gorge rim. The setting is remote and wild. There are no guardrails, no boardwalks, and no interpretive signs. You stand on slate ledges at the lip of a gorge and look down at the water churning through rock that has been splitting and eroding for millennia.
The slate walls of the gorge are steep, loose, and extremely slippery. People have been seriously injured climbing down to the base of the upper falls. Do not attempt to scramble down the gorge walls. The lower falls and swimming hole are accessible by a safer route downstream. The upper falls are best viewed from the rim.
The Hike
The trailhead is at the end of Little Wilson Falls Road, a rough gravel road that branches off Elliotsville Road about 7.5 miles from Monson. If your vehicle has high clearance, you can drive the 0.8-mile road to the day-use parking area at the end. Otherwise, park at the pulloff near the bridge over Wilson Stream on Elliotsville Road and walk the road to the trailhead, adding about 1.6 miles round trip to your hike.
From the trailhead, follow the blue-blazed access trail about 0.8 miles through mixed forest to its junction with the Appalachian Trail. Turn left (north) on the AT, following white blazes. In about 0.2 miles you reach the upper falls overlook. The round trip from the trailhead parking area is approximately 2.5 miles.
The trail gains roughly 475 feet of elevation over its length. The footing is rooted and rocky in places, typical of backcountry Maine trails. The final approach to the gorge requires careful footing on exposed slate ledges, where hiking boots with sticky, lugged soles give you the grip the polished slate does not. After rain, the slate is dangerously slick.
Most hikers stop at the upper falls overlook and turn around. If you continue downstream along the AT, a side path leads down to the lower falls and its deep swimming hole. The lower falls drops about 18 feet into a large pool that is deep enough for swimming. A rope swing hangs from a tree above the pool in summer. This is the safest and most accessible spot for getting in the water at Little Wilson.
The Falls
Upper Falls
The upper falls is the centerpiece. Little Wilson Stream pours over a series of slate shelves and drops roughly 57 feet into a narrow slot gorge. The slate walls on either side rise steeply, in some places reaching 90 feet above the stream bed. The layered, angular rock creates a dramatic backdrop, with each stratum visible in the gorge walls like pages of a book. When the stream is running high, the volume of water pouring into this narrow space is impressive and loud.
Middle Falls
Below the upper falls, the stream continues through the gorge and drops again about 25 feet over another set of slate ledges. This section is harder to access and less visited, but visible from certain points along the rim trail.
Lower Falls
The lower falls is a 18-foot slide drop where the gorge opens up and the stream spills into a large, deep pool. This is the swimming hole. The water is cold but the pool is deep enough for full immersion, and the surrounding ledges provide spots to sit and sun yourself. On hot summer days, this pool sees a handful of visitors, though it never feels crowded given the effort required to get here.
Monson is the last town before the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail. It has a general store, a few restaurants, and Shaw’s Hiker Hostel, which caters to AT thru-hikers. Fill your gas tank and grab food in Monson before heading to the trailhead. There are no services on Elliotsville Road.
When to Go
Spring
Peak water flow. The upper falls are at their most powerful. Trail is muddy and the access road can be rough. Black flies are intense in June.
Summer
Warm enough for swimming at the lower falls. Trail is in good condition. Water flow decreases by August.
Fall
Foliage in the gorge is beautiful against the dark slate. Cooler temperatures. Lower water flow.
Winter
Accessible with snowshoes. The falls may partially freeze. The access road is not plowed.
Late June through September is the best window. Spring brings the most dramatic water volume, but the combination of black flies, mud, and slippery slate makes the experience less pleasant, so do not head in during bug season without solid bug and tick protection. Summer offers the best balance of water flow, trail conditions, and swimming weather. Fall foliage in the hardwoods along the gorge is striking against the dark slate walls.
Packing List
Little Wilson Falls Hike
- Hiking boots with good traction (slate is slippery)
- Water shoes if planning to swim at the lower falls
- Camera (the gorge is extremely photogenic)
- Water and snacks (no water sources you'd want to drink from without filtering)
- Bug spray (essential June through July)
- Rain jacket
- Downloaded map or GPS (no cell service)
Getting There
From Monson, head north on Route 15 for about 0.5 miles, then turn left onto Elliotsville Road. Follow Elliotsville Road for approximately 7.5 miles. Look for Little Wilson Falls Road on the left, just before the bridge over Wilson Stream. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, drive the 0.8-mile gravel road to the trailhead parking. Otherwise, park at the pulloff near the bridge and walk the road.
From Bangor, take I-95 north to the Newport exit, then Route 7 north to Dexter and Route 23 north to Guilford and Monson. The drive takes about 90 minutes. From Portland, expect roughly 3.5 hours via I-95 and Route 15.
GPS coordinates for the falls: 45.3739, -69.4717
FAQ
How tall is Little Wilson Falls?
Little Wilson Falls is a series of three waterfalls. The upper falls drops approximately 57 feet through a slate gorge with walls up to 90 feet high. The middle falls drops about 25 feet, and the lower falls slides 18 feet into a swimming hole.
Can you swim at Little Wilson Falls?
Yes. The lower falls has a large, deep swimming pool that is popular in summer. A rope swing is sometimes available. The water is cold. The upper falls gorge is too dangerous for swimming due to steep walls and strong current.
How long is the hike to Little Wilson Falls?
From the trailhead parking area, the round trip is approximately 2.5 miles. If you park at the pulloff on Elliotsville Road instead, add about 1.6 miles for the walk down the gravel access road and back.
Is Little Wilson Falls on the Appalachian Trail?
Yes. The falls are accessed via the Appalachian Trail in the 100-Mile Wilderness section. You hike a blue-blazed access trail to the AT, then follow white blazes north to the gorge.
Do I need a high-clearance vehicle to reach Little Wilson Falls?
The 0.8-mile access road to the trailhead has large potholes and rough gravel. High clearance is recommended. If your vehicle cannot handle it, park at the pulloff on Elliotsville Road and walk the access road, adding about 0.8 miles each way.
