A Gorge You Can Walk To From Your Car
Screw Auger Falls sits right along Route 26 in Grafton Notch State Park, about a mile inside the park’s eastern entrance. The Bear River drops 23 feet through a narrow gorge it has carved through bedrock over thousands of years, creating a series of potholes, chutes, and pools that look like they belong in a geology textbook. The name comes from the screw-like spiral pattern the water has worn into the rock, resembling the bore of an old-fashioned auger tool.
What makes this place special is accessibility. You park, walk about 100 yards down a well-maintained path with guard rails, and you are standing above a gorge with swirling water, smooth rock formations, and natural swimming holes. No gear required. No fitness test. Families with small children, people with limited mobility, and anyone who just wants to see something beautiful without committing to a full hike can enjoy this spot.
The rocks around the gorge and swimming holes are polished smooth by the river and are extremely slippery when wet. Wear shoes with good grip if you plan to explore below the main viewing area. Several visitors have been injured slipping on the wet ledges. Watch children closely near the water.
The Falls and the Gorge
The main drop is 23 feet, but the real attraction is what the water has done to the rock over millennia. The Bear River has carved deep, circular potholes into the granite, some of them several feet across and perfectly round. Below the main falls, the river continues through a series of cascades, pools, and grottoes that extend downstream for several hundred feet.
The potholes formed through a process called pothole erosion, where trapped stones and gravel spin in eddies, grinding circular depressions into the bedrock. Some of the potholes here are textbook examples of the process, and interpretive signs at the site explain the geology.
Below the falls, the gorge opens up into wider pools that are deep enough for swimming in summer. The water is cold, fed by mountain streams, but on a hot July afternoon it is a welcome relief. The rock ledges along the river provide natural spots to sit, sun yourself, and watch the water flow past.
Screw Auger Falls is just one of several geological attractions along Route 26 in Grafton Notch. Within a few miles you can also visit Mother Walker Falls (a narrow slab waterfall), Moose Cave (a deep rock gorge), and the Spruce Meadow picnic area. All have short, easy paths from roadside parking areas. You could see all of them in a single morning and still have time to hike Old Speck in the afternoon.
Swimming at Screw Auger Falls
The pools below the main falls are the main draw in summer. The deepest pools sit downstream of the primary cascade, where the river widens and slows. On a warm weekend, you will find families spread out on the rock ledges with towels and coolers.
The water temperature stays cold through the season, typically in the upper 50s to low 60s even in August. It is refreshing, not warm. Shoes with grip are essential on the wet rocks. Water shoes or sport sandals with rubber soles work well. Do not go barefoot on the polished granite.
There are no lifeguards. The depth varies depending on water levels, and submerged rocks can be hard to see. Wade in gradually and check the depth before jumping or diving.
When to Go
Spring
High water makes the falls dramatic. Too cold for swimming. Park opens in May.
Summer
Warm enough for swimming. Full facilities open. Popular on weekends.
Fall
Foliage in the notch is spectacular. Water levels lower. Swimming unlikely.
Winter
Route 26 through Grafton Notch is closed in winter.
Summer is the prime season if swimming is your goal. July and August offer the warmest air temperatures, and while the water never gets truly warm, the combination of sun-heated rock and cold pools is part of the appeal. Weekends get busy. Midweek visits are significantly quieter.
Spring brings the highest water volume. Snowmelt from the surrounding mountains feeds the Bear River heavily through May and into June. The falls are more powerful and dramatic, but the water is too cold for comfortable swimming and the rocks are especially slippery.
Fall foliage in Grafton Notch is outstanding. The narrow valley funnels color, and the hardwoods surrounding the falls turn brilliant orange and gold in late September. Water levels are lower, which actually makes the rock formations and potholes easier to see and photograph.
Practical Notes
Grafton Notch State Park charges a day-use fee for out-of-state vehicles ($4 per adult, $1 for children 5-11). Maine-registered vehicles enter free. The fee station is on the honor system at some sites, so bring cash. There are pit toilets at the Screw Auger Falls parking area but no running water.
The parking area holds about 15 cars and sits directly on Route 26. There is no long approach road. When the lot is full, there is limited shoulder parking, but the road is narrow and visibility around curves can be poor. Arrive early on summer weekends.
Picnic tables are available near the parking area. This is a good lunch stop if you are driving through the notch.
Packing List
Screw Auger Falls Visit
- Water shoes or sport sandals with grip (essential for wet rocks)
- Towel and swimsuit (summer visits)
- Camera (the potholes and gorge are very photogenic)
- Picnic lunch (tables available)
- Cash for day-use fee (out-of-state vehicles)
- Sunscreen (the rock ledges reflect heat)
Getting There
Screw Auger Falls is located on Route 26 in Grafton Notch State Park, about 13.5 miles north of Bethel, Maine. From the intersection of US Route 2 and ME Route 26 in Newry, follow Route 26 north approximately 9 miles. The signed parking area is on the right side of the road, about one mile past the park’s eastern entrance.
From Portland, take the Maine Turnpike (I-95) to Auburn, then Route 26 north through Norway, South Paris, and Bethel. Total drive time is about 2.5 hours.
From Bangor, take I-95 south to Augusta, then Route 27 north to Route 2 west through Rumford to Bethel, and north on Route 26. About 3 hours total.
GPS coordinates for the parking area: 44.5721, -70.9027
FAQ
Can you swim at Screw Auger Falls?
Yes, the pools below the main falls are popular for swimming in summer. The water is cold (upper 50s to low 60s) but refreshing on hot days. Wear shoes with grip on the wet rocks. There are no lifeguards.
How far is the walk to Screw Auger Falls?
The path from the parking area to the falls overlook is about 0.1 miles (100 yards) on a maintained trail with guard rails. It is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Maine.
Is there a fee to visit Screw Auger Falls?
Screw Auger Falls is in Grafton Notch State Park. Vehicles with Maine plates enter free. Out-of-state vehicles pay $4 per adult and $1 per child (ages 5-11). Children under 5 are free.
What is the difference between the two Screw Auger Falls in Maine?
There are two waterfalls named Screw Auger Falls in Maine. This one is in Grafton Notch State Park on the Bear River. The other is in Gulf Hagas, on the West Branch of the Pleasant River near Greenville. They are completely different locations about 80 miles apart.
Is Grafton Notch open in winter?
No. Route 26 through Grafton Notch is closed to vehicle traffic during winter months, typically from late November through April. The park and its attractions, including Screw Auger Falls, are inaccessible by car during this time.
