Best Waterfalls in Maine
Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no surprise that Maine is home to some of the most beautiful falls in the United States. With a wide range of landscapes including mountains, cliffs, farmland with miles of rolling hills, and of course rivers that run throughout. When you have elevation mixed with water ways, it leads to some of the most iconic falls waiting to be discovered.
Maine is a state people often don’t think about when planning a vacation, but well worth a visit when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors and chasing waterfalls.
Although there are hundreds of falls spread across the state, here are some of our favorite ones with options that including swimming holes, hiking or camping, and hopefully some that are a little lesser known for a bit of seclusion. Happy Exploring!
List of Top Waterfalls to Visit in Maine
1. Alder Stream Falls – Eustis, Maine
As one of the more iconic waterfalls to visit, Alder Stream has two different areas for you to explore it’s cascading waters. The upper area where most people tend to enjoy the picturesque views of surrounding wilderness and rushing waters drops roughly 20 feet down into a large pool where it then quickly enters the lower falls section for another 25 foot drop. The bottom canyon section is a little harder to get to with it’s steep and rough terrain, but locals have added a rope guide to help you down to the area.
Alder Stream Falls is well worth the adventure if you are looking for a few hours of outdoor hiking and adventure. Once you park at the designated area, it’s a very short and manageable hike to the waterfall.
2. Angel Falls – Franklin County, Maine
Also known as Angel Wing Falls, this majestic waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. Mountain Brook feeds the falls with an impressive 90 foot drop in cascading waters. The nickname Angel Wings actually comes from the way the water flows over the rocks in the shape of wings as it almost looks as though it’s falling from the sky.
There is ample parking at the trailhead that leads to Angel Falls. Although it’s a rather short hike, make sure you have the proper shoes as the constant water and humidity can make several sections quite slippery. As far as time of year, it’s best to visit the falls during the Spring to Fall months when the water is flowing at it’s highest. The picturesque views and surround wilderness is also best during the warmer months as their are great hiking trails in the area. If you are visiting Maine and only have time to chase one falls, it should be Angel Falls.
3. Dunn Falls – Oxford County, Maine
For those looking for a waterfall with a swimming hole, check out Dunn Waterfall in Oxford County. There are two different areas (upper and lower) for you to explore. The Upper Dunn Falls is fed from Ellis River and drops roughly 70 feet. As it cascades down it then hits the lower section where it drops another 80 feet. The surrounding landscape and forest provides scenic views no matter which area you visit, but we recommend heading to the lower section during the summer months as it has a great swimming hole to cool down.
It’s not the easiest trail to access Dunn Falls. As you follow Ellis River, there are some areas you need to take your time on as it can be quite slippery and steep. However, if you are willing to make the adventure you won’t be disappointed with one of the best waterfalls in Maine.
4. Grand Falls – Somerset County, Maine
When you think “Grand” Falls you probably are assuming it’s one of the highest waterfalls in the state. Unfortunately that isn’t the case as it only drops roughly 40 feet. What makes is grand and a very popular tourist attractions is the width of the falls as it covers over 120 feet (basically the width of the Dead River). Unlike some waterfalls where there are certain times of the year to go, Grand Falls can be access year round as the cascading water flows constantly.
It’s another easy hike once you park to access Grand Falls. There are several stops along the trail where you can stop for a picturesque view of the wilderness and cascading waters. If you are looking for a great day of adventure or even a weekend getaway, Grand Falls is the perfect destination.
5. Gulf Hagas Falls – Piscataquis County, Maine
For those seeking a more secluded waterfall where you don’t have to worry about crowds, Gulf Hagas Waterfall is the perfect destination. However, the reason for it’s isolation is due to the arduous journey to reach it. With almost a 9 mile hike with switchbacks and areas of steepness, many people turn this adventure into a weekend camping getaway to make sure they can spend enough time reconnecting with mother nature. In fact some people prefer just the hike as it provides some of the most iconic and scenic views Maine has to offer.
Once you reach Gulf Hagas Falls, you will see why it’s well worth the journey. Fed from Pleasant River, it’s wilderness backdrop and cascading waters will make you feel like you have entered a movie. The best part is after the 9 mile hike you can jump into the swimming hole to cool down and relax. The waters can be a little fast in the spring time after snow run off so be mindful of where you swim.
6. Hay Brook Falls – Piscataquis County, Maine
Another not so commonly visited waterfall in Maine is Hay Brook Falls. Situated in Bowdoin College, it’s another rather difficult hike and journey to access the cascading waters. The water flows down the rocks rather quickly with a total of roughly a 28 foot drop. It’s fed by Hay Brook River and is the ideal camping spot as it’s seclusion gives access to many campsites to post up.
It’s best to visit Hay Brook Falls in the summer months when Gulf Hagas trail is most easily traveled. There is also an off road trail if you have a 4WD vehicle in which you will find many outdoor enthusiasts enjoying.
7. Houston Brook Falls
Another iconic waterfall worth visiting in Maine is the Houston Brook Falls. It’s stair like cascading waters are fed from the Houston Brook and slowly drop a total of 32 feet. Why we have it in our top list of waterfalls is the breathtaking views that surround Houston Brook with wilderness, wildlife, and a great swimming hole to cool down in.
Once you park in the designated area, it’s just a short hike to reach the falls. The trail is flat and accessible to all ages, but can get slippery due to the constant mist that come up from the flowing water. For those looking for a fun day outdoors with a picturesque backdrop, make sure to put Houston Brook Falls on your bucket list.
8. Little Wilson Falls – Elliotsville, Maine
It’s not often you can find a waterfall that is comprised of three different sections that are all unique in their own ways. With a tiered structure fed from Little Wilson Stream, these falls are nestled in the perfect wilderness setting where the natural beauty will leave you feeling like you have traveled back in time where it is just you and mother nature.
The top falls is the most picturesque as it plunges almost 40 feet and has the look of a waterfall you’d expect to see. The middle section is about half the size falling just under 20 feet and the lowest section about 25. Although the top section is where you mind take the most photos, the middle and lower parts are where you can jump into the swimming holes to cool down and relax. It’s a short hike on the Appalachian Trail to reach the falls.
9. Moxie Falls – Somerset County, Maine
As the tallest waterfall in Maine, Moxie is a very popular tourist and local destination for those seeking a day of adventure. Situated in a fairly remote part of wilderness and fed by Moxie Gore River, it lends to some of the most beautiful landscapes and wildlife views in the entire state. It’s ease of accessibility with just a few minute hike once your park helps to draw in the crowds, especially on the weekends.
Moxie Falls drops at a height of 90 feet with the perfect cascading sounds of water as you relax below in the swimming hole. If you are bored sitting at home and trying to think of something to do, take a couple hours out of your day and go see this iconic waterfall.
10. Poplar Stream Falls – Sugarloaf Mountain Resort, Maine
Due to being nestled next to a ski resort, Poplar Stream is likely the most popular waterfall in the state. Not only is it the perfect way to start or end a day before/after hitting the slopes, it’s also the perfect destination in the summer months to relax in the cool waters as the cascading waters flow down from above.
Poplar Stream Falls is a combination of two different sections of cascading waters, both with swimming holes to enjoy. The top section has a decent drop of roughly 24 feet with a pool section that can host several people. As the water continues it then drops an additional 50 feet into a larger swimming hole that people often enjoy in the summer months.
Accessing the waterfalls is fairly straightforward. There is a hiking path just east of the resort with an iconic hut that offers several amenities for a more enjoyable experience.
Location of Waterfalls in Maine
Check out our Maine Waterfalls Map for even more locations and directions on some of the states best falls to visit. If you happen to find one during your adventures that we don’t have listed, let us know and we will add it asap.
The Best Waterfalls in Maine
- Alder Stream Falls
- Angel Falls
- Dunn Falls
- Grand Falls
- Gulf Hagas Falls
- Hay Brook Falls
- Houston Brook Falls
- Little Wilson Falls
- Moxie Falls
- Poplar Stream Falls
- Screw Auger Falls
- Smalls Falls
- Snow Falls
- Step Falls
- The Cascades
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