Best Waterfalls in Maine 2026: Hiking Guide & Swimming Holes
Maine's best waterfalls: Moxie Falls, Angel Falls, Screw Auger. Hiking directions and swimming spots.
Moxie Falls
Maine's highest accessible waterfall (90ft drop). A short, easy hike leads to viewing platforms.
View Moxie Falls GuideAngel Falls
A dramatic plunge near Rangeley where the water 'angels' out across the cliff face. 1.1 miles round trip, with stream crossings that can be impassable in high water.
Screw Auger Falls
Located in Grafton Notch State Park, this waterfall has carved deep, twisting potholes into the rock.
View Town InfoGrand Falls
A wide, blocky waterfall on the Dead River. It's remote and spectacular, especially during dam releases.
Dunn Falls
A series of cascades on the Appalachian Trail near Andover, perfect for a day hike.
Waterfall season peaks in April and May as the snowpack melts from the mountains. This is when the flow is most dramatic (thunderous, really). By August, many of these roaring giants turn into gentle trickles and swimming holes.
Common Questions
What is the tallest waterfall in Maine?
Moxie Falls near The Forks and Angel Falls near Rangeley are the two usually named. The Bureau of Parks and Lands trail listing gives Moxie a drop of nearly 90 feet; no land manager publishes a height for Angel Falls, which Maine Trail Finder calls one of the highest in Maine without ranking it. Treat any confident ranking between the two with suspicion. Both are most spectacular in spring when snowmelt increases water flow.
Can you swim at waterfalls in Maine?
Yes! Many Maine waterfalls have swimming holes. Screw Auger Falls (Grafton Notch) has pools for wading. Coos Canyon near Rangeley is famous for swimming. Gulf Hagas has multiple swimming spots. Water is cold year-round - expect 55-65°F even in summer.
What is the best time to see waterfalls in Maine?
April and May offer the most dramatic water flow as snowpack melts. Spring waterfalls are thunderous but trails can be muddy. By August, many falls reduce to trickles. Fall offers moderate flow with colorful foliage backdrop.
Are Maine waterfalls easy to hike to?
Difficulty varies widely. Moxie Falls is a 2-mile round trip that starts flat, and Maine's tourism office rates it intermediate. Screw Auger Falls is roadside in Grafton Notch. Angel Falls is 1.1 miles round trip with 200 feet of gain, easy to moderate, but it crosses streams by rock hopping and Maine Trail Finder warns they may be impassable in high water. Gulf Hagas involves 8+ miles of challenging terrain.
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