High on our list every year is getting out to explore more Maine waterfalls. Every season offers something different. Winter provides iced over beauties, summer sparkling waters under blue sky, or big and swollen with the waters from the spring melt. And no matter what time of year, there’s nothing more incredible than a waterfall rushing. Here are our picks for the Maine waterfalls that might be the best of the best!
- Riverside Walking Trail and Overlook, Rumford
dougtone / Flickr If you’re looking for easy, like so easy that all you need to do is park the car, then you’ll absolutely love this one. In downtown Rumford you’ll find this wonderful walking trail that will bring you right to the Androscoggin River, where you’ll come face to face with this beautiful waterfall in Maine. If you want to read about more easy to access waterfalls, we love 4 Gorgeous Maine Waterfalls Hiding In Plain Sight With No Hiking Required. Riverside Walking Trail and Overlook, Rumford, ME 04276, USA
- Step Falls Trail, Newry
binkley27 / Flickr This is another hikeable waterfall and it’s one of the highest waterfalls in Maine. A 1-mile hike leads directly to the base of the falls, allowing you to gaze up in wonder. There’s also a slightly more challenging route hike that will take you to the top. The trail follows along Wight Brook and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and swimming. Overall, you should expect to spend about 45 minutes on this hike, with the gorgeous payoff of this waterfall at the end. If you want to learn more about the best waterfall hike in Maine, read about how this An Easy But Gorgeous Hike, Step Falls Hiking Trail Leads To A Little-Known Waterfall In Maine. Step Falls Hiking Trail, 1657 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
- The Cataracts, Oxford County
binkley27 / Flickr Not unlike the rest of the falls on this list, these are the best to see in early spring when the snow melts. The increase in water makes these falls roar! If you can’t make it now, rest assured that you’ll still have a good time scrambling around the rocks any time of year. Together, the individual falls total about 100’, and they’re perfect to enjoy swimming and sliding around when it’s warm enough. If you’re looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in Maine, then you need to read more about Maine’s Most Refreshing Hike Will Lead You Straight To A Beautiful Swimming Hole. The Cataracts, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
- Screw Auger Falls, Oxford County
dougtone / Flickr These Bear River-sourced falls include two impressive drops. The first is a 30’ drop over a granite ledge into a gorge. The second is just below the first and features another 30’ drop. These are heavily visited in the summer, but you can’t swim here, so try to visit when the water is high to enjoy it at its best. Screw Auger Falls in Maine is a fantastic waterfall to visit when you’re in the area. To learn more about it, read how to Take The Simple Screw Auger Trail To A Double Waterfall In Maine. Screw Auger Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
- Upper AND Lower Dunn Falls, Andover
binkley27 / Flickr With one hike you can reach two incredible waterfalls making this set of falls one of our favorites. The journey to reach them is challenging, but rewarding. You’ll be starting on the Appalachian Trail, following blue blazes. Look out for thru hikers so you can quickly judge yourself for your lack of motivation. Kidding! Keep going! Must of the trail follows a stream, making it beautiful all along the way. To find out the exact instructions for this hike, make sure to read about how The Hike In Maine That Takes You To Not One, But TWO Insanely Beautiful Waterfalls. Dunn Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
- Snow Falls, Oxford County
Mark Boutilier / Flickr There are four cascade sets here, all of which flow from the Little Androscoggin River. When the river’s roaring so are the falls, which makes this a great place to see just after a rain. Snow Falls in Maine is a great waterfall to see in person. If you have a little extra time on your hands, make sure to check out This Waterfall Road Trip in Maine Will Take You To Spectacular Places. Snow Falls Gorge, West Paris, ME 04289, USA
- Coos Canyon, Oxford County
binkley27 / Flickr Visible from Route 17 scenic highway is Coos Canyon. Coos is a great place to spend the day. In the summer, you can wade in the waters or jump on in. It’s perfectly fine to opt for staying dry with a picnic in the connected park, too. When things begin to melt, you can easily pull over to take a look if you want to make this one a quick stop. If you need more convincing, read all about why You’ll Want To Spend All Day At Coos Canyon, A Waterfall-Fed Pool In Maine. Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USA
- Angel Falls, Franklin County
Michelle Starin These 90’ plunging falls come from the Mountain Brook and take about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail. You won’t be able to swim here, but it’s just as well because you’re likely to be here when it’s still chilly if you want to see the greatest rush of water. But this waterfall is incredibly powerful, so make sure that you Plan A Visit To Angel Falls, Maine’s Beautifully Blue Waterfall. Angel Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04275, USA
- Rumford Falls, Rumford
binkley27 / Flickr Perhaps overlooked as one of Maine’s best falls simply because it doesn’t have the same name recognition as the others, this one is a bit of a hidden gem. These falls were originally called Pennacook Falls and are created from a series of drops within the Androscoggin River. The river drops about 176 feet, but the creation of dams has split the cascades into several distinct falls. The Upper Falls are the most impressive during high water time. Looking for more waterfalls like Rumford Falls in Maine? Make sure to add these 4 Gorgeous Maine Waterfalls Hiding In Plain Sight With No Hiking Required. Rumford Falls, Rumford, ME 04276, USA
- Smalls Falls, Oxford County
signor_dynamite / Flickr There are four individual cascades here, all sourced by the Sandy River. In the summer there are lots of places to swim in the classic swimming hole. If you make the trip in the summer be sure to add in some time for getting in the water. But, remember that the extra rush of water will likely be gone my mid-summer so you’ll want to get there in the spring, too. If you’re looking for great waterfall hiking trails in Maine, this should be at the top of your list. Read why Everyone In Maine Must Visit This Epic Waterfall As Soon As Possible. Smalls Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04970, USA
Have you seen any of these Maine waterfalls near me? What did you think? Are there any great waterfalls that we missed that we should add? Let us know in the comments below!
dougtone / Flickr
If you’re looking for easy, like so easy that all you need to do is park the car, then you’ll absolutely love this one. In downtown Rumford you’ll find this wonderful walking trail that will bring you right to the Androscoggin River, where you’ll come face to face with this beautiful waterfall in Maine. If you want to read about more easy to access waterfalls, we love 4 Gorgeous Maine Waterfalls Hiding In Plain Sight With No Hiking Required.
Riverside Walking Trail and Overlook, Rumford, ME 04276, USA
binkley27 / Flickr
This is another hikeable waterfall and it’s one of the highest waterfalls in Maine. A 1-mile hike leads directly to the base of the falls, allowing you to gaze up in wonder. There’s also a slightly more challenging route hike that will take you to the top. The trail follows along Wight Brook and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and swimming. Overall, you should expect to spend about 45 minutes on this hike, with the gorgeous payoff of this waterfall at the end. If you want to learn more about the best waterfall hike in Maine, read about how this An Easy But Gorgeous Hike, Step Falls Hiking Trail Leads To A Little-Known Waterfall In Maine.
Step Falls Hiking Trail, 1657 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, USA
Not unlike the rest of the falls on this list, these are the best to see in early spring when the snow melts. The increase in water makes these falls roar! If you can’t make it now, rest assured that you’ll still have a good time scrambling around the rocks any time of year. Together, the individual falls total about 100’, and they’re perfect to enjoy swimming and sliding around when it’s warm enough. If you’re looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in Maine, then you need to read more about Maine’s Most Refreshing Hike Will Lead You Straight To A Beautiful Swimming Hole.
The Cataracts, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
These Bear River-sourced falls include two impressive drops. The first is a 30’ drop over a granite ledge into a gorge. The second is just below the first and features another 30’ drop. These are heavily visited in the summer, but you can’t swim here, so try to visit when the water is high to enjoy it at its best. Screw Auger Falls in Maine is a fantastic waterfall to visit when you’re in the area. To learn more about it, read how to Take The Simple Screw Auger Trail To A Double Waterfall In Maine.
Screw Auger Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
With one hike you can reach two incredible waterfalls making this set of falls one of our favorites. The journey to reach them is challenging, but rewarding. You’ll be starting on the Appalachian Trail, following blue blazes. Look out for thru hikers so you can quickly judge yourself for your lack of motivation. Kidding! Keep going! Must of the trail follows a stream, making it beautiful all along the way. To find out the exact instructions for this hike, make sure to read about how The Hike In Maine That Takes You To Not One, But TWO Insanely Beautiful Waterfalls.
Dunn Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
Mark Boutilier / Flickr
There are four cascade sets here, all of which flow from the Little Androscoggin River. When the river’s roaring so are the falls, which makes this a great place to see just after a rain. Snow Falls in Maine is a great waterfall to see in person. If you have a little extra time on your hands, make sure to check out This Waterfall Road Trip in Maine Will Take You To Spectacular Places.
Snow Falls Gorge, West Paris, ME 04289, USA
Visible from Route 17 scenic highway is Coos Canyon. Coos is a great place to spend the day. In the summer, you can wade in the waters or jump on in. It’s perfectly fine to opt for staying dry with a picnic in the connected park, too. When things begin to melt, you can easily pull over to take a look if you want to make this one a quick stop. If you need more convincing, read all about why You’ll Want To Spend All Day At Coos Canyon, A Waterfall-Fed Pool In Maine.
Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USA
Michelle Starin
These 90’ plunging falls come from the Mountain Brook and take about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail. You won’t be able to swim here, but it’s just as well because you’re likely to be here when it’s still chilly if you want to see the greatest rush of water. But this waterfall is incredibly powerful, so make sure that you Plan A Visit To Angel Falls, Maine’s Beautifully Blue Waterfall.
Angel Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04275, USA
Perhaps overlooked as one of Maine’s best falls simply because it doesn’t have the same name recognition as the others, this one is a bit of a hidden gem. These falls were originally called Pennacook Falls and are created from a series of drops within the Androscoggin River. The river drops about 176 feet, but the creation of dams has split the cascades into several distinct falls. The Upper Falls are the most impressive during high water time. Looking for more waterfalls like Rumford Falls in Maine? Make sure to add these 4 Gorgeous Maine Waterfalls Hiding In Plain Sight With No Hiking Required.
Rumford Falls, Rumford, ME 04276, USA
signor_dynamite / Flickr
There are four individual cascades here, all sourced by the Sandy River. In the summer there are lots of places to swim in the classic swimming hole. If you make the trip in the summer be sure to add in some time for getting in the water. But, remember that the extra rush of water will likely be gone my mid-summer so you’ll want to get there in the spring, too. If you’re looking for great waterfall hiking trails in Maine, this should be at the top of your list. Read why Everyone In Maine Must Visit This Epic Waterfall As Soon As Possible.
Smalls Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04970, USA
Another wonderful outdoor attraction in Maine is this natural phenomenon resulting in, what appears to be, a reversing waterfall! Check out this The Mysterious Hidden Gem Attraction In Maine You Never Even Knew Existed.
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Address: Maine, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine Waterfalls Near Me May 06, 2022 Megan McDonald How many waterfall trails are in Maine? Maine has over 91 documented waterfall hikes throughout the state, all of which are guaranteed to showcase something really special. And the best part of so many hikes? There’s most likely one near you! What is the biggest waterfall in Maine? Moxie Falls is the tallest waterfall in Maine, located at the end of a charming one mile hike. It tops out at almost 100 feet high, and is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine Waterfalls Near Me
May 06, 2022
Megan McDonald
How many waterfall trails are in Maine? Maine has over 91 documented waterfall hikes throughout the state, all of which are guaranteed to showcase something really special. And the best part of so many hikes? There’s most likely one near you! What is the biggest waterfall in Maine? Moxie Falls is the tallest waterfall in Maine, located at the end of a charming one mile hike. It tops out at almost 100 feet high, and is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine has over 91 documented waterfall hikes throughout the state, all of which are guaranteed to showcase something really special. And the best part of so many hikes? There’s most likely one near you!
What is the biggest waterfall in Maine?
Moxie Falls is the tallest waterfall in Maine, located at the end of a charming one mile hike. It tops out at almost 100 feet high, and is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the state.