Step Falls, Maine: Parking, Trail, Swimming and Rules

Step Falls is a long chain of cascades, slides and shallow pools on Wight Brook in Newry, Maine, a few miles east of Grafton Notch State Park. It sits in a 24-acre preserve owned by the Mahoosuc Land Trust and reached by a short trail. It is one of the best swimming-hole waterfalls in the state, and it is popular enough that parking is the main problem. This guide covers where it is, parking, the trail, swimming, safety and the rules.

Step Falls at a Glance

• Where: Newry, Maine, on Route 26 (Bear River Road), just south of Grafton Notch State Park.
• Owner: the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The preserve is private land open to the public.
• The falls: a series of horsetails, cascades and slides. New England Waterfalls puts the total drop at about 250 feet, while a Tripadvisor review says almost 200 feet.
• The trail: short and uphill. Sources say about half a mile one way, and AllTrails lists 1.1 miles round trip with about 229 feet of climbing.
• Time: 30 minutes to an hour, longer if you swim.
• Cost: New England Waterfalls lists it as free in 2021, with a suggested $5 donation. Confirm with the land trust.
• Swimming: yes, in the pools below and between the cascades, with the safety rules below.
• Season: May to October is best, per New England Waterfalls. Spring has the most water, and summer flow is thinner.

How to Get to Step Falls

From Route 2 in Newry, turn onto Route 26 and drive north. The Maine Birding Trail says it is about 7.5 miles to the trailhead, which is on the east side of the Wight Brook bridge, just south of Grafton Notch State Park, at 1657 Bear River Road. That is a few miles before Screw Auger Falls on the same road.

Parking: Plan Ahead

Parking is the biggest issue at Step Falls. New England Waterfalls says the lot “routinely fills and closes to further visitors on hot days and weekends.” A 2020 Central Maine report said the lot holds about 32 vehicles. That year the land trust blocked the lot for about a month because of overcrowding, so conditions have changed before and could again.

Do not park on Route 26. The road is narrow and winding with little shoulder and truck traffic. The Sun Journal reported roadside parking and people crossing the road, and the Central Maine reported that illegally parked cars could be ticketed or towed. If the lot is full, come back at another time or visit nearby Screw Auger Falls instead. Early mornings and weekdays are easier.

The Trail

The trail follows Wight Brook uphill, beside the cascades, with side paths to the water. The Central Maine report called it an easy family hike, while AllTrails rates it moderate because of the climb. Expect roots, rock and wet footing. There is no wheelchair access, per New England Waterfalls.

Sources give different distances, from about 0.5 miles one way to a 3/4-mile trail on the land trust’s description. Counts vary with where people stop, so plan on a short walk with a steady climb.

Swimming and Water Slides

The pools are the draw. New England Waterfalls rates the swimming as excellent, with clear water and flat granite slabs along the edges. The largest pool is about 40 feet long by 12 feet wide. In summer the horsetails thin out into slides, and many spring water paths dry up, so flow depends on the season and recent rain.

• Scout before you get in. Wet granite is slippery, and pool depth changes with the flow.
• Never swim in pools above a waterfall. New England Waterfalls gives this rule, and the current can pull you over a drop.
• Don’t climb up or along the side of the falls, and stay well back from the edges.
• Be careful on the slides. The rock is smooth and the water is fast after rain.
• Supervise children closely.

Rules and Respecting the Preserve

• Stay within the preserve. The uppermost falls are off-limits and marked “permission required,” per New England Waterfalls. The Sun Journal described posted boundaries and warnings about trespassing on neighboring land.
• Dogs: New England Waterfalls says leashed dogs are allowed, but the older Maine Birding Trail page says dogs are not allowed. Check with the land trust before bringing one.
• Facilities: a 2016 report said there were no restrooms, so plan accordingly and pack out all trash.
• Hours: daytime only. Check the land trust for current hours.

When to Go

May to October is the usual window. Spring snowmelt gives the strongest flow, up to roughly 500 cubic feet per second per New England Waterfalls, but cold water and slippery rock. Summer has thinner falls and warmer pools, and also the biggest crowds, especially on hot weekends. For fewer people, try a weekday morning or a cooler day.

Pair It With Grafton Notch

Step Falls fits well with a day in Grafton Notch. Nearby are Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave, all covered in our Grafton Notch State Park guide. For more falls see best waterfalls in Maine, and for the nearest town see Bethel. Longer trails are in our Maine hiking guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Step Falls in Maine?

In Newry, on Route 26 (Bear River Road), just south of Grafton Notch State Park. It is about 7.5 miles north of Route 2, per the Maine Birding Trail.

How long is the hike to Step Falls?

Short. Sources say about half a mile to the main falls, and AllTrails lists 1.1 miles round trip with about 229 feet of climbing. Plan on 30 minutes to an hour.

Can you swim at Step Falls?

Yes, in the pools between and below the cascades. The rock is slippery, so scout each pool first, never swim above a waterfall and don’t climb on the falls.

Is there a fee to visit Step Falls?

It was listed as free in 2021 with a suggested $5 donation. Check with the Mahoosuc Land Trust for the current policy.

Can you bring a dog to Step Falls?

Sources disagree. One says leashed dogs are allowed and an older one says no. Check with the land trust first.

Where do you park for Step Falls?

In the preserve’s small lot, which holds about 32 vehicles according to a 2020 report and fills on hot days and weekends. Don’t park along Route 26.

When is the best time to visit Step Falls?

May to October. Spring has the most water, and summer is best for swimming, though it is also the most crowded.

Our details come from the Mahoosuc Land Trust, New England Waterfalls, the Maine Birding Trail and news reports from the Sun Journal and Central Maine. They differ on distances, height, dogs and dates, and some are several years old, so we give the range and flag what to confirm. Rules and parking change, so check the land trust before you go.