The Best Waterfalls in Maine: Moxie, Screw Auger, Step Falls and More

Maine’s waterfalls aren’t the tallest in the country, but they are among the most beautiful – tucked into gorges, mountain notches, and northern wilderness. After three decades running Maine’s resource guide, these are the ones worth the trip.

Looking for the best water to visit? See our guide to the best lakes in Maine, or get on the water yourself with the best kayaking in Maine.

The best waterfalls in Maine are Moxie Falls, Angel Falls, Screw Auger Falls, Step Falls, Smalls Falls, Gulf Hagas, and Houston Brook Falls. Moxie Falls is the tallest and most iconic, Screw Auger the most accessible, and Smalls Falls the best swimming hole. Each is covered below.

How we picked: we looked for falls with a real payoff and spread them across the Rangeley area, the western mountains, the North Woods and the Gulf Hagas country, mixing easy roadside stops with true hikes so there is a waterfall for every ability. Heights are approximate, and access on logging roads changes, so check conditions before you go.

Check the water first: streams run highest in spring and after heavy rain, and crossings on trails such as Angel Falls and Gulf Hagas can become dangerous or impassable at high water. Falls are also busiest on weekends, roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so if a lot is full, pick another trail.

Best Waterfalls by Type

• Tallest: Moxie Falls and Angel Falls, both around 90 feet
• Most accessible: Screw Auger Falls
• Best for swimming: Smalls Falls, Step Falls and Rattlesnake Pool
• Best for families: Step Falls and Screw Auger Falls
• Best waterfall hike: Gulf Hagas
• Quietest: Houston Brook Falls

1. Moxie Falls (The Forks)

Moxie Falls is the best and tallest waterfall in Maine. At around 90 feet, Moxie Falls near The Forks is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the state – and one of the most accessible, reached by an easy two-mile round-trip trail with viewing platforms. Quintessential northern Maine wilderness.

For the trail and what to expect, see our full Moxie Falls guide.

The trail is about a mile each way, with several wooden viewing platforms, and there is no fee. Dogs are allowed. To find it, turn onto Moxie Pond Road just before the Kennebec River bridge at The Forks; the trailhead is about 2.3 miles down on the left. Swim only with due caution.

2. Angel Falls (Rangeley)

Angel Falls is the most dramatic hidden waterfall. A roughly 90-foot plunge deep in the mountains near Rangeley, where the water fans out into an angel shape as it falls. A wooded hike in adds to the sense of discovery – a true hidden gem. The Height of Land overlook, also on Route 17, is . More trails nearby are in our Rangeley hiking guide.

Plan this one carefully. The trail is about 1.1 miles round trip with a few stream crossings you rock-hop, and slippery rocks and high water can make it hard going after rain. The gravel logging road in, Bemis Road, can be rough and steep, logging trucks have the right of way, and the road has been reported closed in the past, so confirm current access before you drive in.

3. Screw Auger Falls (Grafton Notch)

Screw Auger Falls is the most beautiful accessible waterfall. In Grafton Notch State Park near Bethel, Screw Auger Falls drops through a corkscrew gorge the Bear River has carved into smooth bedrock. A short, well-maintained path makes it one of Maine’s easiest and prettiest waterfalls to visit. The area around it, Grafton Notch State Park, is .

Do not confuse it with the Screw Auger Falls inside Gulf Hagas, a separate waterfall on a much longer hike (see below).

4. Step Falls (Newry)

Step Falls is the best waterfall for families. Near Newry, Step Falls staircases down granite ledges in a series of tiers and pools with swimming holes that are popular with families. The walk is about half a mile each way and is rooty and steep in places, so it is easy but not effortless.

For parking, the trail, swimming and rules, see our full Step Falls guide.

Step Falls sits in a small preserve near Grafton Notch State Park, and the trail ends at a fence marking private property. It is likely to be crowded on hot summer days, so go early.

5. Smalls Falls (Rangeley)

Smalls Falls is the best waterfall swimming hole. Along Route 4 near Rangeley, Smalls Falls cascades into a pristine pool – one of Maine’s most beloved and accessible swimming-hole waterfalls, with a short trail and viewing areas.

For the trail, swimming and safety, see our full Smalls Falls guide.

6. Gulf Hagas (100-Mile Wilderness)

Gulf Hagas is the best waterfall hike. Called the Grand Canyon of Maine, Gulf Hagas is a slate canyon with a series of waterfalls – Screw Auger, Buttermilk, Billings, and more – along the West Branch Pleasant River. A remote, rewarding day hike, and one of the stops in our best hikes in Maine.

For the loop, fees and safety, see our full Gulf Hagas guide.

The full loop is about 8 miles, and the main trailhead requires fording the West Branch of the Pleasant River, which has no bridge and is often knee-deep. At high water, such as in spring or after heavy rain, use the Head of the Gulf lot, which has a bridge. A day-use fee is collected at the KI-Jo Mary checkpoint on the Katahdin Iron Works Road, so confirm the current rate before you go. Logging trucks have the right of way, cell service is unreliable, and bikes, camping and fires are not allowed.

7. Houston Brook Falls (Pleasant Ridge)

Houston Brook Falls is the best quiet waterfall. A 40-foot cascade with a deep pool reached by a flat ten-minute walk near Moxie Falls – a locals’ favorite with an off-the-beaten-path feel even on busy weekends.

Best Waterfalls for Swimming

Many of Maine’s best waterfalls double as swimming holes. These are the ones most often recommended for a summer dip:

• Screw Auger Falls (Grafton Notch): a popular pool at the base of the falls, with an easy walk from the parking area.
• Step Falls (Newry): a series of small drops and pools that are good for wading and cooling off.
• Smalls Falls (Rangeley area): a string of cascades and pools beside a roadside rest area.
• Rattlesnake Pool (Carrabassett Valley): a deep pool fed by a waterfall near the ski country around Sugarloaf, and a favorite summer swimming spot.
• Gulf Hagas: a longer hike with pools along the way, best for confident hikers.

Safety: Maine’s rivers stay cold even in July and run fast after rain. Rocks near falls are slippery, so stay away from the top of any drop, check the depth before you jump, and skip swimming after heavy rain.

More Maine Waterfalls Worth a Stop

Maine has hundreds of named waterfalls. These three are easy to add to a trip.

Rumford Falls (Rumford)

A large drop on the Androscoggin River, right in the middle of town. You can see it without hiking, which makes it an easy stop on the way to the western mountains.

Snow Falls (West Paris)

A small gorge reached by a short walk from the parking area, good for families and for a quick stop in the western foothills.

Katahdin Stream Falls (Baxter State Park)

A short walk from Katahdin Stream Campground inside Baxter State Park. Park entry rules and fees apply, so check Baxter’s current requirements, covered in our Baxter State Park guide, before you go.

Best Waterfalls in Maine: FAQ

What is the tallest waterfall in Maine?

Moxie Falls near The Forks and Angel Falls near Rangeley are the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Maine, both around 90 feet. Moxie Falls is the more accessible of the two, reached by an easy two-mile round-trip trail.

What is the most accessible waterfall in Maine?

Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park is the most accessible waterfall in Maine, reached by a short path right off Route 26. Smalls Falls is also an easy walk with viewing areas.

What is the best waterfall for swimming in Maine?

Smalls Falls near Rangeley is the best waterfall swimming hole in Maine, with Step Falls in Newry and Rattlesnake Pool in the Carrabassett Valley close behind. Maine’s rivers stay cold even in summer, so check the depth before you jump.

What are the best waterfalls in Maine for families?

Step Falls in Newry and Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch are the best for families. Screw Auger is a short, easy path, while Step Falls is about a half mile each way and rooty and steep in places. Snow Falls in West Paris is a good quick stop in the western foothills.

When is the best time to see Maine waterfalls?

Spring (May and June) brings the highest flow from snowmelt. Summer is best for swimming holes as flows drop and pools clear. Fall frames the falls in foliage. The bigger drops like Moxie and Angel hold their flow best through the season.

How do you get to Angel Falls?

Angel Falls is reached by a gravel logging road, Bemis Road, that can be rough and steep, followed by a trail of about 1.1 miles round trip with a few stream crossings. The road has been reported closed in the past, so confirm current access before you drive in, and skip the crossings after heavy rain.

Do you need to pay to visit Gulf Hagas?

Yes, a day-use fee is collected at the KI-Jo Mary checkpoint on the Katahdin Iron Works Road, and rates change, so confirm the current amount before you go. At the main trailhead you also have to ford the West Branch of the Pleasant River, so at high water use the Head of the Gulf lot, which has a bridge.

See also our best hikes in Maine, best state parks, and best scenic drives. MaineGuide.com has been Maine’s resource guide since 1995.

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Our details come from Maine Trail Finder (Gulf Hagas, Moxie Falls and Angel Falls) and Maine By Foot, checked in October 2026. Fees, road access and water levels change, so confirm before you go.