Angel Falls
Located on Mountain Brook in Township D in Franklin County, this waterfall is breathtakingly scenic, with plunging tiers totaling 90 feet in height and surrounding cliffs reaching 115 feet. Rushing water flows out of a 25-foot-wide gap in the cliff, and when the water flow is right, the falls resemble an angel.Type: plunge | Height: 90 feet | Source: Mountain BrookTrail Length: 0.8 mile to the falls | Trail Difficulty: easy to moderateAltitude Gain: down 50 feet, up 150 feetHiking Time: 30 minutes
Dunn Falls
Dunn Falls, in Andover North Surplus Twp, is one of the highest-rated waterfalls in Maine, with lower and upper Dunn Falls as well as half a dozen smaller, unnamed cascades. Only miniature horsetails and cascades will be spotted before you reach the side trail to view Dunn Falls. The nearly vertical 80-foot drop of lower Dunn Falls and rock walls up to 100 feet in height on opposite sides of the falls make the area strikingly scenic.Just before the upper falls is a pair of lovely rocky-bottomed pools with small falls cascading into them; behind the pools are the 50-foot Upper Falls. Although half-hidden by the forest, this fanning horsetail is well worth the hike.Type: horsetails and fansHeight: lower falls is 80 feet; upper falls is 50 feetTrail Length: 2.0 mile loopAltitude Gain: up 250 feet, down 250 feetHiking Time: 90 minutes
Ellis Falls
Ellis Falls location, just over 2 miles east of Andover, makes it centrally located on a waterfall adventure. At the top of the falls is a 5-foot-tall, 5-foot-wide boulder from which the falls horsetail and cascade drop 17 feet into the pool below.Less visited than its more impressive neighbors, Ellis Falls is a little tricky to find without directions. This makers it a good choice on days when other waterfalls are over-visited. The parking area is a simple pull-off.Type: horsetailsHeight: 22-foot total dropTrail Length: roadsideAltitude Gain: noneHiking Time: none
Mad River Falls
Mad River Falls, in Batchelders Grant, consists of several horsetails falling into a pool below. Note: getting too close to the falls is dangerous, and photography is not an option because of lush tree cover.Type: horsetailsHeight: 100-foot total dropTrail Length: 1.6 miles to the fallsAltitude Gain: plus 300 feetHiking Time: 45 minutes
Poplar Stream Falls
Poplar Stream Falls is accessible by a rough dirt road and a hike through a logging area in Carrabasset Valley. Accessible by ATV, mountain bike, or hiking, they consist of two drops on two different streams. Just off the trail, the upper section is a 24-foot horsetail with a pool below. The lower falls, a 51-foot horsetail on South Brook, require a strenuous hike to reach.Type: horsetailsHeight: upper falls is 24 feet; lower falls is 51 feetTrail Length: 2.0 milesAltitude Gain: plus 250 feetHiking Time: 60 minutes
Rumford Falls
Rumford Falls, originally referred to as Pennacook Falls or New Pennacook Falls, is a chain of huge drops of the Androscoggin River. Although the original waterfall dropped 176 feet, dams have split the falls into several distinct sections. The beauty of the scenic upper falls is worth visiting, and the lake it creates below offers excellent fishing for three species of trout and landlocked salmon. Type: cascadesHeight: 176-foot total dropTrail Length: roadside
Screw Auger Falls
Located in Grafton Notch State Park, Screw Auger Falls is a 20-foot curtain of whitewater ove a broad granite ledge into a gorge. Below the main plunge, the Bear River travels through a winding gorge, dropping an additional 30 feet in a series of cascades past giant potholes, shallow pools, and grottoes.The falls are heavily visited. On a hot day in early July, one is likely to see a hundred other visitors enjoying its sunny ledges and sunbathing spots, or exploring above and below the gorge. There are several picnic tables, bathrooms, and a large parking area. Open daily 9 AM-sunset.Type: plunges and cascadesHeight: plunge is 20 feetTrail Length: less than 0.1 mile
Smalls Falls
The “Smalls Falls Rest Area” south of Rangeley is the gateway to Smalls Falls, with its scenic waterfall, gorge, and swimming holes. Due to a widening of the Sandy River above, this waterfall is impressive even during dry spells, with plenty of places to sit along the gorge walls and take in the area's natural beauty.This highly popular waterfall offers pools to wade or swim in and places to picnic. A rocky beach leading to the pool is at the base of the lowest fall. There are bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits.Type: horsetails and cascadesHeight: 54-foot total dropTrail Length: 0.1 mile to the top of the fallsAltitude Gain: plus 50 feetHiking Time: 5 minutes
Snow Falls
One of the most accessible waterfalls in the area, Snow Falls, sits on the Little Androscoggin River in West Paris. This rest stop, run by the State of Maine, offers a picnic area complete with trails on both sides of the gorge, tables, restrooms, and plenty of parking.There are four distinct cascade sets that make up Snow Falls. The 30-foot gorge is surrounded by a fence, making it family-friendly. Type: small plunge and cascadesHeight: 25-foot total dropTrail Length: roadside
Step Falls
Made up of a long chain of descending horsetails and cascades, Step Falls is located a few miles outside of Grafton Notch State Park. It has been a popular attraction for waterfall fanatics and swimming-hole lovers for decades.During spring runoff, the fall's water volume can reach up to 500 cubic feet per second. In summer, its horsetails and plunges transform into skinny, easy-flowing slides. Step Falls features numerous shallow pools, offering places to wade or swim. Nearby mostly flat, sunny granite slabs are perfect for a picnic.Type: horsetails, cascades, and pools | Height: 250-foot drop | Source: Wight BrookTrail Length: 0.6 mile | Trail Difficulty: easyAltitude Gain: plus 300 feetHiking Time: 20 minutes
Swift River Falls
Just south of the Coos Canyon in Byron is a segmented cascade known simply as Swift River Falls. The powerful, rushing waters cascade over small to large potholes and deep impressions in the rocks. Along the Swift River are hundreds more potholes, oddly carved granite structures, and a natural bridge formation.Type: cascadesHeight: 6 feetTrail Length: roadside
Coos Canyon
Also located along the Swift River in Byron, Coos Canyon is a choice to stop for a swim or a picnic. Due to erosion over the years, the rocks lining the canyon walls have uniquely carved lines in them. Some people jump off the canyon walls for a refreshing splash into the river below, while other families wade in the waters above. The picnic tables and charcoal grills at the parking area offer a prime lunch spot.The Swift River is known as one of Maine's prime places to pan for gold. The Coos Canyon Rock and Gift Shop, across the street, rents panning supplies and provide demonstrations on how to properly pan.Type: cascadesHeight: 15 feetTrail Length: roadside
The Cataracts
Found in Andover West Surplus Twp, The Cataracts consist of plunges dropping an estimated 60 feet. In a rainy season, these become raging cascades. When it is dry one can explore the small caves near the waterfall between precipitous gorge walls. In addition there a several refreshing swimming holes for a dip on a hot day. Type: horsetails and cascadesHeight: approximately 60-foot total dropTrail Length: 0.5 mileAltitude Gain: plus 150 feetHiking Time: 20 minutes
