Waterfalls In Maine With Swimming Holes

Dunn Falls is a beautiful waterfall located near Andover in Oxford County. The upper falls is a 70-foot drop forming a horsetail and fans. The lower falls is a direct plunge, dropping 80 additional feet. There is a moderate difficulty 2 mile loop leading past the falls.

This loop includes part of the Appalachian Trail, small pools suitable as swimming holes, and six smaller waterfalls. The trail is accessible from Andover Road and is marked by white blazes. Dunn Falls is best viewed from July through October, when water flow is the greatest. Access the trail to the waterfall from the parking area in Hay Brook. The trail is an 8.6-mile loop, making it appropriate as a day hike for experienced hikers.

To begin, you must cross the West Branch of the Pleasant River, which is approximately 150 feet across and knee deep. Beware of the swifter current and high water levels during the spring. Pick up a map at a gas station or North Maine Woods checkpoint to ensure that you correctly follow the trail. The area features four named waterfalls, dozens of smaller unnamed falls, a gorge called "The Grand Canyon of Maine," two rivers, and a variety of swimming holes. Enjoy swimming at the base of the falls for a cool, relaxing end to your hike.

Moxie Falls is one of the longest single drops in Maine, with a plunge of over 90 feet. The waterfall is fed by Moxie Stream and is located in Moxie Gore Township. To get to the falls, take Route 15 south from Greenville, turning right at Shirley Village and continuing for 12 miles. Turn left onto Moxie Road and follow the signs to the parking area. To get to the best swimming holes, you must scramble over rocks approximately 100 feet downstream from the waterfall. The trail is approximately 0.5 miles to the falls, with a wooden boardwalk and viewpoints along the way for soaking up the beautiful scenery.

Once done at the falls, head upstream to find several pools that are great for swimming. Maine sports over 425 mapped waterfalls, so how do you decide which ones to visit? The highest falls come in with a staggering 90 foot drop. Some of Maine's popular waterfalls are easily accessible and others require a hike to enjoy. No matter your skill level you can access some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Maine.

Top on the list is Angel Falls with it's stunning 90 foot drop over a set of plunging tiers through 115 foot cliffs. Not to be rivaled by Moxie Falls rated as Maine's tallest waterfall with a straight 90 foot plunge into a 17 foot pool at the base. The sound of rushing water draws people from everywhere for the spectacular views and cool pools, often great swimming spots on a hot summer day.

Following is a list of the 10 most popular waterfalls in Maine. Smalls Falls is a spot popular for its charming natural scenery, beautiful waterfall, and excellent swimming holes. The bottom of Small Falls features a 3-foot cascade that drops into a 20-foot-wide circular pool, followed by a 14-foot fanning horsetail further up that falls into a deep oblong pool. Further up again is a 25-foot segmented waterfall, and the top waterfall is a 12-foot horsetail and slide. Beyond the last fall are tiny plunges and cascades with crystal-clear water for fun dipping and splashing. Smalls Falls is located just south of Rangeley and is popular for its beautiful waterfall, excellent swimming holes, and scenic gorge.

The gorge features amazing colored walls, with beige, orange, brown, gold, ivory, green, and black rock. Enjoy the bathrooms, fire pits, and picnic tables after your easy 5-minute hike to the waterfall. Smalls Falls has a 54-foot drop with numerous cascades. Below the waterfall, the Bear River continues through a curvaceous canyon and drops another 30 feet in a series of cascades passing shallow pools, giant potholes, caverns, and a small natural arch. Dunn Falls is an alluring waterfall on the Ellis River near Andover in Oxford County with two sections and a small swimming hole.

The upper part of the falls features a stunning 70-foot drop forming a horsetail and fans, while the lower section of the falls is a direct plunge, dropping 80 additional feet into a pool below. Dunn Falls can be reached on a scenic day-hike along the West Branch of the Ellis River through the beautifully conserved wilderness to the Upper and Lower Dunn Falls. The moderately rated 2-mile lop to the falls includes part of the Appalachian Trail and several small swimming pools for dipping in along the way. Consider avoiding this high-use area during peak periods (try 10 a.m. on a Tuesday). Gulf Hagas is an incredible four-mile-long gorge with a series of waterfalls and tempting swimming holes. The best of the swimming holes is the pool at the base of Screw Auger Falls, which is just a quick hike from the Pleasant River trailhead.

Waterfalls Near Me With Swimming Holes To get to the best spot, take a left at the Junction to follow the Rim Trail. The short side trail to Screw Auger Falls is about a quarter mile past the junction on your left. Step Falls does not offer a dramatic plunge like some of Maine's other waterfalls, but it gradually descends over 250 feet. Its long chain of cascades and horsetails creates a beautiful, misty water flow. The waterfalls offers dozens of smaller pools with excellent wading and swimming opportunities.

To get to Step Falls, take Route 26 northwest from Newry until you see signs for Step Falls Preserve. Follow the moderate 0.6-mile trail, which takes approximately 20 minutes to hike. Dunn Point's sandy beach on Moosehead Lake is one of the Maine Highland's favored swimming holes.

It is part of the 925 acre Lily Bay State Park, and offers a swimming spot that is safe for all ages. The beach overlooks Sugar Island, providing lovely views of largely untouched forest and the lake itself. Accessed via Myrle's Way in Greenville, the beach offers parking close by with easy pathways to the water, picnic areas with tables and grills, drinking water, restrooms and a playground.

Despite the amenities, this is a wild area, frequented by moose, deer and even the occasional bear. Lilly Bay State Park does have a day use fee of between $1.50 and $4.50, depending on age and residency. If you'd like to spend the night, campgrounds are available at Dunn Point and Rowell Cove. Appropriately nicknamed The Grand Canyon of Maine, this magnificent gorge is nearly 4 miles long, displaying vertical slate walls 300' to 400' deep.

The river drops some 400'in this distance, creating numerous waterfalls, chutes, and pools. The falls are particularly spectacular during the spring runoff. This is also a "must trip" in the fall during the peak of the foliage season. The summer offers tempting swimming holes, about 8-9 holes in all, some under the waterfalls. This is a spectacular gorge and is a highly recommend hiking trip. The National Park Service has recently purchased the gorge and adjacent lands.

Frenchman's Hole is easily reached from North Bethel up the Sunday River Road, past an historical and picturesque covered bridge. Kees Falls in Oxford County Maine#9 Kees Falls in Oxford County on Morrison Brook in Batchelders, near Hastings, ME in the White Mountain National Forest. Kees Falls is a horsetail and has a 25 foot drop on the main falls. If you hike the entire loop it is a 7 mile hike rated moderate to hard. The beginning is easy and at the 3rd crossing of Morrison Brook about 1.6 miles from the parking area you will be a short distance from the falls.

Kees Falls will be downstream from this crossing with a breathtaking emerald colored pool at the base of the 25 foot drop. The beginning of the hiking trail is located in a parking area on Route 113 approximately 4.6 miles south of the town of Gilead. Lower Dunn Falls in Oxford County Maine#3 Lower Dunn Falls located in Oxford County on the West Branch of the Ellis River near Andover North Surplus.

Lower Dunn Falls is a plunge falls at an 80 foot drop. This trail is rated as moderate with an easy start and wide trails but becomes more difficult as you travel along. There are several smaller cascades and pools along the journey including Middle Dunn Falls making the trek worth the effort. The Carrabassett Valley is also favored for its swimming holes. Route 27 follows the river between Stratton and New Portland.

The bottom is rocky and the water depth rarely gets above four feet, but there is a small beach, plenty of wading spots and a naturally formed water slide. The largest swimming hole on the river is Spring Farm, averaging seven or eight feet in depth even in the dry season. To reach Spring Farm, follow Route 27 until you get about half a mile south of Valley Crossing, then look for the sign. These are both free to use, safe for supervised children and accessible to most.

As the name implies, Maine's Lakes & Mountains Region is blessed with countless lakes and ranges of forested mountains along with dozens of waterfalls. Small's Falls, on the Sandy River in the Rangeley area, is as close to a drive-in waterfall as you can get. A rest area off of Route 4 offers parking, picnic areas and pit toilets. Easy trails lead to the large, circular swimming hole at the base of the tiered waterfall. Brave souls can jump into the water from a ledge 14 feet above the water. There is no charge for parking or to swim in the falls.

There are several family-friendly and dog-friendly swimming holes along the way that provide hours of fun. Step Falls is a long, spectacular chain of cascades and horsetails that gradually descends over 250 feet, creating a beautiful, misty water flow. During the spring runoff, the falls are spectacular, with massive water volumes creating roaring horsetails and plunges and fine mist sprays.

Situated near Elliotsville Township in Piscataquis County, Little Wilson Falls is a three-section waterfall, with the upper, middle and lower falls made up of horsetails, slides, and cascades. The upper falls drop from a height of 40 feet, the middle falls from a height of 25 feet, and the lower falls from 18 feet. Both the middle and lower falls drop into large, deep pools, which make pleasant swimming holes and are popular in the warm summer months.

Below Little Wilson Falls, the water continues to cascade over a series of smaller waterfalls before flowing into Big Wilson Stream; both can be accessed via a section of the Appalachian Trail. They can be reached by several popular hiking trails that wind their way through heavily shaded glens and there are pleasant swimming holes to dip into after the hike. Because of the state's diverse landscapes and bays, you'll find Maine's swimming holes at the base of waterfalls, in rivers along gorges, and near quiet beaches scattered throughout the state. Houston Brook Falls, located in Somerset County near Pleasant Ridge, is a broad 32-foot waterfall with horsetails and plunges. The Houston Brook cascades over beautiful rocks to form this scenic waterfall. Follow Carry Pond Road southeast from Pleasant Ridge until you see a sign advertising the falls.

There is an easy 0.25-mile trail leading to the waterfall. There are several excellent swimming locations at the bottom of the falls. Be careful when scrambling across the rocks, which become very slippery because of the mist.

Views of the waterfall are best in the morning from May to October. Although Grand Falls is not as tall as other waterfalls in Maine, its immense 120-foot breadth and enormous water flow makes it live up to its name. Turn left on this dirt road and continue for 14 miles. An easy 0.8 mile trail leads to the waterfall, which is 40 feet high. The falls are beautiful year-round, with the heaviest water flow during spring runoff. Simply enjoy its power, thundering noise, and fresh spray.

The Cascades, also known as Cascade Gorge and Cascade Stream Gorge, is an impressive set of waterfalls in the Rangeley Lakes region of the Western Maine Mountains. The falls are reached by a smooth and stunningly scenic hike along a trail that winds past the cool walls of an impressive gorge, creating the feeling of hiking through a natural tunnel. Small but picturesque, the pool at the bottom of the falls can't be pegged as a swimming hole but is perfect for a quiet dip at the end of the hike. Fed by Morrison Brook, Kee Falls can be reached by a pleasant and moderately rated 2-mile walk to the falls, with a 600-foot climb to the top of the falls. Kee Falls is often visited most by hikers ascending to ledges near the summit of Caribou Mountain to take in the scenic views on a round-trip loop hike using the Caribou and Mud Brook trails. Big Wilson Falls is made up of several cascades and drops and is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Maine with no hiking required.

The falls have several large rocks to clamber around on and a small beach that is perfect for picnicking, swimming, and relaxing for the day. Big Wilson Falls are at their best in the autumn when there is reasonable water flow, and the surrounding foliage creates a palette of amazing colors and hues. The swimming holes throughout Smalls Falls are fun for kids as well as adventurous grownups. The lowest pool can be accessed via the parking lot and the rest are just a short scramble up the rocks. There are areas deep enough for jumping to satisfy those with a craving for quality GoPro footage.

Located on private land but open to the public, Shin Brook Falls is one of Maine's finest and is a plunge and horsetails type of waterfall. Three drops are found at the falls with the last one a spectacular drop of 30 feet. This horsetail spreads diagonally as it flows over rows and rows of rock shelves. Trail begins to the right of the parking lot and starts off mostly flat until you reach a fork.

At the fork go left and about 300 feet in the trail will narrow and lead off deeper into the woods on the right. To visit the base of the Lower Falls—go right and after about 25 feet the path will begin to descend on a very steep and rough trail. The descent can be difficult and caution needs to be used. You can also choose to visit the Upper Falls and the top of the Lower Falls. A very steep and rough trail connects the top of the Lower Falls with its base.

You can make a nice loop out of both waterfalls, however this connecting trail is not recommended for children. There is one section of the trail with a steep drop-off so again use caution. Fishing is excellent below the falls.The 30-foot drop is a highlight of these waterfalls. If you like to fish, bring you pole; the fishing, we hear, is excellent. Angel Falls, a 90-foot waterfall in western Maine's Franklin County, is one of the most spectacular in the state.

From Byron, take Route 17 until you reach a short hiking trail marked by signs. The easy to moderate trail is 0.8 miles in length and leads through the woods to the waterfall. Angel Falls is fed by Mountain Brook and tumbles 90 miles over a rocky cliff. The waterfall is also known as Angel Wings Falls because its water flow resembles an angel.