This Waterfall Road Trip in Maine Will Take You To Spectacular Places
Maine is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. From crashing ocean waves to sky-high mountains, we’ve got an outdoor activity for just about everyone. But, to be fair, some of what we have to offer isn’t for the beginner. Don’t fancy yourself an Appalachian Trail hiker anytime soon? That’s okay – feel free to ease into things! We recommend starting with some waterfall visits – so take a peek at this waterfall road trip in Maine! Plentiful and impressive, Maine has over 100 significant waterfalls, which exist in just about every county from York to Aroostook.
Because a road trip with more than 100 stops is more of a lifestyle change than a fun jaunt, I’ve created a Western Maine focused trip that you can complete in about five hours of drive time. This will give you the rest of the day to hike, explore, stop for photos at the side of the road and (most importantly) replenish the snack supply at one of our local stores. We’ve even included stops for lunch and dinner at some great local spots.
There are four cascade sets at Snow Falls, which flows from the Little Androscoggin River. If you're behind schedule and need to move along, fear not! You won't be able to swim here, so this one might be quick.
About 45 minutes from Snow Falls, you'll find Screw Auger. These Bear River-sourced falls are comprised of 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 are beautiful any time of year. No swimming, so don't worry about wet car seats.
A quick 30-minute drive will take you to Dunn Falls, which features two main sections - an upper falls and lower falls. Many people feel the lower is the most impressive, but both are worth the fairly strenuous hike it takes to reach them. Plan for about 3 hours if you like stopping along the way. This is one where you can enjoy the water, so add some more time for splashing around. Click here for some specific directions.
Head down Andover Road for less than ten minutes, and you'll find yourself at The Cataracts. Admittedly best in early spring when the snow melts makes these falls roar, you'll still have a good time scrambling around the rocks any time of year. Together, the individual falls total about 100' and you'll enjoy swimming and sliding around when it's warm enough.
About 45 minutes Northeast and 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, jump in, or stay dry with a picnic in the connected park. Don't avoid it in the winter though - you can easily pull over to take a look if you want to make this one a quick stop.
Drive 30 minutes north and you'll reach this well-known waterfall. The 90' plunging falls come from the Mountain Brook and take about 30 minutes to reach on the (almost) mile-long trail. Leave the trunks at home as swimming is not allowed.
You'll be driving north to get to your next stop, so you might as well take a detour to the Rangeley Lakes area. Stop at The Shed BBQ for a casual lunch - the perfect complement to this laid-back road trip. Try the pulled-pork sliders, which have been called "too good to be true." Or, get crazy and order the ribs. Expect to leave VERY satisfied. You can find more information on their website right here.
After lunch, continue on to Smalls Falls. Remember, this part of the journey will take you through Rangeley State Park. You'll want to take your time here and enjoy the scenery. Don't be surprised if this portion takes even longer than Google says it should. Sourced by the Sandy River, Smalls Falls includes four individual cascades and lots of places to swim. Smalls is a classic swimming hole, so if you make the trip in the summer be sure to add in some time for getting in the water.
After an hour's drive from Smalls Falls you'll arrive in the town of Rumford, home of cleverly named Rumford Falls. 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 and you'll be extra lucky if you make it there during a time of high water.
During your hour-long drive from Smalls Falls to Rumford Falls, you'll pass through Maine's largest state park, Mt. Blue. Separated by Webb Lake, the area is perfect year-round. In the summer, tackle a hike up the 3,187 foot Mt. Blue. In the winter, enjoy sledding at Center Hill and skating at the park headquarters. You'll find about 25 miles of multi-use trails for just about anything you can imagine doing on a multi-use trail.
Now, grab yourself some Moxie, car snacks and your favorite fellow adventure lovers and hit the road! Our next road trip guide will take you up the coast for an all-inclusive visit to Maine’s lighthouses. What else would you like to see? Head to Facebook and let us know.
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Address: Snow Falls Gorge, West Paris, ME 04289, USA
Address: Screw Auger Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
Address: Dunn Falls, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
Address: The Cataracts, North Oxford, ME 04261, USA
Address: Coos Canyon, Byron, ME 04275, USA
Address: Angel Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04275, USA
Address: Smalls Falls, West Central Franklin, ME 04970, USA
Address: The Shed, 2647 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970, USA
Address: Rumford Falls, Rumford, ME 04276, USA
Address: Mt. Blue State Park, 297 Center Hill Rd, Weld, ME 04285, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfall Road Trip In Maine
February 06, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the best hikes with a view in Maine?
It's hard to top the views along the coast of Maine! Some of the best hikes you can take in the Pine Tree State include the scramble along Giant's Stairs, the hike out to Great Head in Acadia National Park, and the exhilarating Beehive hike, also in Acadia National Park. There are stunning mountain hikes, too - are you brave enough to hike the Knife's Edge up Katahdin? Even if you prefer to stay a little closer to the ground, you can enjoy the stunning Gulf Hagas Rim Trail in Katahdin Iron Works State Park. Higgin's Mountain, in Georgetown's Reid State Park, is a beautiful family-friendly mountain hike that's beautiful in most seasons.
What are the most beautiful lakes in Maine?
It's hard to top the famous Belgrade Lakes, in Central Maine. In the fall, the Harvest Festival brings hundreds of visitors to see them in their stunning color as the season changes. If you enjoy kayaking or floating on calm water, visit the cute little Duckpuddle Pond, which spreads across Nobleboro and Waldoboro. Knox County is home to the often-overlooked Megunticook Lake, where you'll find stunning scenery for hiking and swimming. Read about more stunning lakes in Maine in this roundup.
Which state parks should I visit in Maine?
Baxter State Park, Katahdin Iron Works State Park, and Reid State Park are some of our favorites to explore every season. Popham Beach State Park and Camden Hills State Park are also beautiful, particularly in the summer. Camden Hill is a great place to visit if the crowds of Acadia are a little too much for you, but you'd still like to explore the downeast coast. If you're close to Portland and want to get away from the busy city, head to Mackworth Island State Park, which is a local hidden gem.
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
