8 beautiful waterfalls

a weekend full of memories

The What:

Clear a weekend to drive through the beautiful countryside of Maine. In just 2 days, and what we would consider minimal hiking, you can explore 8 different waterfalls. Some are easy roadside stops where you can view the falls while taking out your fishing pole, while others require a 1-2 mile hike to view their grandeur. You can be selective with your choices if you are limited on time, however if you follow the order we have listed, you will be able to see all with minimal backtracking.

We also don't want to take credit for organizing this list. Kari was lucky to find and join the facebook group Everything Maine, which we recommend if you are looking for other cool things to do during your stay. There they had a post about these waterfalls with a few pictures and snippets, but we still had to search for additional resources to make this trip work, which we have included on this post. We wanted to create an actual post to add details about our experience, make sure you know the route, and help plan your trip!

Day 1

Snow Falls Gorge, Oxford County

Start your day heading towards Snow Falls Gorge. The first stop on the 2 day waterfall adventure. This is a nice warm up waterfall as there is almost no walking required. We did see a few people fishing at this location, so bring a pole.

Location: Park at the Snow Falls Rest Area. Google Maps

Trail: No trail required. This first stop on our list you can literally see from the rest area parking. Pending the season you go, you may see a little less rushing water. Once you cross the bridge, you can see a second stream that travels on the opposite side. This trail does not have much railing. Really, there is almost none!. Keep an eye on those kids!.

Pets: Pet friendly on a leash.

Screw Auger Falls, Oxford County

Up next is Screw Auger Falls. You will be driving approximately 40-45 minutes to your next destination. As soon as you hit the road after Snow Falls, you will pass a few gas stations. If you need gas, or restrooms, now is your chance. Otherwise, you get an outhouse at Screw Auger Falls. I will say, they are fairly clean. Screw Auger Falls is very family friendly. There are views of the falls from below or above, where you can climb onto rocks for pictures.

Lastly, if you have time and want to hike a little, follow the falls down stream, at the bottom you can get to the rock bed. We opted out of this, as it was too cold and icy to get into the water, and there were a few people already there.

Location: There is a designated parking lot for Screw Auger Falls. Google Maps

Trail: After parking, there is a very short pathway to the falls. It’s about 5 minutes and you find yourself looking over a wooden railing.

Pets: Pet friendly on leash.

Dunn Falls, Oxford County (swim) 3hours

Third on our list is Dunn Falls. From Screw Auger Falls, you will be traveling approximately 25 minutes. I can almost 100% guarantee that you will lose service during your drive to this location. It’s a dead zone. So, plan accordingly by reading this whole paragraph. Use GOOGLE MAPS!.

The iPhone maps does not bring you to the correct location. Written directions go something like this…From Screw Auger falls, head west on ME-26 N towards the Appalachian trail. Turn right onto Popple Dam Road. Then after approximately 2 miles, a sharp right onto East B Hill Road (Also known as Andover Road).

After about 3.5 to 4 miles of driving, you will see a hiking sign, yellow with a little hiker pictured. You are now close. There will be a dirt parking area on the east side of the road. There is no big sign for the start of the hike. We passed it 3 times before finding the correct location.

You know you are in the right spot, because you pass the yellow hiker sign, and you have gone too far past the trail head, if you notice another yellow hiker sign, on the opposite side of the road.

Once parked, you walk South/West to the trail head. Only about 50 yards. On the East side of the road, is this Appalachian Trail sign (see our picture).

This is not the hike. Look across the road, and you will find the entry to the hike. Congratulations, you made it to the entry of the hike!

Location: Google Maps

Trail: Enter the trail and descend about 50 yards from the road and come to a stream. Do not cross!

The wooden sign on the tree indicates Go Left for Cascade trail. Follow the blue-blazed Cascade Trail south, towards Dunn Falls. This goes over tree roots, and rocks along the stream, and in Spring time, there are some good pictures of smaller waterfalls.

In 0.5 miles, you cross the stream and follow switchbacks up the steep opposite bank. After 0.2 miles, the trail descends and again crosses the river. Now the Cascade Trail follows along the south bank of the river, traveling upstream towards the falls.

In 0.1 miles, the blue-blazed Cascade Trail forks.

The left fork rapidly ascends to the top of Lower Dunn Falls, and at the top intersects with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Due to it being spring time, high water levels, and still plenty of knee deep snow and ice, we were unable to follow the left fork and urge you to consult with mainetrailfinder.com if this is the route you wish to take.

The right fork is where we continue our journey for this hike. The right fork continues for a short way along the banks of the river, with small pools of water.

Only about 0.2 miles to the falls. In Spring, it can be tricky to maneuver, however possible along rocks and downed trees. You can get right to the bottom of the Lower Dunn Falls, which lies between too huge rock faces. It is difficult to see directly from the trail, and you will have to climb a few rocks to get a better view/picture. Once done, we did an out and back hike, so follow the blue markings out. Enjoy.

Pets: Of course!

The Cataracts, Oxford County

The final stop for day 1. Much like Dunn Falls, you will be hiking some. As soon as you exit Dunn Falls, you will drive South, towards the town of Andover on East B Hill Road (Andover Road). The trail begins just after the bridge where East B Hill Road (Andover Road) crosses Frye Brook. If you reach the street sign, you have gone too far.

Location: Google Maps

Trail: The trail follows along Frye Brook, winding over rocks and tree roots. In total, it is approximately 1 mile round trip. There are several pools as well as waterfalls to see along the route. There are also rocky areas, as well as steep sections. If you go in Spring like us, you may want to bring some ice cleats. We managed without, but it was slow going. In total, we counted three sections of the falls, and you know you have reached the end of the trail when you come up to a picnic area with wooden railing. Consider bringing something you don’t mind getting wet if it is warm out. We would have gotten in the pools if there wasn’t snow and it only being 40 something degrees.

Pets: A yorkie made this trip! So, yes.

Day 2

Coos Canyon, Oxford County

Why not start day 2 off easy. This “hike” is a rest area. Picnic tables, no hiking involved, and just a nice gorge with a small waterfall. We went in Spring, so the water was still rushing, however we have read that in summer/fall when the water slows significantly, some people get into the pools above and below the falls.

Location: Just search Coos Canyon Rest Area or click here —>Google Maps

Trail: No trail, just park your car and walk about 50-100 feet. Very family friendly.

Pets: Is it even a question at this point? Of course.

Angel Falls, Franklin County

Ok, so this by far was one of, if not my favorite for this trip. I think it is tied with Dunn Falls. Not only do you get to see a beautiful waterfall, but the hike to this location is fun, moderately challenging, and if you go in spring, requires some ingenuity to cross the streams without getting wet.

Please read further for the drive to these falls. You will leave Coos Canyon heading West on ME-17W. You will undoubtedly lose service, so have google maps initiated and follow these directions. Approximately 4 miles after leaving Coos Canyon, you will come across a dirt road on your left named Houshton/Bemis Road. There are a couple mailboxes and it looks like a private road, but it really does lead to the falls. There is a big field just prior to this road.

You will notice a wooden bridge almost immediately after turning onto this road that crosses a river. This is a logging road, as well as home to a few private residences so make sure you always give them the right away. In late spring, we noticed several signs saying the ATV roads were closed, and due to muddy conditions, limited heavy trucks allowed. This concerned us at first, however the actual road to the falls was still open.

We still entered, but I would make sure you have 4WD and higher ground clearance on your vehicle. We drove the truck this day specifically for this waterfall.

The road from here on out is not paved, bumpy, and muddy if during spring. There were several downed trees and we even hit a nail and ended up with a flat tire. The dirt road will be 3.6 miles long from the Start. Just to add, we noticed the flat after hiking, and luckily had our tools and a spare. Remember…..no cell service!

Regarding the drive to the falls, you will approach a fork in the road at approximately 3.6 miles from initial turn off from the highway. You may park and walk down the left side of the fork to the hiking trail, or drive down this hill and park at the bottom. Despite, several sites claiming people park down the hill, all other cars that day were parked at the top near us.

When you descend the left side of the fork, you will continue past a small boulder that has graffiti on it. This is the official start.

Location: Google Maps

Trail: From the parking lot (the big rock with graffiti), look for red blazes, and follow the path across the stream. Continue following the trail (red blazed) to Mountain Brook. You will follow up stream and cross 3 times before reaching the falls. We went in April, and there was still snow up to 6 inches deep in some locations, but able to cross most streams with rock hopping. Only the first large stream, did we take off our shoes and wade mid shin deep.

Angel falls will reach a 90 foot drop and was one of our favorite trails because of it’s adventurous hiking throughout. Be sure to stay safe, as the 1.1 mile round trip hike itself is only moderate, however the stream crossing can vary pending snow melt and become impassible if the water is high enough.

Pets: Yorkies need help crossing the streams, but bigger dogs could likely handle easily. There are a few sections where I could see it being a challenge for some dogs to cross with the rocks, however I’m sure most will be fine.

Smalls Falls, Oxford County

We ran into a situation while trying to get from Angel Falls to Smalls Falls. Aside from not having service, (we drove back to Coos Canyon to look up directions), our map tried taking us through two dirt roads. NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE. We had no idea about the area we were in, there was no service, and one of the roads was posted “Road Closed until June 1st”. We gave up and headed way out of the way back towards Rumford Falls (the last on the list).

From there we took the ME-142N to ME-4N leading right to Smalls Falls. You still lose cell phone service, but I can guarantee you will have asphalt roads the entire time. We felt better about it. If you choose this route, you might as well go out of order and see Rumford Falls first and Smalls Falls last (just a thought depending on where you are staying for the night).

Location: Look up Smalls Falls Rest Area and Trailhead or click here—> Google Maps

Trail: You take a short walk from the parking lot at the rest area and come across a bridge overlooking one part of the falls. You can hike along the mountain to see the upper portion of the falls. It’s worth the walk.

Pets: Umm Yes.

Rumford Falls, Oxford County

A great ending to the trip as Rumford falls offers easy parking with a walk out to a reservoir for relaxing and viewing the falls. There is a grassy area or large flat rocks where you can sit or lay after a long two day drip. The upper falls are located straight ahead right next to a damn and depending on the season, may only be a trickle of water. Looking at upper falls, you will notice directly to your left a bridge you can walk out on. From either the bridge or, the J. Eugene Boivin Park, you can see both the upper and middle falls. If you would like to see the lower falls, they are 0.4 miles downstream, however no parking is available. Opt to walk or settle for the upper and middle falls only.

Location: Google maps

Trail: None! Just park and enjoy.

Pets: Definitely