5 Must-See Waterfalls in Maine (2026)
If you only have time for five Maine waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Western Mountains, North Woods and Moosehead Highlands, and Aroostook and Downeast.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Maine waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Smalls Falls
Phillips, ME · Franklin County · Western Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 154 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Maine, and it holds 4.9 stars. Older records also call it Small's Falls. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Angel Falls. It is one of 25 named falls in the Western Mountains region. The nearest town is Phillips, about 9.0 miles to the east.
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2. Angel Falls
Mexico, ME · Franklin County · Western Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 128 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Maine, and it holds 4.5 stars. 5 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Silver Ripple Cascade and Ellis Falls. It is one of 25 named falls in the Western Mountains region. The nearest town is Mexico, about 17 miles to the southeast.
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3. Screw Auger Falls
Bethel, ME · Oxford County · Western Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 106 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Maine, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Small waterfall accessed by multiple trails, popular for swimming, picnics & nature exploration." 7 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Mother Walker Falls and The Cataracts. It is one of 25 named falls in the Western Mountains region. The nearest town is Bethel, about 13 miles to the southeast.
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4. Houston Brook Falls
Kingfield, ME · Somerset County · North Woods and Moosehead Highlands
Why it is a must-see
With 80 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Maine, and it holds 4.8 stars. 3 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Austin Stream Falls and Caratunk Falls. It is one of 57 named falls in the North Woods and Moosehead Highlands region. The nearest town is Kingfield, about 13 miles to the southwest.
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5. Hadlock Falls
Bar Harbor, ME · Hancock County · Aroostook and Downeast
Why it is a must-see
With 33 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Maine, and it holds 4.5 stars. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Located in Acadia NP. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Man O'War Brook Falls and Sullivan Falls. It is one of 28 named falls in the Aroostook and Downeast region. The nearest town is Bar Harbor, about 5.4 miles to the northeast.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 191 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Houston Brook Falls (start, near Kingfield)
- Smalls Falls, about 32 mi southwest
- Angel Falls, about 11 mi southwest
- Screw Auger Falls, about 18 mi southwest
- Hadlock Falls, about 131 mi east
When to Visit Maine's Waterfalls
Maine's waterfalls peak with snowmelt, which typically runs from April into late May, earlier along the coast and later in the high country of the western mountains and North Woods. Many logging roads are soft and muddy during this mud season, and some trailheads are not reachable until roads dry out. Late May through June is black fly season in the interior, so bring head nets and repellent. Summer flows drop but remain decent in wet years, and swimming holes like Smalls Falls and Screw Auger Falls are busiest in July and August. Fall color peaks from late September in the north to mid-October in the south, and autumn rains often restore flow. Winter is long and cold, with many falls frozen and many access roads unplowed.
Before You Go
Access in Maine varies widely by region. Grafton Notch, Baxter and other state parks, Acadia National Park and many roadside sites are straightforward to reach, though Acadia requires a park pass and is very busy in summer. Much of the North Woods, however, is privately owned commercial forest, crossed by gravel logging roads that are shared with heavy trucks; some are gated, with checkpoints and fees for visitors. Cell service is limited or absent across large areas, so carry maps and plan fuel carefully. Hazards include cold, fast water during spring runoff, slick granite and slate, and remote terrain where help may be hours away. Many popular swimming holes have steep ledges, and water levels can change quickly after rain.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Maine Waterfalls
See all 119 waterfalls in the Maine waterfall guide, or browse by town: Phillips, Mexico, Bethel, Kingfield, Bar Harbor.
More Maine Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Maine?
Smalls Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 154 Google reviews. It is near Phillips in Franklin County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Maine waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 191 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
How many waterfalls are in Maine?
Our directory lists 119 named waterfalls in Maine. See them all, sorted by town, in the Maine waterfall guide.
Which Maine county has the most waterfalls?
Piscataquis County, in the Moosehead Lake and North Woods region, holds 32 of the 119 named waterfalls in our directory, more than any other county in the state.