Smalls Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Smalls Falls is a waterfall in Franklin County, Maine, about 9.0 miles west of Phillips. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Franklin County, ME

Nearest town

Phillips (9.0 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.9 from 154 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

44.85895, -70.51673

USGS topo

Jackson Mountain quad

Getting there

Smalls Falls sits about 9.0 miles west of Phillips in Franklin County. Google lists the address as West Central Franklin, ME 04970.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Smalls Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Smalls Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Maine. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.85895, -70.51673 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 390 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. 154 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Smalls Falls holds a 4.9-star average across 154 Google reviews, and 88% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Franklin County. Visitors have shared 390 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Older maps and records also list it as Small's Falls.

Smalls Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on September 30, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Jackson Mountain 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Chandler Mill Stream (stream, 0.1 mi), Harvey Pond (lake, 0.7 mi), Crossman Stream (stream, 1.2 mi), and Perry Mountain (summit, 1.3 mi).

Western Mountains. The mountains along the New Hampshire border, from Grafton Notch to the Rangeley Lakes and Kingfield, are Maine's most visited waterfall country. Smalls Falls in Franklin County is a series of drops and pools beside a highway rest area, and Angel Falls nearby is a tall, narrow plunge reached by a forest walk. In Oxford County, Screw Auger Falls carves potholes and a small gorge into granite within Grafton Notch State Park, while The Cataracts and Kezar Falls are other favorites. Rumford Falls on the Androscoggin River is a large river fall harnessed for power since the 1890s, which USGS notes may be dry during low water.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Smalls Falls about 9.0 miles west of Phillips is rated 4.9 out of 5 by 154 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Smalls Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.