Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near Bethel & Grafton Notch
This hub uses Bethel as the home base, Newry, and the Grafton Notch approach on Route 26 — a dense stretch of Maine where waterfall stops and a few swim pockets sit close together by car.
Compare the map first, then open each guide for parking, footing after rain, and where swimming is actually realistic. For a western Maine waterfall loop, see 1-day Maine waterfall itinerary.
Rank 1: Screw Auger Falls (Grafton) — Grafton Township
Gulf Hagas Screw Auger Falls: slot-canyon chute on the West Branch Pleasant River in T7 R9 NWP, Piscataquis County (T7 R9 NWP, Maine).
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 2: Step Falls — Newry
Multi-tiered cascade and ledge pools on Wight Brook in Newry, Maine. Short walk from a preserve lot off Route 26.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 3: Mother Walker Falls — Grafton
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A deep gorge cascade on Bear River in Grafton Notch State Park, Oxford County, Maine.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 4: Moose Cave (Grafton Notch) — Newry
A deep slot gorge on the Bear River in Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine. Fenced viewing platform only.
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 5: Coos Canyon — Byron
A short gorge on the Swift River in Byron, Maine, on Route 17. Pools, low jumps, and a classic rest-area swim and…
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 6: Dunn Falls — Andover
A tall multi-tier waterfall on the West Branch of the Ellis River in Andover, Maine. AT access from East B Hill Road.
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 7: Smalls Falls — Township E
Tiered Sandy River roadside waterfall south of Rangeley on Route 4, Township E, western Maine.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 8: Cold River area — Bethel
Maine waterfall near Bethel. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
Rank 9: Abbott Brook Falls — Bethel
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A tiered waterfall near Bethel on Abbott Brook in western Maine.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5-10 min one way
Rank 10: Dunn Notch Cascades — Bethel
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Upstream ledge cascades in the Dunn Notch cut on the West Branch Ellis River, above Dunn Falls.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 11: Frenchman's Hole — Bethel
Classic Bull Branch swim hole off Sunday River Road north of Bethel, Maine, with deep pool, ledge, and cliff jumps.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 12: Horseshoe Falls — Bethel
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A lesser-known Bethel-area cascade in the Mahoosuc foothills of Oxford County.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min