Waterfalls & Swimming Holes From Greenville & Moosehead
Greenville and Moosehead make sense when you want a bigger inland loop instead of a quick stop outside town. This page puts the gorge and waterfall anchors together so you can see the drive cost before you leave the lake.
Some of these rows are scenery-first rather than swim-first, which is fine for this part of Maine. Use the map first, then open each guide for parking, footing, and where the access is actually practical. For the fuller Gulf Hagas region page, see Greenville & Gulf Hagas.
Rank 1: The Cliffs — Greenville
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A cliff face above Moosehead Lake in the Greenville area; a scenic overlook rather than a classic waterfall.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 2: Shirley Gorge (Lower Falls) — Shirley
Viewing only, not a swim stop
The lower step of the Shirley Gorge chain near Monson, Piscataquis County, Maine.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 3: Shirley Gorge (Upper Falls) — Shirley
The upper step of the Shirley Gorge chain near Monson, Piscataquis County, Maine.
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 4: Gulf Hagas — Bowdoin College Grant East
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Maine's classic slate gorge on the West Branch Pleasant River in the KI Jo-Mary country. 8-mile AT-linked loop.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 5: Little Wilson Falls — Greenville
Viewing only, not a swim stop
One of the tallest AT-adjacent waterfalls in Maine, on Little Wilson Stream north of Monson in Piscataquis County.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 0-5 min
Rank 6: Big Wilson Falls — Elliotsville
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A dramatic gorge waterfall east of Greenville on Big Wilson Stream.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 15-25 min one way