One of the tallest single drops in the state of Maine, Moxie Falls is a scenic waterfall a few miles southeast of the famous whitewater rafting river, the Kennebec. An equal mix of beauty and grandeur, the name Moxie Falls is given to a spectacular 30-yard drop of Moxie Stream. It offers a ruggedness matched by no other falls in New England. Above and below the falls are several unnamed large, wide cascades with some pools. The best swimming holes here are 100 feet downstream from the main plunge, and another just above the main plunge, below a large set of cascades. Both pools require a moderately difficult level of scrambling and steep terrain, but they are worth every ounce of energy expended. Although scrambling down the gorge walls is a tiresome activity, the attempt is easily justified by the rugged, highly scenic gorge and the completely new perspective of the falls from below. Take caution if you decide to do this, and we do not recommend this for children. Despite its remote location in mid-western Maine, Moxie Falls is heavily visited, mainly by those up for the weekend at the local whitewater rafting outfitters. We have visited Moxie Falls on multiple occasions during less than ideal weather conditions, and there have always been at least a few people either along the trail, swimming in the pools, or resting at one of the many boardwalk vantage points. The popularity of this place attests to the fact that this is easily one of Maine’s most unforgettable waterfalls.

The trail begins at the center of the parking lot and follows a well-worn path to the falls. About halfway to the falls you will approach a sign for the falls and a warning of the suddenly changing, potentially dangerous currents of the dam-controlled rivers in the area. The first views of the main plunge are head-on from the top of the gorge on a boardwalk trail. If you are confident in your ability to scramble down the side of a 100-foot gorge, you can reach the base of the falls and a pool suitable for swimming. There are multiple routes in which to complete such a task, but all are challenging and not recommended for children.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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