We have a confession to make; the high rating we gave this waterfall is not solely attributable to the cascading waters of Rattlesnake Brook, but rather skewed by the dazzlingly attractive swimming hole created inside a giant pothole, commonly known as Rattlesnake Pool. This pool attracts visitors from all over, not just local residents. This is surprising, because the pool is quite small, barely large enough for one family of swimmers. The pool also offers frigid waters year-round, due to the overhanging hemlock trees above the pool and the already chilly mountain water. The drawing feature of the pool is the exceptionally clean, teal-green colored water and the moss-surrounded slide that feeds the pool. Visualize a lagoon-like pool with a romantic spirit and you will picture something similar to Rattlesnake Pool. Maine is truly blessed to have such a treasure. For waterfalls, Rattlesnake Brook offers two small attractions. The first is at Rattlesnake Flume. The flume consists of a 10-foot plunge dumping down into narrow gorge walls. The falls above the pool are small cascades only 3 or 4 feet in height. Please take note that both the Flume and the Pool are both located on private property. In order to keep public access to these special places, we must all do our part not abuse the private trail system. For starters, visitors must stay on the “CTA trails” at all times. The owners have allowed Rattlesnake Flume and Pool to remain available to the public for many years, and we hope it will always remain that way. Please be respectful and skip hiking any trails that are marked “No Trespassing.”

Start your hike by continuing up the dirt road beyond the gate. After an easy 0.5 mile walk along the road, enter the woods on your left at a sign for the “Stone House Trail.” Follow the Stone House Trail as it slowly gains in elevation for 0.2 mile and you will reach a fork. Fork right and you will find Rattlesnake Flume a few feet down the trail, visible from a wooden bridge by looking upstream. Fork left and you can visit the stunning Rattlesnake Pool. To reach the pool, continue for 0.2 mile beyond this fork and you will reach a lonely arrow and a sign for the Stone House Trail just after going across a small bridge. Take a right here follow the trail for a final 0.1 mile to the pool. To swim in the pool, you must scramble down a moderately steep, although short, embankment.

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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