New England Waterfalls hompeage Connecticut Waterfalls Maine Waterfalls Massachusetts Waterfalls New Hampshire Waterfalls Rhode Island Waterfalls Vermont Waterfalls Top 100 US Waterfalls New England Waterfalls guidebook on Amazon New England Waterfalls guidebook on Amazon New England Waterfalls header bar

SCREW AUGER FALLS-GRAFTON

Grafton Township, Maine



RATING: 4.5 / 5.0 stars (Excellent) Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
(see below for larger image and additional photographs)
STATE: Maine
COUNTY: Oxford
TOWN: Grafton Township
PARK: Grafton Notch State Park
PRIVATE PROPERTY: No
TYPE: Plunge and cascades
HEIGHT: Main plunge is 25 feet
WATER SOURCE: Bear River
WATERSHED SIZE: Medium
TRAIL LENGTH: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
HIKING TIME: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
ALTITUDE GAIN: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
WHEN TO VISIT: May to October
SWIMMING: Good (although it's difficult to access the pools within the gorge)
DELORME ATLAS: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
HANDICAP ACCESS: Yes (a nicely-maintained dirt path leads to a view of the upper falls ; unfortunately, there are no handicap-accessible views of the main/lower falls)
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
COST TO VISIT: Yes (a per-person parking fee is charged; bring cash)
LENS TO BRING: Wide-angle (14-35mm), standard (35-70mm), and/or short-telephoto (70-105mm)
ALTERNATE NAMES: Screw Auger Falls Gorge
GPS-TRAILHEAD: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
GPS-WATERFALL: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
COMPASS: Included within the New England Waterfalls guidebook
INCLUDED IN BOOK?: Yes, the falls are included as a full chapter within the guidebook
Share this page / follow New England Waterfalls on Facebook!

/

THE FALLS

Screw Auger Falls of Grafton Notch, not to be confused with the Screw Auger Falls of Gulf Hagas Brook, also located in Maine, is a 25-foot plunge over the lip of a broad granite ledge into a gorge. A transparent curtain of whitewater is created by the plunge. Below the main plunge, the Bear River travels through a curvaceous gorge, dropping an additional thirty feet in a series of cascades past giant potholes, shallow pools and grottoes. There is also a small natural arch here, a rarity for New England.

This waterfall is arguably Maine's most heavily visited. On a hot weekend day in July or August, you may share the falls and gorge with a hundred others. The breadth of sunny ledges and sunbathing spots, together with the ability to explore above and below the gorge, will allow you to enjoy this site immensely. Wooden fencing marks the gorge walls with stone steps to an upper wading area.

As you walk along the gorge to the best view point of the waterfall, historical information boards add to the fun experience. Here you will learn about settlers in the 1800's who built a saw mill directly over the falls in the 1850's. The mill was run by the power of the current and produced lumber until it burned in the 1860's. You also have the opportunity to learn about how the falls were initially formed. As glaciers began to melt thousands of years ago, excessive amounts of water flowed into the Bear River carrying rocks and sand along with the current. The consistent abrasion of these sediments smoothed away the gorge walls to create potholes that are still visible today from the gorge above.

There are several picnic tables, pit toilets, and a large parking area at the site (although it has been known to fill up on many summer weekends). If you have several more hours available, there are other great natural attractions within Grafton Notch State Park, including a moderate to difficult hike to Table Rock and a moderate trail to more falls and pools at Step Falls.

TRAIL INFORMATION

Trail information and directions for this particular waterfall can be found in the latest edition of the guidebook: New England Waterfalls.

DIRECTIONS

Trail information and directions for this particular waterfall can be found in the latest edition of the guidebook: New England Waterfalls.

UPDATES SINCE THE 2ND EDITION

NONE NOTED.

If you know of any updates to this waterfall, or notice any errors either on this website and/or within the New England Waterfalls guidebook, please send me an email at gparsons66@hotmail.com or leave a Facebook comment at the bottom of this page. Updates to all of the waterfalls in the latest edition of the guidebook can always be found here: book updates

OPTIONAL HIKES

None noted.

column spacer

PHOTOGRAPHS

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
beautiful fall foliage at Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
more foliage at Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
there's a small natural arch to be found here (this may be Maine's only natural arch)

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
the upper falls at Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
a signing explaining the formation of Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine
there are some fence-posts to prevent you from falling into Screw Auger Falls, Grafton, Maine

Puzzle Mountain Bakery, Grafton Notch, Maine
on the way to Screw Auger Falls is this delicious little pie/cookie stand called Puzzle Mountain Bakery

column spacer

INTERESTED IN VISITING MORE WATERFALLS IN NEW ENGLAND?

The 3rd edition of the New England Waterfalls guidebook contains 552-pages of detailed information on hundreds of waterfalls throughout all corners of New England. This 3rd edition has been completely updated and it is the first to be printed in FULL COLOR! Click on the image below to explore some sample pages of the guidebook on Amazon.com.

waterfall guidebook

New England Waterfalls guidebook

Over 30,000 copies sold!


also available on...

waterfall kindle

column spacer

TIPS FOR VISITING WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES

Here are some tips to help ensure that your trip to New England's waterfalls and swimming holes will be a safe and enjoyable one:
  • DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS - When you visit waterfalls, you should consider bringing all of the following: (a) bug spray; (b) food/snacks; (c) water/sports drinks; (d) camera/smart-phone; (e) guidebook/trail map; (f) daypack/backpack; and (g) hiking shoes, hiking boots or watershoes. A full day hiking packing list can be found here.
  • CONSIDER BUYING WATER SHOES - You won't see too many people using them, but watershoes are fantastic pieces of equipment that can make your trip to waterfalls and swimming holes safer and more enjoyable. Merrill and Keen make some fantastic watershoes (here are some great ones from Merrill: womens / mens).
  • LEAVE NO TRACE - When you visit waterfalls and swimming holes, you'll often see some trash and sometimes you'll even find clothing left behind by others. It's really, really sad, and it irks the heck out of us. Won't you consider carrying out some of trash and clothing left by others when you leave? That would leave the spot more beautiful for the next person. Bring a trash bag and be a hero!
  • PRIVATE PROPERTY - Many waterfalls and swimming holes are located on private property and so we are truly fortunate that many landowners allow us to enjoy them. If you want to ensure that they stay open to the public, please do your best to leave no trace. If you see a sign that says 'Private Property', turn around and find another waterfall to visit or a different place to swim.
  • BRING A DSLR CAMERA AND TRIPOD WITH YOU - If you want to take high-quality photographs of waterfalls, your smart-phone just won't cut it. Get a DSLR camera, a tripod, and learn to master the art of waterfall photography.
  • SCOUT FIRST, SWIM SECOND - Never enter a swimming hole without first scouting it, even if you see somebody else swimming in it. Stop and access the risks based upon the depth of water, the power of the current, evidence of slippery rocks, and other safety factors.
  • CLIFF JUMPING - Cliff jumping is dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous. Understand the risks before you partake in this activity. Many have died from doing this in New England. Here is a list of all known deaths at waterfalls and swimming holes in New England.
  • PLEASE DON'T BUILD ROCK CAIRNS - Please do not build new rock cairns at waterfalls or swimming holes. Cairns are a strong reminder of human presence, and don't we all want to see waterfalls in their natural state and glory? Photographers get particularly annoyed at seeing cairns, so please resist the urge to build them.
  • DON'T RELY ON YOUR GPS TO GET YOU TO THE TRAILHEAD - Waterfalls don't have addresses, so relying on your GPS to get you to a trailhead is great way to get yourself lost. You need a guidebook, a road atlas, and/or a hiking map to visit the vast majority of waterfalls in New England. Also keep in mind that waterfalls are often located in wild areas, where smart-phone map apps and car GPS units may not work at all.
  • WATERFALLS IN SPRING - The best time to visit waterfalls is generally in the spring during the annual snowmelt (which is April to June). However, most waterfalls will often look great for several days after a significant rain storm.
  • HELP KEEP THE ULTRA-SECRET SWIMMING HOLES A SECRET (FOREVER) - If you find some ultra-secret swimming holes, please do your best to keep them a secret. Do not post their locations online or wildly share directions or photos with others. All of the swimming holes that are included in the guidebook and online through this website are the well-known swimming spots. There are many more holes that are much further off the beaten path, but they deserve a chance to stay wild and pristine.
  • DON'T SCRAMBLE UP WATERFALLS - So many people been seriously injured and killed in the waterfalls of New England. Many of these folks got too close to a waterfall and slipped and fell. Don't become a statistic: stay far back from the edge.
  • WEAR TRACTION IF YOU VISIT WATERFALLS IN WINTER - Visiting waterfalls in winter can be rewarding, but there is often a higher element of danger. You may need crampons, snowshoes, and/or some other form of traction (like Microspikes) in order to safely hike to waterfalls in winter.
  • SUPPORT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONSERVE WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES - There are some organizations in New England that work diligently to conserve and maintain waterfalls and swimming holes. Please consider supporting these organizations, either with their trail maintenance projects or with monetary donations. Here are three excellent organizations engaged in this extremely important mission: the Trustees of Reservations, the Vermont River Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy.

HELPFUL LINKS

Here are some helpful links to help you explore and enjoy more waterfalls and hikes throughout New England:
  • Waterfalls of Connecticut = link
  • Waterfalls of Maine = link
  • Waterfalls of Massachusetts = link
  • Waterfalls of New Hampshire = link
  • Waterfalls of Rhode Island = link
  • Waterfalls of Vermont = link
  • Best Waterfalls in New England = link
  • Best Swimming Holes in New England = link
  • Top 25 Day Hikes in New England = link
  • Top 25 Family-Friendly Day Hikes in New England = link
  • Waterfalls Near Boston, Massachusetts = link
  • Waterfalls Near Lincoln, New Hampshire = link
  • Waterfalls Near North Conway, New Hampshire = link
  • Waterfalls Near Stowe, Vermont = link
  • Waterfall Photography Tips = link

OTHER WATERFALL GUIDEBOOKS

In addition to the New England Waterfalls guidebook, there are several other guidebooks that can help you find waterfalls and swimming holes in this region:
  • Connecticut Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2014) = link
  • Hiking Waterfalls in New England: A Guide to the Region's Best Waterfall Hikes (2nd Edition: 2022) = link
  • Hiking Waterfalls Maine: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes (1st Edition: 2020) = link
  • Vermont Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2015) = link
  • Waterfalls of the White Mountains: 30 Hikes to 100 Waterfalls (3rd Edition: 2019) = link

WATERFALLS ON FACEBOOK

Join the growing communities of waterfall aficionados on Facebook! You can share your photographs, follow the adventures of other waterfall hunters, and find new places to explore:

  • Request to join the "New England Waterfalls" community > link
  • Request to join the "New Hampshire Waterfalls" community > link
  • Request to join the "Northeastern Waterfalls" community > link
  • Request to join the "Vermont Waterfalls" community > link
  • Request to join the "Waterfalls of the United States" community > link
facebook icon

And if you'd like to follow the New England Waterfalls page on Facebook, click here.

ASK A QUESTION / LEAVE A COMMENT / PROVIDE AN UPDATE:

Feel free to ask a question, leave a comment, and/or provide an update relevant to this waterfall below.
(your desktop/laptop browser may block this section - try your smartphone or tablet if you don't see a comment section below)

column spacer
EXPLORE MORE OF NEW ENGLAND!
Connecticut /  Maine /  Massachusetts /  New Hampshire  /  Rhode Island  /  Vermont
Home Page /  About the Book /  Book Updates /  Top 40 Waterfalls /  Swimming Holes /  How To Use This Guide /  Contact Us
Waterfall Photography /  Top 25 New England Hikes /  4000 Footers of NH /  Bigroads.com

© newenglandwaterfalls.com
photographs/images may not be used without permission
Waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking can be extremely dangerous. Hundreds of people have been injured or killed in the waterfalls and swimming holes of New England over the years. Never swim in strong water currents. Don't jump into a swimming hole without scouting it first. Do not climb up or along the side of waterfalls. Be wary of slippery rocks. Never swim in pools above waterfalls. Use of this website and all of its information is at your own risk! Newenglandwaterfalls.com will not be held liable for your actions. Be safe out there - and always use common sense!

As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers.