Are there fees or permits required for Ellis Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Ellis Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Ellis Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Ellis Falls.

Live Conditions · 76 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Ellis Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ellis Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ellis Falls.

Maine

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (4)

Av8rwiki CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

jcbwalsh CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Tony Webster CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Just Us 3 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Ellis Falls

Ellis Falls sits just outside the village of Andover, Maine, offering a charming series of cascading drops framed by mature forest. The falls make for a peaceful destination year-round—photographers and day-hikers often come for the layered rock ledges and the quiet woodland setting that surrounds the stream. The route winds through typical Maine forest and rewards hikers with a scenic waterfall viewpoint, so bring sturdy shoes and allow time to enjoy the cascades and nearby woods.

The Setting

Ellis Falls sits at 755 feet along the Ellis River, in the foothills of Maine.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Rumford Falls, the tallest waterfall in Maine at 176 feet, lies 10.7 miles to the southeast. Also nearby: Angel Falls (90 ft, 9.6 mi) and Silver Ripple Cascade (30 ft, 3.4 mi).

Rumford Falls Angel Falls Silver Ripple Cascade

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Trail surface and official USFS trail class/grade data are not provided in the available information. Expect a moderate hike through forest to reach the falls' primary viewing spot.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ellis Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Ellis Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

The rocks around the falls can be slippery, especially after rain. Exercise caution and supervise children closely.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Strong

76 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

57 85 302 627

Based on 45 years of record

5.18 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

Ellis River at South Andover, Maine

USGS 01054300

3.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 131 sq mi

Altitude: 619 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Ellis River at South Andover, Maine (6 km away).

High confidence

Strong right now

76 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

82 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Strong

89 cfs

10/10

Thu

Strong

99 cfs

8/10

Fri

Strong

92 cfs

7/10

Sat

Strong

89 cfs

7/10

Sun

Strong

95 cfs

9/10

Mon

Strong

96 cfs

10/10

Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early June, peaking in April.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Bethel hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Ellis Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Ellis Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 50°F to 38°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 79 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Maine.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 44 feet of drop through Ellis Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 752 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 26 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 30 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Ellis Falls near Bethel, Maine, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Ellis Falls near Bethel, Maine, showing about 44 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 752 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 44 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Ellis Falls is located off Route 120 in Andover, Maine. The falls are easily accessible with a short walk from the roadside.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small roadside parking area near the falls, but space may be limited.

Elevation

755 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.644228° N, -70.705625° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring or after rainfall for the best water flow. The area can be slippery, so wear sturdy footwear. Parking is limited, so arrive early during peak seasons.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

HASTINGS CAMPGROUND

24.4 miles away · 25 sites

Reservable

Overview Hastings Campground is located on Route 113 near the shore of Evans Brook in western Maine. It is situated in a rustic and remote part of White Mountain National Forest, not far from the towns of Gilead Me and Gorham, New Hampshire. Activities include fishing, hiking and mountain biking. The White Mountains boast pristine forests, clear mountain streams and rivers and the tallest peaks in the Northeast. The forest encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in New Hampshire and western Maine, and i

Book on Recreation.gov