Are there fees or permits required for Great Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Great Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Great Falls.

Live Conditions · 4 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Great Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Great Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Great Falls.

Maine

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 12 other waterfalls also named Great Falls, see below

Machias River UNKE · PVT

Photo Credits (5)

Me in ME CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Jody Roberts CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Me in ME CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Great Falls

Great Falls in Auburn, Maine, is a striking stretch of cascading water on the Androscoggin River that draws photographers and sightseers year-round; flows are especially dramatic in spring during snowmelt. The falls offer layered rocky ledges and a handful of established viewpoints that make for easy composition and a peaceful riverfront outing, whether you’re stopping in from nearby Lewiston or exploring Auburn’s waterfront. The site is located within the Machias River land unit (designation UNKE) and is listed as being managed by SPR, though the immediate riverfront is privately owned. Visitors should expect a mix of roadside and riverfront vantage points rather than large developed facilities; those seeking a longer walk can follow the local route that leads down to the best observation areas for photography and picnic stops.

The Setting

Great Falls sits at 72 feet within Machias River, fed by the Libby Brook, in the coastal lowlands of Maine.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Great Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

Route length: 2.4 miles out-and-back. Elevation gain: approximately 350 feet. Difficulty: moderate. Trail type: out-and-back. This route is commonly used to reach the riverfront observation points for Great Falls and combines short stretches of maintained paths with riverbank walking to reach viewpoints. There is no USFS trail name or number associated with this access route in the provided data; surface, grade, and formal trail class were not specified.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Great Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Great Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring is the best time to visit due to high water flow from snowmelt, but the falls are accessible and enjoyable year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Be cautious near the riverbanks and observation points, as rocks can be slippery. Avoid venturing too close to the water, especially during high flow periods.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

4 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

4 5 9 12

Based on 25 years of record

1.53 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine

USGS 01021470

7.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 6 sq mi

Altitude: 133 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine (11 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

4 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Low

4 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

5 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

5 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

5 cfs

4/10

Wed

Low

4 cfs

6/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Best window: Wed — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to early May, 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 Jonesport hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

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.

1-meter lidar measures about 19 feet of drop in the ground within a few hundred feet of Great Falls. The ground at the falls is roughly 76 feet above sea level.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Great Falls near Jonesport, Maine, showing about 19 feet of drop

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 76 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 19 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Great Falls is located in downtown Auburn, Maine, near the border with Lewiston. The falls can be accessed via Great Falls Plaza or nearby public areas along the Androscoggin River.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at nearby public lots in Auburn and Lewiston. Visitors can also park at Great Falls Plaza for easy access to viewing areas.

Elevation

72 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.777854° N, -67.584162° W

Land Management

Machias River UNKE

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring for the most dramatic water flow. Bring a camera for photography, and consider exploring the nearby Riverwalk for additional scenic views. Be cautious near the riverbanks, as rocks may be slippery.