LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Before you go
No hiking trail reaches Holmes Falls; it is a canoe-trip destination on the Machias River with a portage trail and primitive campsites. Fires are allowed only in authorized campsites with fire rings.
About Holmes Falls
Holmes Falls is a set of falls on the Machias River in Washington County, Maine, in the remote stretch between Route 9 and Whitneyville near Northfield and Centerville. It lies in the Machias River Corridor, where the State of Maine owns the shoreline or holds conservation easements on it, and public recreational access is guaranteed. The falls are mainly a canoe-trip stop: paddlers carry around Holmes Falls and camp there, and the difficult Little Holmes Falls rapid is just downstream.
The Setting
Holmes Falls sits at 85 feet within Machias River Watershed - Asc, in the coastal lowlands of Maine.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No marked hiking trail to Holmes Falls is published. Paddlers use a portage trail around the falls, described as an open carry with a short climb followed by a descent back to the river.
What to Expect
Expect a remote, undeveloped river setting with primitive campsites and privies and no other facilities.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Holmes Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Holmes Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Paddlers run the Machias River in May or early June, when water levels are usually adequate. Expect black flies and mosquitoes then.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the falls, as the rocks can be slippery. Be prepared for limited cell service in the area. Check weather conditions before visiting, as the trail may become muddy or difficult to navigate after heavy rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine (4 km away).
Today
Moderate
5 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
6 cfs
8/10Thu
Moderate
5 cfs
8/10Fri
Moderate
6 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
6 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
7 cfs
6/10Mon
Moderate
7 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 8/10).
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.
Is Holmes Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Holmes Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 36°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 5 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.
1-meter lidar measures about 31 feet of drop in the ground within a few hundred feet of Holmes Falls. Elevation at the pin is about 86 feet.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 86 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 31 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
Holmes Falls is usually reached by canoe on the Machias River, often starting at the Route 9 access at Airline Rapids. Below Route 9 there are few places to reach the river by logging road until Whitneyville, and the gravel roads require careful driving and a detailed map. It is not near Calais, and there is no Holmes Falls Preserve.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
85 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.796464° N, -67.672219° W
Land Management
Managed by OTHS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail may be muddy or uneven in places. Bring bug spray during warmer months, as mosquitoes and other insects can be present. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
Where to Stay
Oceanfront Sunset View Cabin
Robinson's Cottages
Coastal Red Farmhouse w/Firepit - Holiday Home
Cozy Coastal Cabin 4
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Little Holmes Falls is just downstream and Great Falls is about 10 river miles farther down. The Machias River Preserve has hiking trails near Whitneyville and Machias.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also see wildflowers and other native plants along the trail.
Cities near Holmes Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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