Are there fees or permits required for Little Wilson Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Little Wilson Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Little Wilson Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Little Wilson Falls.

Nearby gauge (Piscataquis River) · 40 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Little Wilson Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Little Wilson Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Little Wilson Falls. Dogs are allowed on most of the Appalachian Trail and must be leashed on park land, but are banned in the Smokies and Baxter State Park.

Maine • 60 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Appalachian National Scenic Trail NT · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

John Hayes (gravelboy) CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Billy Wilson Photography CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

thatgirl CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

3.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

500 ft

About Little Wilson Falls

Little Wilson Falls tumbles roughly 60 feet into a forested gorge along Little Wilson Stream, offering a striking reward for a moderate Maine hike. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountain region and accessed from the corridor of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the falls sit within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail land unit (a National Trail managed by the National Park Service). The narrow gorge and cascading drop create dramatic photo opportunities and a peaceful spot to linger before returning to the trail. This cascade is a popular stop for day hikers and thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail corridor, providing an accessible slice of Maine wilderness without a long backcountry approach. Because the falls are reached from the established trail corridor, expect a mix of quiet forest, rocky ledges and streamside viewpoints that highlight the rugged, wooded character of the region.

The Setting

Little Wilson Falls sits at 830 feet within Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in the foothills of Maine. The falls drop 60 feet.

Height: 60 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Billings Falls (15 ft) lies 10.5 miles to the northeast.

Billings Falls

Trail & Hike Details

3.4 mi distance 500 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate 3.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 500 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

Trail: out-and-back along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor. Distance: 3.4 miles round trip. Elevation gain: about 500 feet. Difficulty: moderate. Surface and technical class: primarily natural tread through forest with rocky sections and stream crossings (no USFS trail number provided in source data). The route climbs and descends moderate grades, and footing can become slick or muddy in spring or after heavy rains—wear grippy shoes and be prepared for some rock-hopping near the falls. Managed as part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (National Trail) by the National Park Service.

What to Expect

The falls drop 60 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Little Wilson Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on most of the Appalachian Trail and must be leashed on park land, but are banned in the Smokies and Baxter State Park.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Little Wilson Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall when the trail is most accessible, and the waterfall flow is typically strong. Winter visits are possible but may require snowshoes or crampons.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Safety Information

Hikers should exercise caution near the edge of the gorge and around slippery rocks. Be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry a map or GPS device.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Piscataquis River, 9.2 miles away, not on Little Wilson Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

40 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

29 81 367 744

Based on 30 years of record

3.86 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

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

Piscataquis River at Blanchard, Maine

USGS 01031300

9.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 115 sq mi

Altitude: 563 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Piscataquis River at Blanchard, Maine (15 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

40 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

44 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Strong

46 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

48 cfs

9/10

Fri

Moderate

51 cfs

6/10

Sat

Strong

53 cfs

8/10

Sun

Strong

63 cfs

8/10

Mon

Moderate

58 cfs

9/10

Best window: Thu — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).

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

Is Little Wilson Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Little Wilson Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 33°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 43 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 133 feet of descent through Little Wilson Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 60 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 830 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 104 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 103 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Little Wilson Falls near Brownville Junction, Maine, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Little Wilson Falls near Brownville Junction, Maine, showing about 133 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 830 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 133 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Little Wilson Falls is located near Monson, Maine, and can be accessed via the Appalachian Trail. The trailhead is typically reached by driving along Elliotsville Road, which may require a high-clearance vehicle depending on road conditions.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available near the trailhead along Elliotsville Road, but spaces may be limited. Visitors should plan to arrive early during peak seasons.

Elevation

830 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.373937° N, -69.471718° W

Land Management

Appalachian National Scenic Trail NT

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking boots, especially during wet conditions. Bring bug spray in the summer months to protect against mosquitoes and black flies. Arrive early to secure parking and enjoy the trail with fewer crowds.

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With 3.4 miles and 500 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

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