Is swimming allowed at Lower Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Lower Falls.

Nearby gauge (Seboeis River) · 56 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Lower Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Lower Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Lower Falls.

Maine

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 18 other waterfalls also named Lower Falls, see below

Before you go

No public trail or confirmed public access to this falls is published. The surrounding land may be private, so do not cross posted land without permission.

Photo Credits (5)

Me in ME CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Ken Lund CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

ems18 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

thepiper351 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

About Lower Falls

Lower Falls is a named falls on East Hastings Brook near Island Falls in southern Aroostook County, Maine, close to Hastings Falls Road and the West Branch Mattawamkeag River. An 1892 photograph in the Maine Memory Network shows the falls, but we found no current trail, access or land ownership information. It is not in the White Mountain National Forest.

Trail & Hike Details

What to Expect

Swimming is permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Lower Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Lower Falls?

✅ Swimming is allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the water flow is strongest during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides opportunities for wading in the water.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

The rocks near the falls can be slippery, especially when wet. Exercise caution when exploring the area. During spring, the water flow may be strong, so avoid getting too close to the edge.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Seboeis River, 15.6 miles away, not on Lower Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

56 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

46 125 463 598

Based on 28 years of record

4.75 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

Seboeis River near Shin Pond, Maine

USGS 01029200

15.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 174 sq mi

Altitude: 512 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Seboeis River near Shin Pond, Maine (25 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

56 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

60 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Strong

71 cfs

8/10

Thu

Strong

66 cfs

10/10

Fri

Strong

64 cfs

7/10

Sat

Strong

63 cfs

8/10

Sun

Strong

62 cfs

8/10

Mon

Strong

64 cfs

10/10

Best window: Thu — strong flow, mostly sunny (trip score 10/10).

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

Is Lower Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Lower Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 43°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: 60 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 59 feet of drop through Lower Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 613 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 39 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 51 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southeast, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Lower Falls near Island Falls, Maine, showing about 59 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 613 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 59 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Elevation

604 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.152272° N, -68.307808° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

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

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Camping and Huts

23.7 miles away · 27 sites

Reservable

Overview Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in Maine’s north woods. Katahdin Woods and Waters protects part of an extraordinary natural and cultural landscape: the mountains, woods, and waters where the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries, including the Wassataquoik Stream and the Seboeis River, run freely. Campsites, lean-tos and huts located throughout the monument provide opportunities to stay overnight while hiking, biking, paddling and enjoying other re

Book on Recreation.gov