Screw Auger Falls
Maine • 23 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Screw Auger Falls
Screw Auger Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in Grafton Notch State Park, Maine. It features a series of cascades and pools carved into the bedrock by the Bear River. The falls are surrounded by lush forest and are a popular destination for visitors seeking a scenic and accessible natural attraction.
The Setting
Screw Auger Falls sits at 1,142 feet within Grafton Notch State Park, in the foothills of Maine. The falls drop 23 feet.
Height: 23 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Dryad Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire at 300 feet, lies 12.2 miles to the southwest. Also nearby: Silver Ripple Cascade (30 ft, 11.5 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The trail to Screw Auger Falls is very short and easy, making it accessible to most visitors. It leads directly from the parking area to the falls, with minimal elevation gain. The path is well-maintained and provides excellent views of the cascades and surrounding forest.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 23 feet. 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 Screw Auger Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Screw Auger Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Screw Auger Falls is during the spring and early summer when water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt. Fall is also a great time to visit, as the surrounding foliage provides a stunning backdrop.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the water, as the rocks can be slippery and the currents strong. Keep children and pets under close supervision. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions, as the trail and rocks may become hazardous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Ellis River, 8.8 miles away, not on Screw Auger Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
75 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 45 years of record
5.17 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Ellis River at South Andover, Maine (14 km away).
Today
Strong
82 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Strong
89 cfs
9/10Thu
Strong
95 cfs
7/10Fri
Strong
90 cfs
7/10Sat
Strong
89 cfs
7/10Sun
Strong
98 cfs
7/10Mon
Strong
98 cfs
10/10Best window: Mon — 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 Screw Auger Falls Frozen?
Updated about 9 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Screw Auger Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 37°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.
The bare-earth surface loses about 77 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 23 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,139 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 43 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 23 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,139 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 77 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning light.
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
Getting There
Screw Auger Falls is located in Grafton Notch State Park, approximately 13.5 miles north of Bethel, Maine, along Route 26. The falls are well-marked with signage, and the parking area is adjacent to the main road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is a designated parking area near the falls, which is free of charge. The parking lot is relatively small, so it may fill up during peak seasons.
Elevation
1,142 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.572003° N, -70.910074° W
Land Management
Managed by SPR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking. Wear sturdy footwear, as the rocks near the falls can be slippery. Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery. Be cautious near the water, especially with children, as the rocks can be uneven and wet.
Where to Stay
Jordan Hotel
Grand Summit Hotel
River View Resort
Town & Country Inn & Resort
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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Nearby Campground
HASTINGS CAMPGROUND
15.6 miles away · 25 sites
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.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other attractions in Grafton Notch State Park include Mother Walker Falls, Moose Cave, and hiking trails such as the Eyebrow Loop Trail and Table Rock Trail.
Wildlife
Visitors may encounter wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and deer in the surrounding forest. Be cautious and respectful of the natural habitat.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Screw Auger Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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