LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Thirtyfoot Falls
Maine • 30 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No trail or directions to this falls are published. The surrounding land is privately owned working forest reached by private logging roads; check North Maine Woods for road access rules and fees.
About Thirtyfoot Falls
Thirtyfoot Falls is a named waterfall on Second Currier Brook in the remote commercial forest of northern Maine, northwest of Baxter State Park, on land covered by the Pingree conservation easement. We found no published trail, directions or description of the falls.
The Setting
Thirtyfoot Falls sits at 1,243 feet within Pingree Easement, in the foothills of Maine. The falls drop 30 feet.
Height: 30 feet
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
The falls drop 30 feet.
Accessibility
The trail may not be suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Thirtyfoot Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Thirtyfoot Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is likely to have the most water flow due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 44°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Exercise caution near the waterfall, as rocks can be slippery. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions, as the trail may become hazardous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Branch Penobscot River, 24.3 miles away, not on Thirtyfoot Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
177 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 2 years of record
2.45 ft
Water depth at gauge
44°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
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. Water temperature is very cold at 44 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge E. Br. Penobscot River below Grand Lake Matagamon (39 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
191 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
185 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
180 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
179 cfs
4/10Thu
Barely Flowing
179 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
179 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
178 cfs
5/10Best window: Tomorrow — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to late May, peaking in May.
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 Patten hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Thirtyfoot Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Thirtyfoot Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 37°F to 30°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 177 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 88 feet of drop through Thirtyfoot Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 30 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,222 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 91 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 26 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing south, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,222 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 88 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
1,243 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.412538° N, -69.104773° W
Land Management
Managed by NGO
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail may have uneven or muddy sections, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during warmer months, as bugs can be present in the wooded areas.
Where to Stay
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
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Camping and Huts
24.6 miles away · 27 sites
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.govAdditional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious and respectful of the natural habitat.
Nearby Waterfalls
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