If you’ve spent any time searching for things to do near The Forks, Maine, Moxie Falls keeps coming up — and for good reason. At nearly 90 feet of single vertical drop, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire state. The hike in is easy enough for kids, the trail is well-maintained, and the payoff at the end stops most people in their tracks.
For groups staying at Adventure Bound in Caratunk, Moxie Falls is the most popular add-on to a rafting or adventure day. It’s just a few minutes down the road, it requires no technical skill or experience, and it’s the kind of view that makes people genuinely glad they came to this corner of Maine.
Here’s everything you need to plan your visit.
About Moxie Falls
Moxie Falls sits in the township of Moxie Gore, just off Route 201 north of The Forks. Moxie Stream tumbles down through the forest before plunging nearly 90 feet into a dramatic gorge — making it one of Maine’s highest single-drop waterfalls. Above the main falls, a series of smaller cascades and pools add to the experience, and wooden observation platforms give you multiple vantage points to take it all in.
The falls are managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and access is free. Dogs are welcome on leash. Stay on the marked trail and observation platforms at all times — the terrain near the falls is rugged and the rocks are slippery. Do not approach the top of the falls.
The full trail details and user reviews are available on Maine Trail Finder, which is the best resource for up-to-date trail conditions.
The Hike: What to Expect
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation gain: Minimal — roughly 100–120 feet total
Surface: Gravel, packed dirt, rock ledge, boardwalk near the falls
Pets: Permitted on leash
Fees: None
The trail starts at a parking area off Moxie Pond Road, about 2.3 miles from the junction with Route 201 in The Forks. The first half of the hike is wide, flat, and well-graded — genuinely accessible for most ages and fitness levels. It passes through beautiful mixed hardwood and softwood forest, the kind of quiet Maine woods that reminds you why you made the drive up Route 201.
About halfway in, you’ll cross a woods road and see a welcome sign. This is a good landmark — the falls are close from here. The trail becomes slightly more rugged past this point, with wooden stairs and boardwalk sections leading down to the gorge. The footing near the falls can be slippery, especially after rain, so watch your step.
The final approach opens onto a series of wooden observation decks with dramatic views of the upper cascades and the main 90-foot drop. Most people spend 20–30 minutes here before heading back.
Total time on trail: Plan for 60–90 minutes including time at the falls.
Best Time to Visit
Moxie Falls is worth visiting in any season, but a few times of year stand out.
Spring brings the highest water volume — the stream runs full and powerful after snowmelt, and the roar of the falls carries up the trail before you even reach the observation decks. The surrounding forest is bright green and vivid.
Summer is the most popular time. The trail is at its best, the woods provide welcome shade, and the observation decks give you the falls in full flow. Weekends between 9 AM and 4 PM can get crowded — if possible, visit early in the morning or on a weekday. Groups staying at Adventure Bound can ask at the front desk about the swimming hole on Moxie Stream, located well above the falls.
Fall may be the most breathtaking. The trail passes through a tunnel of maples and birches that turn gold and orange in late September and early October. The combination of fall foliage, cascading water, and the quiet of the woods on a cool autumn morning is genuinely hard to beat.
Winter closes the trail to most casual visitors, but the falls freeze into a stunning column of ice that draws photographers and snowshoers willing to make the effort.
Getting There
From Adventure Bound in Caratunk, the drive to the Moxie Falls trailhead takes about 10 minutes.
Head north on Route 201 toward The Forks. When you reach the small village of The Forks — just before the bridge over the Kennebec River — turn right onto Moxie Pond Road. Follow this paved road for approximately 2.3 miles; the trailhead parking lot is on the left.
From Portland, the drive is approximately 2.5 hours via I-95 North and Route 201 North. From Boston, plan for about 4 hours. From New York City, the drive is approximately 7 hours. The entire route follows the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway — US Route 201 — which is one of the most scenic drives in the northeastern United States and worth taking your time on.
Making a Full Day of It in The Forks Area
Moxie Falls pairs naturally with just about everything else the Kennebec River valley has to offer. Most visitors who come to this area don’t realize how much is packed into a relatively small stretch of western Maine.
Combine it with a rafting trip. The Kennebec Gorge is less than 15 minutes from the Moxie Falls trailhead. Groups that raft with Adventure Bound in the morning and hike to Moxie Falls in the afternoon get two of the region’s best experiences in a single day. Adventure Bound’s guided hiking trips include transportation to Moxie Falls from the Adventure Center, making it easy to build into any group itinerary.
Explore the area. The Forks Area Chamber of Commerce (forksarea.com) is the best starting point for finding lodging, dining, and activities across the broader region. The area has more going on than most visitors expect — from kayaking and canoeing to ATV trails, fishing, and snowmobiling in winter.
Stay overnight. The Kennebec River valley is genuinely worth more than a day trip. Adventure Bound’s campground and cabin tents sit right on the river in Caratunk, about 10 minutes from Moxie Falls. Northern Outdoors, located in The Forks just up the road, offers full resort-style lodging with cabins and their Kennebec River Pub & Brewery — a great stop after a day on the trail or the river.
The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway runs directly through this area on Route 201, connecting Solon to Jackman along one of Maine’s most beautiful and underappreciated drives. If you have an extra day, following the byway north toward Jackman offers moose sightings, mountain views, and the kind of Maine wilderness that’s increasingly hard to find.
A Note on Crowds
Moxie Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Maine, and the parking lot fills up quickly on summer and fall weekends. The Maine Trail Finder listing notes this directly: if you arrive and the lot is full, please choose another trail rather than parking on the road.
The easiest way to avoid the crowds is to go early — before 9 AM on weekends — or to visit on a weekday. Groups staying at Adventure Bound have the advantage of flexibility; your guides can help you time a visit to Moxie Falls around the rest of your day’s activities.
Plan Your Visit
Moxie Falls is free, open year-round (trail conditions permitting), and about as accessible as a destination this dramatic can be. It’s the kind of place you visit once and tell people about for years.
If you’re planning a trip to the Kennebec River valley and want to build Moxie Falls into your group’s itinerary, Adventure Bound can help with transportation, scheduling, and everything else that goes into a well-organized day in the Maine woods.
Explore hiking options with Adventure Bound → See all activities and plan your trip → Learn about camping and lodging →
Adventure Bound | 1094 US Route 201, Caratunk, ME 04925 | 207-672-4300 | info@adv-bound.comadv-bound.com
