Grafton Notch State Park
Roadside natural features coexist with demanding Appalachian Trail terrain, creating very different levels of commitment inside one park.
Artwork inspired by N. C. Wyeth
Waterfalls, gorges, and the Mahoosuc Range line a mountain pass. Roadside natural features coexist with demanding Appalachian Trail terrain, creating very different levels of commitment inside one park. Glacial carving and resistant rock explain the concentrated drama. What distinguishes this from a generic stop is the way Screw Auger Falls, Mahoosuc Range, and Appalachian Trail remain connected on the ground.
Pair one roadside stop with one trail proportionate to weather and ability; do not let easy access disguise mountain exposure. Parking, steep rock, high water, ice, and rapidly changing weather require separate plans for every stop. At Grafton Notch State Park, route choice and environmental conditions matter more than headline mileage or a single map pin.
- Area
- 3,129 acres
- Route
- Maine 26
- Trail
- Appalachian Trail
Quick guide
- Start with
- Pair one roadside stop with one trail proportionate to weather and ability; do not let easy access disguise mountain exposure.
- Look closely at
- Compare Mahoosuc Range with Appalachian Trail; the relationship reveals something the headline feature alone cannot.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Pair one roadside stop with one trail proportionate to weather and ability; do not let easy access disguise mountain exposure.
- Look closely at
- Compare Mahoosuc Range with Appalachian Trail; the relationship reveals something the headline feature alone cannot.
- Connect the story
- Compare roadside waterfalls with the Mahoosuc backcountry to understand how the same mountain pass supports radically different visits.
- Plan around
- Check current conditions before leaving, set a turnaround time, and preserve enough daylight to examine Appalachian Trail rather than rushing past it.
Good to know
Parking, steep rock, high water, ice, and rapidly changing weather require separate plans for every stop.
Notice these
- Screw Auger Falls
- Mahoosuc Range
- Appalachian Trail