Moxie Falls
An approachable forest trail reaches overlooks above a narrow series of cascades and the nearly 90-foot main drop.
Artwork inspired by Marsden Hartley
A high plunge drops into a rugged western Maine gorge. An approachable forest trail reaches overlooks above a narrow series of cascades and the nearly 90-foot main drop. The final ledges reveal more complexity than the headline height suggests.
Use every signed overlook in sequence and stay behind barriers, especially when spray, leaves, or ice make the rock deceptive. Unprotected edges, slippery roots, spring high water, and winter ice remain serious hazards. At Moxie Falls, route choice and environmental conditions matter more than headline mileage or a single map pin. Before leaving, compare main plunge with forest approach; the difference between them carries much of this discovery’s practical and historical value.
- Drop
- Nearly 90 feet
- Route
- About two miles round trip
- Waterway
- Moxie Stream
Quick guide
- Start with
- Use every signed overlook in sequence and stay behind barriers, especially when spray, leaves, or ice make the rock deceptive.
- Look closely at
- Compare gorge overlooks with forest approach; the relationship reveals something the headline feature alone cannot.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Use every signed overlook in sequence and stay behind barriers, especially when spray, leaves, or ice make the rock deceptive.
- Look closely at
- Compare gorge overlooks with forest approach; the relationship reveals something the headline feature alone cannot.
- Connect the story
- Compare the main plunge with smaller upstream cascades to see how Moxie Stream repeatedly exploits fractures in the gorge.
- Plan around
- Check current conditions before leaving, set a turnaround time, and preserve enough daylight to examine forest approach rather than rushing past it.
Good to know
Unprotected edges, slippery roots, spring high water, and winter ice remain serious hazards. Confirm the current official conditions before committing to the trip.
Notice these
- main plunge
- gorge overlooks
- forest approach