Grafton Notch State Park

Grafton Notch State Park is located 14 miles north of Bethel in scenic Newry, Maine. It’s a year-round recreation destination that offers a little something for everyone—hiking, waterfalls, picnic areas, backpacking, swimming, fishing, scenic views, and more.

Name: Grafton Notch State Park

Location: Newry, Maine

Activities: hiking, backpacking, waterfalls, picnic area, swimming, fishing.

Dog-friendly: Yes, on-leash.

Hours: 9:00a.m.-sunset

Season: Year-round

Fees: No

Conservation

The land that makes up Grafton Notch State Park was conserved with support from several contributors, including but not limited to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Trust for Public Land, Land for Maine’s Future Program, and the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The portion of the AT that runs through Grafton Notch is maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.

Hiking

Grafton Notch is home to some of the most beautiful hiking in Maine, including:

Old Speck: a Maine 4000 footer, is a strenuous 7.6-mile hike that offers stunning 360 degree fire tower views of Western Maine and the White Mountains.

Eyebrow Loop Trail: a moderate, 2.2-mile loop trail that brings hikers to a scenic overlook of Grafton Notch.

Table Rock: a moderate, 2.4-mile loop trail that offers gorgeous views of Grafton Notch, Old Speck, and the Eyebrow Loop from a large rock ledge. If hiking with kids, opt for the blue-blazed trail that follows the AT.

BaldPate Mountain: a difficult, 7.6-mile hike that follows the Appalachian Trail and offers great views of Western Maine.

Grafton Notch Loop Trail: a difficult, 38-mile high-elevation trail that connects several peaks, including Old Speck, Sunday River Whitecap, Puzzle Mountain, and East and West Baldpate and offers scenic views of Grafton Notch and Western Maine.

Waterfalls

Grafton Notch is one the best waterfall destinations in Western Maine:

Screw Auger Falls: home to a 23-foot waterfall that lies in a narrow gauge along the Bear River.

Mother Walker Falls: A beautiful, v-shaped gorge that is 40-feet deep and 980 feet long.

Other Activities

Grafton Notch offers several other family-friendly spots, including:

Spruce Meadow Picnic Area: offers tables, grills, and views of Old Speck

Moose Cave: 200-foot gorge that will make you feel like a speck of dust in the universe

Our Experience

My husband and I grew up exploring and hiking in Grafton, so we try and visit at least twice a year. Our favorite activities are hiking Old Speck in the Fall, picnicking at Screw Auger Falls in the Spring, and hiking Table Rock in the Winter via the Appalachian Trail.

Happy exploring, friends!

MyMaine