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Description
Be Prepared for Your Visit - check the Bureau's Safety Page.
Location Lat 44.572106 / -70.902701 for Screw Auger Falls Parking Lot; On Route 26 near the New Hampshire border and approximately 14 miles north of Bethel.
Hours / Season Open 9:00 a.m. to sunset daily from May 15 to October 15. Fee charged. - cash or check only, no credit cards accepted.
Off Season Visitors may continue to enjoy the park during the off season during these same hours. Please place the admission fee in the self-service collection canister. Please be aware that facilities are closed during the off season. See the When to Visit section at the bottom of this page for more details.
Sightseeing and backcountry hiking amidst spectacular peaks and gorges await you!
Grafton Notch State Park and the Mahoosuc Public Lands are a premier recreational destination lying amidst some of Maine's most spectacular mountains the Mahoosuc Range. These lands offer rugged terrain for backcountry hikers and include 12 of the most challenging miles along the entire Appalachian Trail. Hikers who negotiate the steep summit trails are rewarded with spectacular views, particularly on Old Speck (4,180 feet).
Those who seek tamer adventures can find short walks leading to impressive waterfalls and gorges. The renowned Grafton Notch Scenic Byway bisects the Park and several pull-offs highlight interesting natural features. In Grafton Notch State Park, part of the Maine Birding Trail, birdwatchers can observe peregrine falcons, a wide variety of songbirds, and - at higher elevations - northern forest species. At lower elevations, visitors commonly observe large mammals, even in the vicinity of Route 26. Hunters come in search of deer, bear and grouse, while fishermen try their luck for brook trout in many area streams.
In winter, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers enjoy exploring the lands. The popular snowmobile route ITS 82 runs across this region from Andover to New Hampshire's Trail 18.
The Mahoosuc Public Lands contain a 9,993-acre Ecological Reserve designated by the State to sustain sensitive ecosystems in their natural condition and provide for monitoring of ecological changes over time. The Reserve includes a sub-alpine tarn, Speck Pond, and several rare plant and animal species. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Public Lands manages portions of the Mahoosuc Public Land Unit for timber production (in addition to other benefits). The timber management practices are certified sustainable and help support the costs of maintaining Public Lands.
Read the July 11, 2019 Rubys on the Road review of the park.
Partners and Supporters
This land was conserved with support from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Trust for Public Land, Open Space Institute, U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, Land for Maine's Future Program, Mahoosuc Land Trust, and many other contributors.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the AT south of Route 26 and the Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the stretch north of Route 26.
Popular Stops Along Route 26
Screw Auger Falls: A walking path from Route 26 leads to this 23-foot waterfall lying in a narrow gorge along the Bear River. Many visitors enjoy wading in the shallow pools, but supervise children closely and avoid the lip of the falls.
Mother Walker Falls: This V-shaped gorge, named for a long-time local resident, is more than 40 feet and 980 feet long. It's a short walk from Route 26: supervise children closely.
Moose Cave: In this 200-foot-long gorge, lying within a 45-foot-deep canyon in the bedrock, water skirts boulders and disappears temporarily into a cave beneath a huge granite slab. The loop trail to Moose Cave, off Route 26, is a quarter-mile long with some narrow spots and steep slopes.
Spruce Meadow Picnic Area: Lying in the park's northern portion, this picturesque setting offers tables (with grills) overlooking a wildlife-rich marsh and Old Speck Mountain.
Sustainable Forest Management on Maine's Public Lands
Sustainable forest management is one of the many principal land management activities that take place on Maine's Public Reserved Lands. Scientifically-based timber harvests are planned in coordination with recreation, wildlife, forest health, and scenic considerations. Revenues from certified sustainable forestry timber sales support the management and maintenance of trails, campsites, roads and other infrastructure and wildlife management projects.