A Tiny Maine Town With a Waterfall Trail Nobody Talks About

If you haven’t heard of this, it’s okay, not many of us have, until now. It’s one of those spots that make you say, how the heck did I not know about this after living here my entire life? Allow me to introduce you to Step Falls Preserve in Newry, Maine 

It’s tucked right outside of Grafton Notch State Park.  And honey, it is certainly one of my favorite hidden gems.

My wife and I honeymooned in Rangeley, which is not far from Newry and found this hidden gem on a hike. It’s something straight out of your moms nature calendar. The highlight is in the spring the waterfalls are absolutely roaring!  

You just follow the path alongside Wight Brook, and my favorite part is hearing the falls before you see them. It felt like it was calling to us.  

Then suddenly you turn the corner and boom, there it is: a massive 250-foot cascading waterfall spilling over smooth granite ledges with crystal-clear pools scattered all the way down. 

And yes , you actually swim there, in the summer.  

There are these beautiful natural granite rocks that have created awesome little swimming holes and lounging spots that are so peaceful.  

After we left, we both said to each other, “We HAVE to come back here.” 

Spring may honestly be the best time to visit, though. Snowmelt gives the falls even more magical power, the woods are waking back up, and the crowds are still pretty manageable before peak summer tourism hits. 

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Basically, if Maine had a “locals try not to tell tourists about this place” list… Step Falls Preserve would absolutely be on it.