The park contains the Mahoosuc Notch, often cited by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers as the most difficult mile of the entire 2,190-mile trail due to giant boulder crawls.
Screw Auger Falls has created a narrow, deep gorge through schist and granite bedrock over thousands of years.
The park serves as a vital corridor for Maine's moose population, which frequently congregates near the wetlands and road corridors.
The Appalachian Trail crosses through the park at an elevation of approximately 1,250 feet before climbing toward the 4,000-foot peaks of the Mahoosuc Range.
The park's geology includes evidence of extreme glacial carving during the last ice age, visible in the rounded rock formations and deep canyons.
Grafton Notch State Park encompasses a 3,129-acre mountainous pass in the Mahoosuc Range of western Maine. It serves as a major segment of the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the park's rugged ridgelines. The park is geographically defined by the Bear River, which has carved significant geological features into the bedrock. Visitors access a series of distinctive natural formations including Mother Walker Falls, Screw Auger Falls, and Moose Cave. The terrain is characterized by high-elevation hardwood forests and steep-walled canyons. It remains a key destination for hikers seeking challenging backcountry terrain in the White Mountain National Forest periphery. The area is largely undeveloped, prioritizing environmental preservation and wilderness access.
The upper viewing platform at Screw Auger Falls looking down into the narrow gorge.
Carry physical paper maps as cellular service is non-existent throughout the notch.
Wear footwear with aggressive tread for navigating the wet, moss-covered boulders at the waterfalls.
Pack headlamps if hiking near the Notch, as the deep canyon walls block significant sunlight even during mid-day.
Attempting the Mahoosuc Notch trail without prior experience or during wet weather when rocks become dangerously slippery.
The park is primarily accessible from late spring through late autumn; winter access is limited by snow accumulation and road conditions.
Pack out all trash, follow Leave No Trace principles, and stay strictly on marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
