One Of Maine's Most Iconic Waterfalls Is A Mesmerizing, Easy-To-Access Picnic Destination

"Screw Auger Falls" may not be a pretty name, but the place sure looks gorgeous in person: The waters fall like silk drapery over a 23-foot cliff and splash into a deep pool below, while Bear River maneuvers around boulders and fallen branches, gurgling its way down a rocky ravine. Above, visitors can admire the falls from gated viewpoints and slosh around in pockets of still water.

Screw Auger Falls is the symbolic heart of Grafton Notch State Park, and if you're driving this forested corridor between Maine and New Hampshire, the place is a perfect spot to stretch your legs and lay out a picnic. The falls are just a quick stroll from the parking lot, and wood tables are already set out. You can even bring your leashed dog; just remember to clean up after yourself. As you munch, you'll hear the sonorous whoosh of water beyond the rocky ledge. The region is particularly enchanting in autumn when it erupts with beautiful fall foliage.

Grafton Notch State Park is located on the western edge of Maine, not far from the New Hampshire border. In this case, "notch" means "mountain pass," and the road through Grafton Notch is a fairly direct route between the White Mountains and Maine's sparsely populated middle. At 1.2 billion years older, these hallowed mountains are older than the rings of Saturn and extend well beyond the horizon. 

Many travelers just drive through this remote frontier; Grafton Notch is an attractive detour on this road trip through Maine's best mountain views and cutest small towns, even if you're just viewing it through a windshield. But while you're here, you can make additional pit stops near Screw Auger: Drive another mile down Route 26, and you'll hit Mother Walker Falls, a subtler series of cascades along the same Bear River. Slightly farther is the deep gorge of Moose Cave, and it's not the kind of cave you can crawl into and explore; the river does disappear into massive rocks before emerging again. Any one of these locations makes for a pleasant break from the road.

Of course, you could also just stay; sporty visitors may fill days, even weeks, with outdoor activities in Grafton Notch. The Grafton Notch Campground is open to tents and RVs between mid-May and Columbus Day, and the nearby towns of Newry and Bethel have a nice range of accommodations and restaurants. Several (challenging) miles of the Appalachian Trail cut through Grafton Notch, the famous route intersects with a much longer local trail system. Do be aware that Grafton Notch does charge a day-use fee, amounting to $3 for adult residents and $4 for folks from other states. (Seniors are $1). 

For serious mountaineering, the park's granite cliffs are popular with rock climbers, and the frozen surfaces are ideal for ice climbing come winter. Once you've warmed up on the park's 4,188-foot Old Speck Mountain, head to New Hampshire for this popular but dangerous East Coast hiking trail that is not for amateurs. The fun is just getting started!