Jellystone Park ™ Madison, ME at Yonder hill
Campground
4.2 (358)
221 Lakewood Rd, Madison, ME 04950
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
State-Managed Waterfall TrailME
Moxie Falls
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Moxie Falls: Trail, Cautious Water Access and No Camping. Confirm the exact entrance, manager rules, fees and services before travel.
Swimming restriction
Manager-attributed cautious swimming allowance and waterfall hiking; no jumping recommendation or surveyed entry established. No safe swimming month guaranteed. Check manager notices, flow and weather; cold or high water can make a permitted activity unsuitable.
Official sources checked:
Water type
State-Managed Waterfall Trail
Access
Informal
Fee
Manager-attributed trail information lists no fee.
Best season
No safe swimming month guaranteed. Check manager notices, flow and weather
Nearby towns
Waterville, Skowhegan, West Forks
Water body
Moxie Stream Waterfall And Pools
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Waterville, Skowhegan, West Forks
Access location not verified
WEST FORKS, ME
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A waterfall walk with manager-described swimming cautions
Moxie Falls near The Forks is a scenic Moxie Stream destination with a roughly two-mile round-trip trail. The manager-attributed Maine Trail Finder page expressly allows swimming under the falls with due caution. That statement is not a surveyed depth, safe gorge descent or current water-quality clearance.
Keep the first half and the falls approach distinct
The first half is relatively broad and gradual; halfway in is a recommended turnaround for wheeled mobility equipment or strollers. Beyond that, stairs, boardwalks and observation platforms cross rugged terrain. A convenient trail does not mean the pool entrance is equally accessible.
Use the trailhead, not an improvised gorge scramble
The manager description places the trailhead on the left about 2.3 miles along Moxie Pond/Lake Moxie Road from The Forks. If its lot is full, choose another trail. A 2020 Maine Warden Service rescue describes a serious embankment fall, not a present closure; do not descend unmarked steep banks or jump from ledges.
Camp elsewhere and check conditions first
The manager page lists no trail fee and explicitly prohibits camping at the falls. Private lodging or campgrounds elsewhere require separate arrangements. Avoid high flow, wet ledges and storm conditions; permission for swimming does not guarantee a safe day to enter.
Check the destination information
Getting There
Use the named Lake Moxie Road trailhead near The Forks and follow maintained stairs/platforms. Check the manager route and choose another trail if the lot is full; do not improvise steep gorge access.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use the named Lake Moxie Road trailhead near The Forks and follow maintained stairs/platforms. Check the manager route and choose another trail if the lot is full; do not improvise steep gorge access.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Manager-attributed cautious swimming allowance and waterfall hiking; no jumping recommendation or surveyed entry established. No safe swimming month guaranteed. Check manager notices, flow and weather; cold or high water can make a permitted activity unsuitable. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moxie Falls
Does the manager prohibit all swimming at Moxie Falls?
No. The trail-manager information explicitly allows swimming under the falls with due caution. It does not certify a safe descent, depth or current water quality.
How long is the waterfall walk?
The published route is approximately two miles round trip. Return on the maintained trail rather than extending onto unmarked gorge paths.
Is the whole trail suitable for strollers?
The manager recommends a turnaround around halfway for strollers or wheeled mobility equipment. Stairs and rugged boardwalk terrain follow beyond that point.
What if the parking lot is full?
The manager page asks visitors to choose another trail. Do not turn a full lot into roadside parking permission.
Can we camp beside the falls?
No. Camping at the falls is prohibited by the manager-attributed trail information. Arrange a separate permitted stay.
Does the old rescue report mean the falls are closed?
No current closure is inferred from the 2020 embankment rescue. It illustrates the danger of steep gorge terrain; check present notices directly.
Highlights
90-foot waterfall
Deep swimming basin
Moderate hiking trail
Seasonal foliage
Wildlife spotting
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
No safe swimming month guaranteed. Check manager notices, flow and weather; cold or high water can make a permitted activity unsuitable.
Difficulty Level
Use the intended legal route and confirm mobility needs; no surveyed accessible bathing entry established.
Fee
Manager-attributed trail information lists no fee.
Facilities
Maintained trail, stairs, boardwalks and observation platforms. No lifeguard or pool-side changing/toilet service established by the source.
Activities
Manager-attributed cautious swimming allowance and waterfall hiking; no jumping recommendation or surveyed entry established.
Phone
207-624-6080
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Camping is explicitly not allowed at the falls. Book separate authorized accommodation.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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