The hike from Daicey Pond to Little and Big Niagara Falls at Baxter State Park is one of the easiest and most fun hikes in the park.
At only 2.6 miles there back, the hike can be done in under 2 hours, but you’ll want to spend some time enjoying the falls.
The falls vary greatly depending on water levels. The first time I went on a warm day in September, water levels were very low, making it a great place for a picnic on the rocks and a nice play to swim. There are several rocks you can jump off or slide down. That must have been a particularly dry summer.
Next time I went in July of the following year after a big rain storm, the falls looked completely different. No longer a relaxing place for a picnic and a swim, this time the falls were absolutely raging. The rocks that we had walked on were now covered in white water. It was still a cool place to photograph, but it was no longer safe for swimming, and the trail was much muddier.
I went again in October of the same year from a trail on the other side of the stream, the Lily Pad Pond Trail to Windy Pitch Pond Trail, again after a big rain storm and again the falls were raging. It’s quite a sight to see the falls when they are so powerful but I prefer when the water levels are lower so that you can walk around on the rocks and go swimming.
Either way, this is one of my favorite waterfall locations in Maine, although nearby Katahdin Stream Falls in Baxter State Park wins for being the most picturesque!
[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/AT Niagara Falls.gpx”]| Duration | Distance | Ascent | Difficulty |
| 2 Hours | 2.6 Miles | 705 ft | Easy |
Finding The Trail Head
The hike begins at the Day Use Parking Area at Daicey Pond Campground in Baxter State Park where you’ll get on the Appalachian Trail (AT).
To get to Daicey Pond Campground, you’ll turn left at the gate to Baxter State Park on Park Tote Road. Drive past Katahdin Stream Campground and Abol Campground until you reach the junction for Daicey Pond Road on your left. Take that left and continue to the campground and day use parking area.
Hike Description
If you’re staying at the campground, the Daicey Pond Nature Trail will connect you to the AT. The trail consists of a well cleared dirt path through the woods.
When it’s rained hard recently, bring water shoes or waterproof shoes, as the trail can get muddy and you may have to navigate around (or through) some large puddles.
After only 0.9 miles on the AT, you’ll arrive at Little Niagara Falls. When you’re done enjoying this location, hike another 0.3 miles south on the AT to Big Niagara Falls. These were my favorite of the two falls, as there are lots of huge rocks to walk around on and a great place to swim (if the water levels are low).
I’m including pictures below of times when the water levels were high and low.
