Some places you don’t stumble into — you chase them. Moxie Falls was one of those places for me. A long drive into a part of Maine I’d never set foot in before, fueled by coffee and the promise of a waterfall I’d only seen in pictures.
Two hours and change on the road for a hike that barely cracks two miles round-trip? Sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud. My hips weren’t thrilled, and honestly, neither was my gas gauge. But the moment I stood at the overlook, mist on my face and the roar of 90 feet of falling water in my ears, I knew every mile was worth it.
That’s the thing about Maine: sometimes the journey feels longer than the reward. But when the payoff comes, it hits hard.
Moxie Falls is tucked away in Moxie Gore, a township with a name as rugged as the terrain around it. From where I started, it was about 106 miles — 2 hours and 11 minutes, give or take. But here’s the thing: in Maine, we measure distance in time, not mileage. And two hours on Maine’s backroads is its own adventure.
The route winds alongside the Kennebec River, part of the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. If you’re the type who usually puts your head down and drives, this stretch will force you to look up. Forest hugging the edges of the road, water glittering in your peripheral vision, and enough bends and turns to keep you wide awake.
At the beginning of the Byway, there’s a little gem called the Robbins Hill Scenic Overlook. Don’t skip it. Big parking lot, walking trails, and a view that slaps the tired right out of you. It’s the kind of place where you stop for “just a minute” and end up staying long enough for your coffee to go cold.
By the time I pulled into the Moxie Falls parking lot, I wasn’t surprised to find it packed. A steady stream of cars, hikers, and out-of-staters who clearly had the same idea I did. Luckily, I found a spot at the far end and wedged my Jeep in.
After a drive that long, the trail itself feels almost like cheating. About a mile round-trip, maybe a little more if you wander, it’s wide, well-kept, and friendly to just about any hiker.
The path winds through the woods with a few gentle ups and downs — enough to stretch your legs after two hours in the car, but nothing that will leave you gasping. For most of the way, it’s a straightforward forest walk, shaded and steady underfoot.
It isn’t until the end that things shift. As you approach the falls, you’ll find a series of stairs and wooden platforms built into the slope. These aren’t technical or dangerous, but they do remind you that the gorge is about 90 feet deep. The structures guide you down toward the overlooks, where the sound of the water grows louder with every step.
And then there it was.
Moxie Falls drops nearly 90 feet straight down, making it one of Maine’s tallest waterfalls. The sound hits you first — that steady, unrelenting rush of water hammering into the gorge below.
Several wooden platforms jut out from the trail, giving you vantage points. Some framed by trees, some wide open to the plunge itself. From one platform, I could see down into the pools at the base where people were swimming and cooling off. I didn’t scramble down that far, but it looked like the perfect antidote to a hot hike.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but think: all that driving, all that sitting, just to stand here for twenty minutes? And the answer was yes. Absolutely yes.
If you’re a photographer — amateur, pro, or just someone who wants proof for Instagram — Moxie Falls will test you. The light changes quickly, and the angles aren’t always obvious. But that’s half the fun.
Best Spots for Photos:
Camera Tips:
If you’re going to drive two hours for a one-mile hike, make it count.
Let’s be real. A lot of people will tell you driving two hours for a hike shorter than your lunch break is nuts. And maybe it is. My hips sure had their complaints.
But here’s the truth: Moxie Falls isn’t about the length of the trail. It’s about the weight of the moment. You drive, you walk, you wait — and then you stand on that platform with the roar of the falls in your ears, and it all balances out.
Some views demand patience. This is one of them.
Moxie Falls isn’t just a waterfall. It’s a reminder that sometimes the hardest part isn’t the hike — it’s convincing yourself the long drive is worth it. But in this case, it is.
The road up the Kennebec, the stop at Robbins Hill, the crowded lot, the short trail, the roar of the falls — every step and every mile adds to the story.
And when you finally stand there, staring into that drop, you realize the truth: some views you have to earn twice, once on the drive, and once on the trail.
So pack a cooler, grab your camera, and make the trip. Moxie Falls is waiting — and the drive is half the story.
Follow along if you want more stories from the trail and the flame. Stay curious. Stay kind. And if you can, get out and walk. Even if it’s just to the end of the driveway.
—Kevin
