Grand Pitch

Penobscot County, Maine

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Penobscot County, Maine
Access status: Published trail route in a national monument
The walk: About 3.5 miles each way to the Grand Pitch Lean-to, plus a short path
Ground & access: Double-track road, then riverside trail. Stay back from the edges at the falls.

From the trailhead, follow the double-track road toward the East Branch Penobscot River, then the narrower trail to Haskell Rock Pitch at 2 miles. Follow the river for another mile to Pond Pitch and a half mile more to the Grand Pitch Lean-to. A short path leads to Grand Pitch, the highest falls on this section of the river. Portage trails give views along the falls.

Plan your visit

Haskell Gate trailhead on the Grand Pitch Trail (International Appalachian Trail) to Grand Pitch

Maine Trail Finder places the Grand Pitch Lean-to 3.5 miles from the trailhead, with a short path from there to the falls. Return the same way, or loop back by the Lookout Trail from Pond Pitch.

Double-track road, then riverside trail. Stay back from the edges at the falls.

Where to start

Trailhead at the end of the road about 4 miles south of the monument entrance just beyond Matagamon Wilderness Store and Camps on ME-159 (Haskell Gate on the New River Road, per NPS). Permits are needed for overnight parking.

Timing & water

The last 4 miles of road are not open to vehicles in winter. NPS says roads are gravel and rough, signage is sparse and cell reception is spotty. Watch for logging trucks.

Before you go

NPS says entrance fees may apply; see the monument Fees and Passes page. Hut stays and overnight parking need permits. Lean-tos are first come, first served.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Maine

Waterfall location

Penobscot County, Maine.

Open location map