Grafton Notch State Park

Grafton Notch State Park covers just over 3,100 acres (about 1,260 ha) around the mountain pass between Old Speck Mountain and Baldpate Mountain in the Mahoosuc Mountains, and has existed since 1963. Route 26 runs right through it. Short, easy trails lead to the main sights: Screw Auger Falls (a 23-foot, or about 7 m, waterfall in a narrow gorge on the Bear River), Mother Walker Falls, and Moose Cave, a gorge where the water temporarily disappears beneath a large granite slab. A rugged stretch of the Appalachian Trail, about 12 miles (19 km) long, also passes through the park.

Allow about two hours for the three stops. The waterfalls carry the most water in late spring, and in fall the foliage adds to the scene. The parking areas are often full on weekend days, so off-peak times are better. According to the park’s website, the season runs from May 15 to October 15 (as of October 2026); an admission fee applies. The rock is slippery when wet.