Hiking to Howe Brook Falls in Baxter State Park, Maine

In the wild northern reaches of Baxter State Park, the Howe Brook Trail follows a sparkling mountain brook up through a staircase of smooth chutes, clear pools, and mossy cascades to a lovely waterfall at its head. Beginning from the shore of South Branch Pond, it is one of the friendliest and most rewarding wilderness hikes in this vast Maine park — a favorite for families, swimmers, and anyone who loves the sound of running water. Here is a guide to hiking Howe Brook Falls.

About Howe Brook Falls

Howe Brook Falls lies in the northern half of Baxter State Park, above South Branch Pond. Howe Brook tumbles down a rocky course and empties into Lower South Branch Pond, part of the East Branch Penobscot watershed. Rather than a single drop, the falls are really a series of chutes, cascades, and deep pools that climb the brook, culminating at the top in a roughly 20-foot sheer waterfall plunging into a cold pool. All of it is cradled in the dramatic glacial valley between North Traveler and South Branch mountains.

The Hike to the Falls

The hike begins at the Pogy Notch trailhead, in the southeast corner of the South Branch Pond Campground. An easy, flat mile leads along the eastern shore of Lower South Branch Pond, then a left turn onto the Howe Brook Trail. From there the path climbs gently beside the brook: the first smooth chutes and pools appear within a few hundred yards, followed by a continuous run of little cascades. About two miles in, the trail ends at the base of the tall upper falls. The full round trip runs roughly four miles and is only moderately challenging, winding past moss-covered boulders and inviting swimming holes. The lower pools are close enough to make a wonderful short outing for young children.

South Branch Pond

The trailhead sits at South Branch Pond Campground, the largest campground in Baxter State Park. Tucked in a steep-walled valley between the Travelers, it offers tent sites, waterfront lean-tos, a bunkhouse, a picnic area, and inexpensive canoe and kayak rentals — making it a hub for paddlers and hikers exploring the park’s northern country. Like all of Baxter, it is a true wilderness base: there is no electricity, no potable water, and no cell service, which is exactly the point.

Baxter State Park

The park itself is one of Maine’s crown jewels. It was assembled by former Governor Percival P. Baxter, who donated the land in 28 gifts between 1931 and 1962 to create a wilderness of more than 200,000 acres, to remain “forever wild.” At its heart rises Mount Katahdin, whose Baxter Peak, at 5,267 feet, is the highest point in Maine and the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Near South Branch stands The Traveler, the highest volcanic mountain in New England — a reminder of how rugged and grand this corner of the state can be.

Know Before You Go

• Plan your entry. Baxter has seasonal gate hours and day-use parking reservations in the busy season; check current rules at the park before you go.
• Come self-sufficient. There is no potable water, no cell service, and no store; carry in everything you need and carry out all trash.
• Leave pets at home. Baxter State Park does not allow pets on its trails or in its campgrounds.
• Tread lightly. Wear sturdy footwear, follow Leave No Trace, and help keep this wilderness pristine.

More Baxter and Katahdin-Region Hikes

Howe Brook is just one of many rewards in the park’s northern country. For more, see our guide to the trails of Baxter State Park’s northern half, or the climb up nearby Horse Mountain. Travelers making the long drive north from central Maine often pass through the Kennebec Valley; our own town of Winslow, with its colonial-era Fort Halifax, makes a fitting stop on the way to the North Woods.

Frequently Asked Questions