Hadlock Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Hadlock Falls is a waterfall in Hancock County, Maine, about 5.4 miles southwest of Bar Harbor. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Hancock County, ME

Nearest town

Bar Harbor (5.4 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.5 from 33 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

44.33147, -68.28029

USGS topo

Southwest Harbor quad

Getting there

Hadlock Falls sits about 5.4 miles southwest of Bar Harbor in Hancock County. Google lists the address as Mt Desert, ME 04660.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Hadlock Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Access in Maine varies widely by region. Grafton Notch, Baxter and other state parks, Acadia National Park and many roadside sites are straightforward to reach, though Acadia requires a park pass and is very busy in summer. Much of the North Woods, however, is privately owned commercial forest, crossed by gravel logging roads that are shared with heavy trucks; some are gated, with checkpoints and fees for visitors. Cell service is limited or absent across large areas, so carry maps and plan fuel carefully. Hazards include cold, fast water during spring runoff, slick granite and slate, and remote terrain where help may be hours away. Many popular swimming holes have steep ledges, and water levels can change quickly after rain.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Hadlock Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Maine. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.33147, -68.28029 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Maine's waterfalls peak with snowmelt, which typically runs from April into late May, earlier along the coast and later in the high country of the western mountains and North Woods. Many logging roads are soft and muddy during this mud season, and some trailheads are not reachable until roads dry out. Late May through June is black fly season in the interior, so bring head nets and repellent. Summer flows drop but remain decent in wet years, and swimming holes like Smalls Falls and Screw Auger Falls are busiest in July and August. Fall color peaks from late September in the north to mid-October in the south, and autumn rains often restore flow. Winter is long and cold, with many falls frozen and many access roads unplowed. With 33 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Hadlock Falls holds a 4.5-star average across 33 Google reviews, and 76% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Hancock County. Visitors have shared 115 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

The federal gazetteer describes it this way: Located in Acadia NP.

Hadlock Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on May 8, 2001, and it appears on the USGS Southwest Harbor 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Cedar Swamp Mountain (summit, 0.3 mi), Bald Peak (summit, 0.3 mi), Birch Spring (spring, 0.4 mi), and Gilmore Peak (summit, 0.5 mi).

Aroostook and Downeast. Northern and eastern Maine are lower and more rolling, but rivers still break over ledges as they head for the St. John valley or the Atlantic. Fish River Falls near Fort Kent in Aroostook County is a classic north-country river drop. Washington County, Downeast, has numerous small falls on coastal rivers around Cherryfield and Calais. In Hancock County, Acadia National Park contains Hadlock Falls and Man O'War Brook Falls, short cascades on granite tumbling toward the sea, and Grand Falls is another river fall in the county. These falls tend to be modest but sit in striking coastal and forest settings.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Hadlock Falls about 5.4 miles southwest of Bar Harbor is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 33 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Hadlock Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.