Chasing Waterfalls: A Father-Daughter Tradition in New England
There’s something timeless about the simple joy of hunting down a good swimming hole. For years, one of my favorite summer traditions has been packing up with my daughter and her friends — and dads — to roam New England in search of waterfalls, deep pools, and granite ledges made for cannonballs. We weren’t just looking for any old body of water. We were after the perfect spots: refreshing, remote, and just wild enough to feel like our own secret paradise.
Every summer, our crew would compare notes, scour maps, and ask locals for tips. From Vermont’s mossy glens to New Hampshire’s backcountry rivers, we built a highlight reel of unforgettable swimming spots. But one of the most memorable adventures of all time? Baxter State Park — a trip that delivered mountain views, cold water thrills, and stories that still make us laugh around the fire.
We set up camp just outside the park at New England Outdoors Center, and lucked into a site with jaw-dropping views of Mount Katahdin rising above Millinocket Lake. As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in warm hues, we devoured burgers and fries at River Driver’s Restaurant and took it all in. The mountain, the lake, the company — it was peak Maine.
The next morning, with the girls already buzzing, we loaded up our packs with snacks, water, towels, and sunscreen, and headed into Baxter. Our goal: Ledge Falls. Located about 7 miles past the park entrance along Baxter State Park Road, it’s one of those hidden gems that feels like a reward just for making the journey.
The short trail to the falls winds through classic North Woods forest, and before long, we could hear the rush of cold, clear water. In August, the flow was gentle enough to make swimming safe, but the water was still classic Maine: icy, fresh, and exhilarating. We spent hours leaping from the smooth granite ledges, cheering each other on, and lying on sun-warmed rocks between swims. The air was filled with laughter, splashes, and the occasional yelp when a back flip went sideways.
What makes places like Ledge Falls so special is the mix of wildness and accessibility. It feels off the beaten path, but it’s manageable — especially for a crew with teens and dads just trying to keep up. And with the mountain always looming in the distance, it’s hard not to feel a little awe-struck every time you look up.
After drying off and packing up, we capped the day with well-earned ice cream cones from the general store — the kind of cones that melt too fast in the August sun but are perfect all the same. Back at camp, the kids played cards, we shared stories around the fire, and the mountain glowed pink in the fading light.
Traditions like these don’t need much: good people, a tank of gas, and a willingness to explore. But they give back in spades.
Baxter and Ledge Falls gave us more than a swimming hole — it gave us another chapter in a story that keeps getting better every year.