QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: 1.2 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: falls, dam, people fishing
The 1.2-mile unmarked walk to a dam and rapids follows a Snowmobile/ATV track most of the way — including a stretch along the power lines. At roughly 0.5 miles, the ATV track veers right off the power line toward the river. A half mile or so from this point, look for a side path to your right. It’ll be marked by a pile of stones. Shortly after, you’ll cross a small bridge over a stream. Follow this path 0.2 miles to an open area in the woods where you can check out the falls and listen to their roar. (When we visited in early 2023, a large tree had blocked this trail, forcing an awkward climb over.)
The part of the river closer to the bridge and parking area is popular with anglers, and there’s a rough herd path that follows the river edge for about 0.2 miles to give them access to the water.
The ATV track to the falls offers pretty good walking, but try to avoid it when it’s muddy (general advice applicable to most everything!). Also, AllTrails suggests that the trail gets overgrown in the summer and can be tick infested, so it’s best hiked in the colder seasons.
The hydroelectric dam is called the Eel Weir Project. Swimming, fires, alcoholic beverages, and firearms are forbidden. Additionally, a sign at the trailhead warns people to heed the warning of three blasts as they proceed a big discharge of water.
Note: There is another Gilman Falls up north on the Penobscot River. This Gilman Falls is on the Presumpscot.
Directions: The large parking area is off Route 35, and is 0.6 miles west of the intersection of Routes 35 and 302 in North Windham.
