Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Kees Falls — Waterfalls 8.9 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Speckled Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 581072
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Speckled Mountain quadrangle, the waterfall known as Kees Falls sits 8.9 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Kees Falls as a waterfall on the Speckled Mountain topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 581072. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Kees Falls sits at 44.34340° N, 70.94813° W (DMS 44°20′36″ N, 70°56′53″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 0.00000° N, 0.00000° W — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other waterfalls in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 19 waterfalls catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Kees Falls itself. The ones closest to Kees Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mad River Falls | Wild River | 4.8 mi |
| Kezar Falls | North Waterford | 12 mi |
| Screw Auger Falls | Old Speck Mountain | 15.9 mi |
| Mother Walker Falls | Old Speck Mountain | 16.3 mi |
| Bisco Falls | West Paris | 20.8 mi |
| The Cataracts | Andover | 20.9 mi |
| Swans Falls | Fryeburg | 21.2 mi |
| Dunn Falls | B Pond | 22.1 mi |
| Steep Falls | Norway | 22.6 mi |
| Ellis Falls | Ellis Pond | 24 mi |
Features on the USGS Speckled Mountain Quadrangle
The Speckled Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 37 catalogued natural features alongside Kees Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.9 mi |
| Gammon Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Caribou Spring | Springs | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Haystack Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Mud Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Haystack Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Morrison Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Peabody Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.9 mi |
| Tyler Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| The Roost | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing WSW out of Bethel for 8.9 miles (west-southwest) and you reach Kees Falls; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 15 minutes.
Best time to visit
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry. At this latitude (44.343°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 8.9-mile drive from Chapman Inn makes it practical for a half-day outing — you can check conditions in the morning and still turn back if the weather closes in. Conditions at Kees Falls track the nearby Caribou Mountain summit (0.9 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Kees Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.9 mi |
| Gammon Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Caribou Spring | Springs | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Haystack Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Mud Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kees Falls located?
Kees Falls is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 8.9 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Speckled Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Kees Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 15 minutes, 8.9 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Kees Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Kees Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581072 on the Speckled Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Kees Falls?
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry.
How many other waterfalls are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 18 other waterfalls in Oxford County, Maine.