Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Mad River Falls — Waterfalls 13.4 Miles SW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Wild River Quadrangle · GNIS 581110
Catalogued on the USGS Wild River quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine, Mad River Falls — a waterfall — lies 13.4 miles southwest of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581110, Mad River Falls is recorded as a waterfall on the USGS Wild River quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine (FIPS 23/017). Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Mad River Falls sits at 44.28840° N, 71.00618° W (DMS 44°17′18″ N, 71°00′22″ 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 Mad River Falls itself. The ones closest to Mad River Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kees Falls | Speckled Mountain | 4.8 mi |
| Kezar Falls | North Waterford | 11.4 mi |
| Swans Falls | Fryeburg | 17.3 mi |
| Screw Auger Falls | Old Speck Mountain | 20.2 mi |
| Mother Walker Falls | Old Speck Mountain | 20.4 mi |
| Bisco Falls | West Paris | 23.2 mi |
| Steep Falls | Norway | 24.1 mi |
| The Cataracts | Andover | 25.2 mi |
| Dunn Falls | B Pond | 26.3 mi |
| Rumford Falls | Rumford | 28.6 mi |
Features on the USGS Wild River Quadrangle
The Wild River 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 34 catalogued natural features alongside Mad River Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Branch Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Middle Branch Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Birch Knoll | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.7 mi |
| West Royce Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| East Royce Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Basin Brook | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| Basin Brook Reservoir | Reservoirs | Carroll County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| The Basin | Basins | Carroll County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Bickford Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 23-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Mad River Falls — 13.4 miles southwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing SW.
Best time to visit
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry. At this latitude (44.288°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 13.4 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Mad River Falls track the nearby South Branch Mad River stream (essentially adjacent) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Mad River Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Branch Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Middle Branch Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Mad River | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Birch Knoll | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.7 mi |
| West Royce Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mad River Falls located?
Mad River Falls is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 13.4 miles southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Wild River topographic quadrangle.
How far is Mad River Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 23 minutes, 13.4 miles southwest (bearing SW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Mad River Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Mad River Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581110 on the Wild River quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Mad River 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.