Silver Ripple Cascade sounds like the beautiful dog-friendly waterfall that it is near Andover, Maine, but you'll be in the Devil's Den.
Waterfall Details
- Type of waterfall: Cascades, horsetails, and small plunges
- Height: 30 feet total
- Active season: May through October
- Trail difficulty: Easy
- Trail length: Negligible
- Leash rules: Under voice control on a leash
The waterfall here is the Silver Ripple Cascade, but it's the gorge and cave that bring the ominous name Devil's Den.
You'll enter the stream and walk through an area where the gorge walls climb above you. This is off a popular ATV trail, so you might hear others riding nearby or stopping for a look.
Most signs here will point you to Devil's Den, which is past the swimming hole about 150 feet beyond the base of the falls.
In the winter, the cave is a "Poor Man's Ice Castle" and is just stunning to see, with icicles and frozen waterfalls creating a maze to explore the cave.
Dogs can come as long as they listen to voice commands or are on a leash.
Waterfall Safety
As with any waterfall, you should use your own judgment if the water current is safe enough for you to explore and stay away from any areas where you'd be climbing the waterfall. The rocks are dark here, which means you won't be able to tell if they are wet or dry easily. Every step should be taken carefully.
Don't drink the water or let your pet drink any. The water will also be cold, so plan ahead for a towel or blanket to dry off and warm up your pet.
There are several sources that call the swimming hole a "great" place to jump in, but with the dark water, there's no way to eyeball how deep it is.
Visitors during winter or early spring should bring crampons for boots as the area around the falls and cave will be very slick. You also need to watch for falling ice from above.
Parking at Waterfall
Parking is free, but you'll take some backroads to get there. From ME 120 and Arm Road, take Arm Road, even past the fork with Lohnes Road. You'll go another two miles before you come to Devil's Den Road. It's a small road on the east side of the street. Almost immediately, you'll see a bridge. Park on the right before you cross the bridge. The falls and cave start 30 feet downstream
Waterfall Dog-Friendly Rating: A
