Tobey Falls is a brilliant waterfall on Big Wilson Stream. A slide fall, the waters of Tobey Falls gush year-round at a 45-degree angle. While it’s only an 8-foot drop, the angle and pressure of Tobey Falls make it breathtaking.
Tobey Falls was originally known as Greenwood Falls. Alexander Greenwood, son of American Revolutionary War Patriot John Greenwood, was a surveyor in Hebron, Maine. He was sent to Monson in 1823 to lot the land Hebron Academy owned in Monson. He moved his family to Monson, and was the surveyor for many surrounding towns. In 1827, he had charge of a crew driving logs down Wilson Stream, in Willimantic. They stopped to rest after the last log was over the falls, and Alexander was struck by a fatal blow to the head from a falling tree limb. From this incident, the falls were named Greenwood Falls.
Directions: Tobey Falls is marked on Google maps, which makes it easy to find. From Guilford, take Route 150 north for about nine miles to Elliotsville Road. Continue straight onto Elliotsville Road as Route 150 bears right. You’ll drive over a small bridge and pass Willimantic Road on your left. Drive 1.4 miles and look for Tobey Falls Road on your left. It’s a passable dirt road. At 0.8 miles down Tobey Falls Road, you’ll pass through an open yellow gate. Soon after going over a wooden bridge, you’ll see the parking area on your right. It was unsigned in the fall of 2022.
Thanks to Carolyn Sproul for direction updates!