12 Beautiful Waterfalls in New Hampshire
Did you know New Hampshire is home to so many beautiful waterfalls?!
New Hampshire is known for its fall foliage and mountain views, and most people do not realize it has incredible waterfalls throughout the state. They may not be the tallest in the US, but they are still absolutely stunning!
I grew up exploring New Hampshire and hiking to as many waterfalls as I could find, so I decided to put together this guide to help you discover some of the best waterfalls in the state.
Get ready to add a few beautiful new spots to your bucket list!
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What You Should Know Before Visiting New Hampshire’s Waterfalls
Before we dive into the most beautiful waterfalls in New Hampshire, you should know a few things!
When You Should Visit the Waterfalls
One of the best things about the waterfalls in New Hampshire is that you can visit year-round! They are honestly stunning no matter what time of year you explore them, and I have explored most in every season.
Late spring and early summer are by far the best time to explore waterfalls after the winter snow melts if you want to see them in all their glory. Spring usually has the most water, and it is just before peak season, making it the perfect time to explore.
As we move further into summer, the waterfall volume will decrease, and there may only be a small amount of water. It is also one of the busiest times in New Hampshire, so I recommend exploring the waterfalls early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid most crowds.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit New Hampshire because of the vibrant fall foliage. The waterfalls will be surrounded by beautiful colors and look picture-perfect!
Early fall is one of the busiest times in New Hampshire because of the fall foliage, so I recommend visiting the waterfalls early in the morning to avoid the midday crowds.
Winter is honestly one of my favorite times to visit waterfalls because they are so beautiful when frozen! If you are open to winter hiking and have proper gear, winter is a beautiful time to visit the waterfalls.
What to Pack for Chasing Waterfalls
New Hampshire mountain weather can be unpredictable, so it is crucial to pack the right gear and layers for the season you visit. I recommend reading recent trail reviews, looking up mountain forecasts, and checking local websites for trail closures to make sure you are prepared.
This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed for each season:
- hiking boots
- moisture-wicking clothes
- hiking backpack
- food and water
- rain jacket
- fleece jacket
- insulated jacket
- sunscreen
New Hampshire Waterfall Map
My Favorite Waterfalls in New Hampshire
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and not leave trash behind. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not, you must take your trash with you and dispose of it at the next available barrel. Let’s keep these beautiful places clean!
Arethusa Falls
Location: Crawford Notch
Hike length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Arethusa Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, standing at about 140 feet tall! Because it is the tallest, it is one of the most popular waterfalls, so I highly recommend hiking to it early in the morning or later in the afternoon. During busy seasons, the trailhead parking lot can fill up by 8 AM.
The hike to Arethusa Falls is 3 miles with 700 feet of elevation, making you work for the views. It is a constant climb, but trust me, the effort is worth it!
If you are looking for a longer trail, more strenuous hike, you can add Frankenstein Cliff to make it a 5-mile hike. The trail is steep, but Frankenstein Cliff offers beautiful views overlooking Crawford Notch, making it one of my favorite hikes in the area, especially in the fall!
Ripley Falls
Location: Crawford Notch
Hike length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Ripley Falls is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall located down the road from Arethusa Falls, and honestly, I love this waterfall more than the other. It tends to be a little less busy than Arethusa Falls, but the waterfall is just as beautiful.
The best part is that the 1.2-mile hike is relatively easy, and the view of the waterfall is stunning!
Diana’s Bath
Location: North Conway
Hike length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Diana’s Bath is one of the most popular waterfalls in New Hampshire because it doubles as a swimming hole in the warmer months.
Since it is popular, I recommend arriving at the trailhead early in the morning because the parking lot fills up quickly. Usually, a line of cars is waiting for a spot to open, so the earlier you get there, the better.
Diana’s Bath is an easy 1.2-mile hike, making it a great hike for the entire family. I loved hiking this as a kid and enjoying a refreshing swim in the summer.
Sabbaday Falls
Location: Kancamagus Highway
Hike length: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Sabbaday Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in New Hampshire, and it has always been one of my favorites! It has multiple cascades that end in an emerald-colored basin.
And the best part is that the hike is only 0.6 miles, most of which is flat. The trail has a boardwalk bringing you to various viewpoints of the falls. I recommend hiking the entire trail because each view is unique.
Because of its accessibility, Sabbaday Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in New Hampshire. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday crowds.
Champney Falls and Pitcher Falls
Location: Kancamagus Highway
Hike length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Champney Falls and Pitcher Falls are beautiful waterfalls along the Kancamagus Highway and should be on every waterfall bucket list. They are next to each other, so you get a two-for-one deal with this hike!
The 3-mile hike follows the Champney Falls Trail, which leads to the summit of Mount Chocorua. Although both of these waterfalls are beautiful, Pitcher Falls is my favorite!
Because these are on the most popular trail to Mount Chocorua, the parking lot fills up early in the morning. If you arrive late, you will likely see people parking on the street, so the earlier you can arrive, the better.
Of course, if you want to extend the hike, you can add Mount Chocorua! It is a strenuous 7.3-mile hike, but the 360-degree views from the top are spectacular.
Profile Falls
Location: Bristol
Hike length: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Profile Falls is south of the White Mountains, and it is often overlooked, but it is one of my favorite waterfalls! I grew up going to this waterfall, so it holds a special place in my heart.
And the best part? You only need to walk a short distance from the parking lot, making it great for the entire family! The beautiful 30-foot waterfall will quickly become one of your favorite waterfalls in New Hampshire.
Cloudland Falls
Location: Franconia Notch
Hike length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Cloudland Falls is one of the most visited waterfalls in New Hampshire because it is on the very popular Falling Waters Trail.
Falling Waters Trail is one of the most popular trails in the state because it leads to Mount Lincoln, Mount Lafayette, and the iconic Franconia Ridge. If you are looking to hike the full loop to both summits, you will be spending the day hiking 9 miles. The hike is strenuous and requires careful planning and preparation!
If you only want to hike to Cloudland Falls, you can hike 3 miles to the base of the waterfall. The trail leading to the falls is not easy, with a constant climb, gaining over 900 feet of elevation, but the waterfall is worth the effort.
Because Cloudland Falls is on one of the most popular trails, the parking lot fills up by 8 AM (and sometimes earlier). I recommend arriving as early as you can to secure a parking spot or taking the hiker shuttle from Cannon Mountain.
Avalanche Falls
Location: The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch
Hike length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Avalanche Falls is in the iconic Flume Gorge, standing 45 feet tall and cascading in one of the most beautiful places in the White Mountains. I grew up hiking the Flume Gorge, and I love recommending it because it is a wonderful family-friendly hike.
Although the Flume Gorge has multiple waterfalls along the 2-mile hike, Avalanche Falls is one of the most beautiful. The trail follows along a boardwalk for most of the hike, offering views of waterfalls and the gorge.
The Flume Gorge is one of the most popular hikes, so I recommend making your reservation in advance.
Crystal Cascade
Location: Pinkham Notch
Hike length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Crystal Cascade is easily one of my favorite waterfalls in New Hampshire, and I try to visit every year. It is on the iconic Tuckerman Ravine Trail that many hikers take to reach the summit of Mount Washington.
To get to Crystal Cascade, you will hike a short, easy 0.7-mile trail. The viewpoint overlooking the waterfall is breathtaking, and I already know it will become one of your favorites in the state!
Beaver Brook Falls
Location: Colebrook
Hike length: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Beaver Brook Falls is in northern New Hampshire, but it is worth the drive! The 80-foot waterfall is a stunning roadside attraction in Colebrook, where you can view it from the parking lot or walk along a short trail to the base of the falls.
Because it is far north in the state, I recommend visiting Dixville Notch while you are there! Dixville Notch has waterfalls, trails, and viewpoints, making it the perfect place to explore as you drive to Beaver Brook Falls.
Glen Ellis Falls
Location: Pinkham Notch
Hike length: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Last but certainly not least, we have one of my favorite waterfalls! Glen Ellis Falls is a gorgeous 64-foot waterfall that will easily become one of your favorites, too.
And the best part is you only need to hike a short 0.4-mile trail along a stone path down to the falls. The best viewpoint is at the end near the base of the falls, but the entire trail offers views of the surrounding landscapes, so you will not be bored.
New Hampshire Waterfalls FAQs
When is the best season to visit New Hampshire’s waterfalls?
One of the best things about the waterfalls in New Hampshire is that you can visit year-round!
Late spring and early summer are by far the best time to explore waterfalls after the winter snow melts if you want to see them in all their glory.
Fall is another one of the best times to visit the waterfalls because they are surrounded by beautiful fall foliage and look picture-perfect! Although the water volume is higher in spring, I prefer visiting the waterfalls in fall because of the foliage.
Do I need to hike to the waterfalls?
Most waterfalls in New Hampshire require a hike, but not all of them are strenuous!
One of the best things about these waterfalls is you can pick which type of trail you want to hike. You can hike longer, strenuous trails to some waterfalls or stick to short, easy ones.
What are some of the best waterfalls in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has many beautiful waterfalls, but a few of my favorites are:
Arethusa Falls
Ripley Falls
Sabbaday Falls
Champney Falls and Pitcher Falls
Crystal Cascade
Beaver Brook Falls
Are the waterfalls crowded in New Hampshire?
Yes, many of the waterfalls on this list can become crowded, especially midday.
If you want to avoid the midday crowds, I recommend arriving early. The trail will be far more peaceful and quiet.
Did you know that all of these waterfalls in New Hampshire existed? If you want to visit New Hampshire’s waterfalls, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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