13 of the Best Waterfalls in the White Mountains

Are waterfalls one of those things you look for when visiting a new destination? For us, they are, and the White Mountains certainly had no shortage of them! From those easily accessible from the road side to ones requiring a little bit of a hike, there are so many waterfalls in the White Mountains to choose from!

Arethusa Falls is one of the most popular, as the tallest single drop waterfall in New Hampshire. Easily accessible from the road side are Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Silver Cascade, and Flume Cascade. Because there are so many to choose from, we have created a list of our favorites to help you with itinerary planning!

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Waterfalls in the White Mountains

Arethusa Falls

Arethusa Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the White Mountains and one you won’t want to miss! It is the tallest single drop waterfall in New Hampshire at 150 feet tall, located inside Crawford Notch State Park. The falls are accessible along Route 302.

The hike to Arethusa Falls is a moderate 3.1-mile round-trip trek with approximately 850 feet of elevation gain. Begin at the Arethusa Falls Trailhead on NH Route 302. After about 0.1 miles, turn left onto the Bemis Brook Trail and follow it for roughly half a mile.

Along the way, you’ll pass two smaller waterfalls before the trail begins climbing. At the next junction, turn left to continue on the Arethusa Falls Trail. When you reach the Arethusa–Ripley Falls Trail junction, continue straight to remain on the Arethusa Falls Trail and follow it to the falls.

There are two parking areas for Arethusa Falls off of US Route 302. There is the upper lot and then the lower/overflow lot. This is one of the most popular waterfalls in the White Mountains and the parking area tends to fill up quickly, so plan on arriving early.

Jackson Falls

Jackson Falls is a 100 ft. waterfall in Jackson, New Hampshire. Jackson Falls is a quick and easy roadside stop, making it one of the best waterfalls in the White Mountains to visit. The falls is a series of wide cascades over ledges and boulders gradually rather than a direct drop along the Wildcat River. There are multiple shallow pools and small slides that are good for wading.

There is no hike required to view Jackson Falls, it is accessible right from roadside pull offs. There is no elevation gain, making it a great option for families with kids of any age. In the summer months, Jackson Falls is a popular spot for swimming, wading, and picnicking.

Parking for Jackson Falls is along Carter Notch Road just outside of Jackson, NH. There is a 2 hour limit for parking.

Waterfalls in the White Mountains: Sabbaday Falls

Sabbady Falls is a short but rewarding waterfall hike in the White Mountains, accessible from the Kancamagus Highway. Sabbady Falls is a 35 ft., 3 tier cascading waterfall with pools at the foot of the falls. The waters in the pools have an aqua color and the surrounding rocks are covered with moss, creating a unique, scenic view.

There is a wooden staircase /boardwalk leading up to the upper falls. The entire trail is 0.7 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 125 ft. The trail is through a forested area that follows the Sabbaday Brook, so there is plenty of shade.

Swimming/wading is prohibited directly near the falls, but we saw several families wading in different areas along the Sabbady Brook.

The trailhead for Sabbady Falls is located directly off of the Kancamagus Highway. There is a decent sized parking area with signs marking the area. A White Mountain National Forest parking pass is required ($5 at the time of this writing). There are seasonal restrooms available.

Lower Falls

Lower Falls is a easily accessible waterfall that is a popular area for swimming and picnicking. The waterfall can be reached with just a short hike (with no elevation gain) from a parking area on the side of the Kancamagus Highway.

The Lower Falls area features wide cascades, smooth granite ledges, and deep swimming holes along the Swift River. We did swim when visiting Lower Falls and recommend that you bring/wear water shoes for traction and due to rocks at the bottom. There are no lifeguards here, so be sure to use extra caution when visiting with younger children.

Parking for Lower Falls is found directly off of the Kancamagus Highway. There is a decent sized parking lot, but it does fill up very quickly. When we visited, we had to drive past and come back later to find a spot. A White Mountain National Forest pass is required for parking. Seasonal restrooms are available near the parking area.

Waterfalls in the White Mountains: Silver & Flume Cascades

Silver & Flume Cascades are two of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the White Mountains. They are visible from the roadside inside Crawford Notch State Park. The falls are within a couple hundred feet of each other (on opposite sides of the road), so you can easily visit both at one stop.

Silver Cascade is about 250 feet in total, with a series of cascades flowing into the Saco Rvier. The falls flow on the side of Mount Jackson, one of New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers. The falls are visible from the road side, but you can take a short walk to reach the base of the falls.

Flume Cascade also has a series of cascades that flow down into the Saco River. You can view the falls from the roadside, or you can take a short hike to the base of the falls and up the rocks to the side of the falls for some better views.

There is a parking area off of US Route 302 so you can stop and view the falls.

Rocky Gorge

The Rocky Gorge waterfall sits in one of the most unique scenes in the area, making it one of the best waterfalls in the White Mountains. It is easily accessible and can be reached with just a short walk from a parking area off the Kancamagus Highway.

While the waterfall here is not as tall as many of the others at just 10 ft. tall, Rocky Gorge is a very interesting place to explore. It flows through a narrow granite channel along the Swift River.

There is a short gravel path that takes you to a viewing area and footbridge that will take you out over the river. Along the way, you can walk over the rocky river bed, but be cautious because the rocks can be very slippery.

Swimming/wading is not recommended here due to strong currents, especially in the Spring and after heavy rain. There is a decent sized parking area off of the Kancamagus Highway. A White Mountain National Forest pass is required to park here.

Glen Ellis Falls

Located in Pinkham Notch on the Ellis River, Glen Ellis Falls is a 64 ft. tall waterfall in the White Mountains. The trail to the falls is easy and accessible at just 0.4 miles, making it one of the best waterfalls in the White Mountains for families. The trail is paved up until you reach the stairs.

The trail is reached from a parking area just a mile south of the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. From the parking area, follow the trail under a tunnel beneath the road and then along the river. The trail will first take you to the top of the falls, with a set of stairs that will take you down to the main viewing platform. After viewing the falls, return to the parking area the same way you came.

Crystal Cascades

Also located in Pinkham Notch, the Crystal Cascades sit along the trail to the Mount Washington summit. Crystal Cascades has two separate drops, an upper and lower cascade.

To reach the falls, you will take the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. The trail to the falls is mostly flat. You will cross a bridge over the Ellis River before reaching the falls.

The trail is 0.7 miles round trip. Of course, if you are up for a challenge, you could continue on the trail to the Mount Washington summit. But the hike to the falls is easy and very doable for families.

Parking for Crystal Cascades is at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Restrooms are available at the visitor center.

Waterfalls in the White Mountains: The Flume Gorge

The Flume Gorge is a popular destination in Franconia Notch State Park. The trail through the gorge is a 2 mile loop that takes you through the gorge and past several small waterfalls, through covered bridges, and past glacial pools. Avalanche Falls is one of the larger waterfalls in the Flume Gorge.

The Flume Gorge Trail is a little more challenging than some of the other waterfall hikes, with an elevation gain of about 800 feet. The hike is worth it though, and the Flume Gorge features some of the most scenic views in the White Mountains.

The parking area for the Flume Gorge is located off of I-93 inside Franconia Notch State Park. There is a large parking area. Advanced reservations are highly recommended as the Flume Gorge gets very busy.

Diana’s Baths

Diana’s Baths is an easily accessible waterfall in Bartlett along Lucy Brook, making it one of best waterfalls in the White Mountains. The falls are about 75 ft. in total height. However, instead of a single waterfall, the site features multiple granite ledges with flowing water that spreads out across wide rock slabs. The trail is 1.3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 200 ft. over a steady incline.

The trail head for Diana’s Baths is found on West Side Road near Bartlett/North Conway, NH. Diana’s Baths can be very crowded, especially in the summer months. To avoid the crowds and get a parking spot, you will want to plan on arriving early.

Seasonal restrooms are available near the parking area. Diana’s Baths is part of the US National Forest System and there is an entrance fee. There is a large parking area with a self-pay station.

Ripley Falls

Ripley Falls is a 100 ft. waterfall in the White Mountains flowing over a smooth rock wall at a 60 degree angle. Because of this angle, the water flows against the rock most of the way down. Ripley Falls is unique as one of the steepest-angled slides in New England, making it one of the best waterfalls in the White Mountains. The falls is located in the Crawford Notch area.

The trail to Ripley Falls is 2.4 miles round trip. The trail begins at the Ethan Pond trail head and follows along the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. You will pass over a railroad track before being the ascent up to Ripley Falls.

The parking area for Ripley Falls is at the end of Willey House Station Road off of US Route 302. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly on summer days, so plan on arriving early. If the lot is full parking is allowed on the side of the dirt road.

Champney Falls

Champney Falls is a popular waterfall hike along the Kancamagus Highway. The trail is 3.1 miles round-trip. Champney Falls flows from the side of Mt. Chocorua. There is another waterfall a short distance from Champney Falls-Pitcher Falls. This falls is set back in a narrow gorge.

The trail to Champney Falls starts out gently along the Champney Brook. At the beginning you will cross a bridge over Twin Brook. As the trail continues, it becomes steeper and rockier along a gradual incline. Near the falls, the trail steepens briefly and reaches a series of open granite ledges alongside the cascading water.

The parking area for Champney Falls is located along the Kancamagus Highway. The parking area is small and fills up quickly during popular times.

The Basin

Located in the Southern section of Franconia Notch State Park, the Basin is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the White Mountains. The Basin is a large pothole in the Pemigewasset River with a 30 ft. diameter and depth of 15 ft. It was formed 25,000 years ago from a melting glacier that filled the Franconia Notch.

The trail to reach the Basin is a short, ten minute walk along a mostly paved trail. After you reach the Basin, if you want more of a hike you can continue on the Basin-Cascade Trail, a 2.5 mile trail that will take you past Kinsman Falls and Rocky Glen Falls.

There are two large parking areas off of I-93 that will give you access to the trail leading to the Basin. There are picnic tables and restrooms near the parking areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

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