Let The Water Fall!
Enjoying the cascades of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington Valley
Waterfalls, flumes, and cascades are the ideal place to take the family, or have a
romantic moment with a loved one. And nowhere in New England are waterfalls
so abundant and accessible for viewing and enjoying than in New Hampshire.
Here are just a few favorite waterfalls in the Mt. Washington Valley region of the
state.
An important note: while there is no admission to see the falls, you will be required to pay
$3.00 for a one-day or $5.00 for up to 7-day pass to park at any of the White Mountain
National Forest parking areas. These passes are available at any area Ranger Station, and at
a variety of places throughout Mt. Washington Valley.
Sabbaday Falls: There are three drops in the falls, pretty pools and a pothole
formed by the swirling waters and sand. You can’t swim here, but it‘s a great spot
for picnics. Directions: Take the Kancamagus Hwy from Conway. The Sabbaday
Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road joins the
Kanc. The falls are a short 0.33 mile hike in.
Glen Ellis Falls: The Ellis River plunges 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of
white water here. Make sure to stop and read the signs that describe the geology
and history of the area. Directions: The turn-off to the falls is 0.7 miles south of
Pinkham Notch on Route 16. This is also the parking area for the Glen Boulder
and Wildcat Ridge Trails. A tunnel takes you to the other side of the highway
where you turn right to reach the falls. It’s a relatively easy 0.2 mile walk to the
falls.
Crystal Cascade: This is a two-tiered spectacular fall, with a dramatic 60’ wall of
water, followed by a 20’ plunge, ending with the river making a 90 degree turn at
the bottom. Directions: Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and take the path
on the left of the Trading Post – the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The falls are a 0.3
mile walk up.
Thompson Falls: This is actually a series of falls along Thompson Brook at
Wildcat Ski Area. The views to Mt. Washington from the highest ledge are worth
the trip! Directions: Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area. To reach the falls, take the
“Way of Wildcat” Nature Trail from the ski area’s parking lot. At the far end of
the trail loop, you’ll find the path to the falls. It’s a 0.7 mile easy trek to the falls.
Arethusa Falls: Measuring in at about 176 feet, these are the highest single falls in
New Hampshire. A bonus here is Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum
Falls can all be visited at the same time. Directions: Take Route 302 toward
Bretton Woods and look for Crawford Notch State Park entrance. Turn onto a
paved road just beyond the park and park on the short side road below the
railroad tracks. The trail starts to the left of the private road above the RR tracks
and it’s about 1.3 miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook
Falls, Coliseum Falls & Fawn Pool).
Flume Cascade & Silver Cascade: These falls are easily viewable from the car,
but you can get close for a better look. Directions: On Route 302, just below
Crawford Notch Depot.
Ripley Falls & Kendron Flume: An easy hike with swimming holes at the top of
the falls and pools upstream. It’s not safe, however, to climb the face of the falls.
Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is off Route 302 at the old Wiley
House station.
Jackson Falls: These are one of the popular watering holes for locals on a hot
summer day. Easily accessible, they offer wonderful pools and small falls to cool
off under. A few picnic tables nearby offer the perfect spot for a picnic lunch,
dinner or cocktail. Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 mile from
Route 16A in Jackson.
Diana’s Baths: On a full moon night, this is one of the most romantic places in the
world. The water supply for the area is located above this, so no access is
allowed above, but this series of small falls, and pools offers the perfect place to
cool off. You’ll hike about ½ mile in, following a well-marked trail to find them.
Directions: Access the trailhead from west Side Rd., about ½ mile beyond the
point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.
For more information on visiting Mt. Washington Valley, call 1-800-367-3364 and
request a free Tips and Tours guidebook or visit Mt. Washington Valley.
AND ... there are plenty of waterfalls in other parts of the state! For more
information visit: New Hampshire Waterfalls.
One reader recommends: "For family friendly fun, you can’t beat Sculptured Rocks. It
combines unique geological formations, white water and a swimming hole, with hiking
trails going up the ridge beyond it. It is free and easily accessible even to baby strollers."
Enjoying the cascades of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington Valley
Waterfalls, flumes, and cascades are the ideal place to take the family, or have a
romantic moment with a loved one. And nowhere in New England are waterfalls
so abundant and accessible for viewing and enjoying than in New Hampshire.
Here are just a few favorite waterfalls in the Mt. Washington Valley region of the
state.
An important note: while there is no admission to see the falls, you will be required to pay
$3.00 for a one-day or $5.00 for up to 7-day pass to park at any of the White Mountain
National Forest parking areas. These passes are available at any area Ranger Station, and at
a variety of places throughout Mt. Washington Valley.
Sabbaday Falls: There are three drops in the falls, pretty pools and a pothole
formed by the swirling waters and sand. You can’t swim here, but it‘s a great spot
for picnics. Directions: Take the Kancamagus Hwy from Conway. The Sabbaday
Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road joins the
Kanc. The falls are a short 0.33 mile hike in.
Glen Ellis Falls: The Ellis River plunges 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of
white water here. Make sure to stop and read the signs that describe the geology
and history of the area. Directions: The turn-off to the falls is 0.7 miles south of
Pinkham Notch on Route 16. This is also the parking area for the Glen Boulder
and Wildcat Ridge Trails. A tunnel takes you to the other side of the highway
where you turn right to reach the falls. It’s a relatively easy 0.2 mile walk to the
falls.
Crystal Cascade: This is a two-tiered spectacular fall, with a dramatic 60’ wall of
water, followed by a 20’ plunge, ending with the river making a 90 degree turn at
the bottom. Directions: Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and take the path
on the left of the Trading Post – the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The falls are a 0.3
mile walk up.
Thompson Falls: This is actually a series of falls along Thompson Brook at
Wildcat Ski Area. The views to Mt. Washington from the highest ledge are worth
the trip! Directions: Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area. To reach the falls, take the
“Way of Wildcat” Nature Trail from the ski area’s parking lot. At the far end of
the trail loop, you’ll find the path to the falls. It’s a 0.7 mile easy trek to the falls.
Arethusa Falls: Measuring in at about 176 feet, these are the highest single falls in
New Hampshire. A bonus here is Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum
Falls can all be visited at the same time. Directions: Take Route 302 toward
Bretton Woods and look for Crawford Notch State Park entrance. Turn onto a
paved road just beyond the park and park on the short side road below the
railroad tracks. The trail starts to the left of the private road above the RR tracks
and it’s about 1.3 miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook
Falls, Coliseum Falls & Fawn Pool).
Flume Cascade & Silver Cascade: These falls are easily viewable from the car,
but you can get close for a better look. Directions: On Route 302, just below
Crawford Notch Depot.
Ripley Falls & Kendron Flume: An easy hike with swimming holes at the top of
the falls and pools upstream. It’s not safe, however, to climb the face of the falls.
Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is off Route 302 at the old Wiley
House station.
Jackson Falls: These are one of the popular watering holes for locals on a hot
summer day. Easily accessible, they offer wonderful pools and small falls to cool
off under. A few picnic tables nearby offer the perfect spot for a picnic lunch,
dinner or cocktail. Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 mile from
Route 16A in Jackson.
Diana’s Baths: On a full moon night, this is one of the most romantic places in the
world. The water supply for the area is located above this, so no access is
allowed above, but this series of small falls, and pools offers the perfect place to
cool off. You’ll hike about ½ mile in, following a well-marked trail to find them.
Directions: Access the trailhead from west Side Rd., about ½ mile beyond the
point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.
For more information on visiting Mt. Washington Valley, call 1-800-367-3364 and
request a free Tips and Tours guidebook or visit Mt. Washington Valley.
AND ... there are plenty of waterfalls in other parts of the state! For more
information visit: New Hampshire Waterfalls.
One reader recommends: "For family friendly fun, you can’t beat Sculptured Rocks. It
combines unique geological formations, white water and a swimming hole, with hiking
trails going up the ridge beyond it. It is free and easily accessible even to baby strollers."
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