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10 Waterfalls You Must Visit This Spring/Summer In New Hampshire

Apr 01, 2021 06:49PM ● By Kaitlyn Malone
Visiting New Hampshire's waterfalls facilitates a great opportunity to take in the beautiful landscapes, the mountain ranges, lakes and rivers, trees, and rock formations that the state has to offer. Here are 10 waterfalls you should visit in New Hampshire this spring or summer. These awe-inspiring waterfalls will make your day worthwhile!


Glen Ellis Falls

This is a popular waterfall for tourists and locals alike. Glen Ellis Falls is a shorter waterfall with rough boulders that the water splashes over and around. It is an easy half-mile hike near Gorham, New Hampshire. It’s a great hike for all skill levels and excellent for a brief excursion into nature that also offers the reward of seeing a gorgeous waterfall at the end! It is located in the White Mountain National Forest.


Diana’s Baths

 If you are looking for a place to swim and maybe soak your feet, Diana’s Baths waterfall is a great destination for you. There is about a half-mile trail that takes you there and is a relatively easy hike. Diana’s Baths is about 75 feet high and has smaller cascading falls and slides that have created potholes and pools to cool off in on a hot day. Although this place is beautiful and fun to dip into, do be aware of the quick-moving water, so you don’t get surprised in case its current is extra strong that day. It is a pretty popular area, so note you might run into some fellow waterfall enthusiasts while you are there!

 

Arethusa Falls

This waterfall is surrounded by the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It arises from the headwaters of Bemis Brook that cascade over a cliff found in Crawford Notch State Park. It is a beautiful sight to behold as it stands as the state's 2nd tallest waterfall. It takes about a 1.5-mile uphill hike to reach this site. Dogs are allowed to hike in this area, so feel free to bring your canine pal with you on your adventure.

 

Sabbaday Falls

Sabbaday Falls is located in Waterville Valley town and is one of the more frequented waterfalls in New Hampshire. It is close enough to the road that you may take a gander of it from your car or walk about a 0.7-mile trail to arrive close to its base.

 

Crystal Cascade

Crystal Cascades waterfall separates into two segments that make about a 100-foot drop. It’s an eye -catching spot that you can access a short walk from the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. It’s about a 0.8-mile hike to reach this exciting vertical drop. It’s definitely worth the trip and an excellent place to snap a few photos!

 

Avalanche Falls

If you are looking for a beautiful two-mile hike through pristine nature in the Franconia Notch State Park, a hike to Avalanche Falls might be just the ticket! The trail is called The Flume, and it takes you past enlivening scenery, even another waterfall, as you make your way to the main event. Avalanche Falls is about 45 feet tall and located in the town of Lincoln. It's one of the most popular waterfalls in the state.

 

Franconia Falls

This waterfall is a shorter one that flows into a larger pool. It is surrounded by smooth granite and, beyond that, the beautiful New England forests. Franconia Falls has many small slides and plunges. Some pools formed by this water are great for swimming, especially one about 400 feet upstream of the main waterfall. It is a relatively longer hike, about 7 miles round trip, but it’s a fairly flat route which makes it great for all skill levels.

 

Silver Cascade

Silver Cascade flows down Mount Jackson's side and has about a 600-foot total drop with various cascades. There is a 250-foot portion of it that is visible from the highway! It is a picturesque view and easily accessible!  However, if you would like to take a closer look and a little walk to enjoy the sound of water dancing over rocks; you can always park and walk in a little ways to find a secluded area.

 

Ripley Falls

The waters from Avalanche Brook makes their way to Ripley Falls and glides over the side of a large rock face. To find this lovely spot, you’ll need to follow the Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail, roughly a mile, that begins on Ethan’s Pond Trail. It’s located in Crawford Notch State Park, where many of the other waterfalls reside!

 

Nancy Cascades

One of the most picturesque waterfalls in New Hampshire is the Nancy Cascades. It stands about 300ft which makes it one of the tallest waterfalls in New England. It, too, resides within the White Mountain National Forest. The water descends from the upper to the lower falls and through a marvelous forest. It’s roughly a 2.5-mile hike on a moderate trail, so it is an excellent way to get the blood pumping and take in some gorgeous scenery.

 

Going on hikes through nature is always an excellent activity to do, and it is made especially rewarding if there is a waterfall involved! Even if you aren't up for a hike, taking the time to experience a waterfall is something you won’t regret. There are various options of waterfalls to see in New Hampshire depending on if you want to swim, or how long you’d like to hike before you reach them, if at all. These are some of the top ten waterfalls to see!

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