Ripley Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Ripley Falls is a waterfall in Carroll County, New Hampshire, about 12 miles southeast of Deerfield. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Carroll County, NH

Nearest town

Deerfield (12 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 57 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

44.16229, -71.39230

USGS topo

Crawford Notch quad

Getting there

Ripley Falls sits about 12 miles southeast of Deerfield in Carroll County. Google lists the address as Hart's Location, NH 03812.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Ripley Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Most of the state's notable falls lie within the White Mountain National Forest or state parks such as Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. Many national forest trailheads require a recreation parking pass, and state park fees apply at some sites. On autumn weekends, parking along the Kancamagus Highway and in the notches fills early. The main hazard is wet granite: smooth, algae-covered ledges near falls are extremely slippery, and slips into potholes or over drops cause injuries every year. Spring runoff makes crossings dangerous, and water stays cold well into summer. White Mountain weather can turn severe quickly at higher elevations, so even short hikes call for layers and rain gear.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Ripley Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of New Hampshire. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.16229, -71.39230 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 241 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

The best water in New Hampshire usually comes from April through early June, when snowmelt in the White Mountains combines with spring rain. Lower elevations peak first; high brooks in the notches keep running hard into June. Summer flows can drop sharply during dry spells, though thunderstorms refresh them quickly, and swimming holes become popular in July and August. Late September through mid-October brings famous foliage, especially along the Kancamagus Highway, along with heavy traffic and full trailhead lots on weekends. Winter turns many falls into ice formations and climbing objectives, but approach trails are icy and some forest roads close for the season. Black flies can be bothersome in late spring. 57 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Ripley Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 57 Google reviews, and 84% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Carroll County. Visitors have shared 241 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Ripley Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on August 27, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Crawford Notch 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Avalanche Brook (stream, 0.7 mi), Crawford Notch (valley, 0.9 mi), Kedron Brook (stream, 0.9 mi), and Webster Brook (stream, 1.1 mi).

Eastern White Mountains and the North Country. East of the main ridge, Pinkham Notch and the valleys around North Conway hold several of the state's most photographed falls. Glen Ellis Falls on the Ellis River drops cleanly into a pool below a stairway viewpoint in the White Mountain National Forest. Ripley Falls, on a short trail from Crawford Notch, slides down a long, steep granite slab. In Carroll County, Beede Falls near Sandwich is a quieter spot with a small pool and overhanging ledge. Coos County extends far north to the Canadian border, where Beaver Brook Falls near Colebrook sits right beside a state highway and other falls lie in remote spruce forest.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Ripley Falls about 12 miles southeast of Deerfield is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 57 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Ripley Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.