State guide

Waterfalls in New Hampshire

51 waterfalls across 10 counties, ranked 15th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset, Eastern White Mountains and the North Country, and Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best WaterfallsMost Beautiful WaterfallsMust-See WaterfallsBest Waterfall Hikes

Photo of Sabbaday Falls in Grafton County, New Hampshire
Pictured: Sabbaday Falls, NH

Towns

Why New Hampshire Has So Many Waterfalls

New Hampshire's waterfalls are largely a gift of the White Mountains and the continental ice sheet that ground across them. Glaciers deepened the major valleys into broad notches such as Crawford, Franconia and Pinkham, leaving tributary brooks perched on the valley sides. Those brooks now tumble down over granite and related crystalline rocks, often through narrow flumes, potholes and joints where the rock splits cleanly. Abundant precipitation, deep winter snow and thin soils over bedrock keep these streams lively for much of the year. Most of the falls are modest in height but are often set in clear pools and polished potholes.

Our directory lists 51 named falls in New Hampshire, 15th nationally, and the pattern is strongly northern. Grafton, Coos and Carroll counties, which together contain most of the White Mountain National Forest, hold 38 of them. Grafton County leads with 19, thanks to the Kancamagus Highway corridor, Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch and the Pemigewasset River valley. Coos County covers Pinkham Notch and the North Country around Gorham and Colebrook. Southern New Hampshire, with lower hills and more developed river valleys, contributes a scattering of smaller falls, several on historic mill streams.

New Hampshire Waterfall Regions

Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset

19 waterfalls · Grafton County

Grafton County is the state's waterfall center. Sabbaday Falls, a short, gentle walk off the Kancamagus Highway, drops through a narrow flume in a series of chutes and pools. Arethusa Falls, described as the state's second tallest, is reached by an uphill trail in Crawford Notch. Franconia Falls lies deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, while Georgiana Falls is found near Lincoln. Farther south, the Pemigewasset River pours through a rocky gorge at Livermore Falls, and Profile Falls near Bristol is a popular local stop. Smooth granite ledges, clear pools and dense hardwood forests define the scenery throughout this region.

Start with: Sabbaday Falls, Arethusa Falls, Franconia Falls, Livermore Falls, Georgiana Falls

Eastern White Mountains and the North Country

19 waterfalls · Coos County and Carroll County

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.

Start with: Glen Ellis Falls, Ripley Falls, Beede Falls, Beaver Brook Falls, Upper Falls

Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley

13 waterfalls · Cheshire County, Hillsborough County, Merrimack County, Rockingham County, Strafford County, Sullivan County, and Downtown County

Southern New Hampshire's falls are modest in height but rich in history. Rivers here powered textile mills and sawmills in the 1800s, and several named falls sit in or near town centers where dams and mill ruins remain. Wildcat Falls, in a conservation area in Hillsborough County, tumbles over a jumble of boulders through mixed forest. Cheshire and Sullivan counties along the Connecticut River valley hold small cascades in rolling hill country near Alstead, while Merrimack County's falls near Concord and Epsom lie on streams draining toward the Merrimack River. Flows here depend more on recent rain than on mountain snowmelt.

Start with: Wildcat Falls, Beaver Brook Falls, Purgatory Falls, Sewalls Falls, Hampton Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in New Hampshire

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Sabbaday Falls

    Tamworth, NH · Grafton County
    4.8 (420 reviews)

    Gentle, paved trail to a sequence of narrow waterfalls in a forest renowned for its fall foliage.

    Rating
    4.8 (420 Google reviews)
    Address
    Waterville Valley, NH 03259
    Nearest town
    Tamworth, NH (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Tripyramid quad
    View details Directions

  2. Glen Ellis Falls

    Gorham, NH · Coos County
    4.9 (240 reviews)

    Serene, 64-foot high waterfall on the Ellis River in White Mountain National Forest.

    Rating
    4.9 (240 Google reviews)
    Address
    Jackson, NH 03846
    Nearest town
    Gorham, NH (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Stairs Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  3. Arethusa Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Grafton County
    4.8 (175 reviews)

    The state's 2nd tallest, this picturesque waterfall is reached by a 1.5-mile, uphill hiking trail.

    Rating
    4.8 (175 Google reviews)
    Address
    Livermore, NH 03812
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Crawford Notch quad
    View details Directions

  4. Ripley Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Carroll County
    4.8 (57 reviews)

    Ripley Falls is a waterfall in Carroll County, New Hampshire, about 12 miles southeast of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS Crawford Notch topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (57 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hart's Location, NH 03812
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Crawford Notch quad
    View details Directions

  5. Franconia Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Grafton County
    4.6 (65 reviews)

    Franconia Falls is a waterfall in Grafton County, New Hampshire, about 8.8 miles south of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS Mount Osceola topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (65 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lincoln, NH 03251
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (8.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Osceola quad
    View details Directions

  6. Beaver Brook Falls

    Colebrook, NH · Coos County
    4.9 (46 reviews)

    Beaver Brook Falls is a waterfall in Coos County, New Hampshire, about 2.3 miles northeast of Colebrook. It appears on the USGS Lovering Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (46 Google reviews)
    Address
    Colebrook, NH 03576
    Nearest town
    Colebrook, NH (2.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Lovering Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  7. Beede Falls

    Sandwich, NH · Carroll County
    4.7 (51 reviews)

    Beede Falls is a waterfall in Carroll County, New Hampshire, about 4.9 miles northwest of Sandwich. It appears on the USGS Center Sandwich topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (51 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sandwich, NH 03227
    Nearest town
    Sandwich, NH (4.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    Center Sandwich quad
    View details Directions

  8. Wildcat Falls

    Merrimack, NH · Hillsborough County
    4.4 (44 reviews)

    This rocky, picturesque waterfall in Wildcat Falls Conservation Area is surrounded by trees.

    Rating
    4.4 (44 Google reviews)
    Address
    Merrimack, NH 03054
    Nearest town
    Merrimack, NH (0.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    South Merrimack quad
    View details Directions

  9. Livermore Falls

    Plymouth, NH · Grafton County
    4.7 (38 reviews)

    Waterfall along the Pemigewasset River with swimming, kayaking & a state forest with hiking.

    Rating
    4.7 (38 Google reviews)
    Address
    Campton, NH 03223
    Nearest town
    Plymouth, NH (2.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Plymouth quad
    View details Directions

  10. Georgiana Falls

    Woodstock, NH · Grafton County
    4.7 (31 reviews)

    Georgiana Falls is a waterfall in Grafton County, New Hampshire, about 6.9 miles north of Woodstock. It appears on the USGS Lincoln topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (31 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lincoln, NH 03580
    Nearest town
    Woodstock, NH (6.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    Lincoln quad
    View details Directions

  11. Bridalveil Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Grafton County
    4.8 (21 reviews)

    Bridalveil Falls is a waterfall in Grafton County, New Hampshire, about 7.2 miles southwest of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS Franconia topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (21 Google reviews)
    Address
    Franconia, NH 03580
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (7.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Franconia quad
    View details Directions

  12. Profile Falls

    Bristol, NH · Grafton County
    4.5 (28 reviews)

    Well-known waterfall & fishing destination with picnic areas & hiking & mountain biking trails.

    Rating
    4.5 (28 Google reviews)
    Address
    Bristol, NH 03243
    Nearest town
    Bristol, NH (1.6 mi)
    View details Directions

  13. Welton Falls

    Alexandria, NH · Grafton County
    4.8 (22 reviews)

    Welton Falls is a waterfall in Grafton County, New Hampshire, about 4.0 miles northwest of Alexandria. It appears on the USGS Newfound Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (22 Google reviews)
    Address
    Alexandria, NH 03222
    Known for
    rocks, no bridge, water crossing, river, trail
    Nearest town
    Alexandria, NH (4.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Newfound Lake quad
    View details Directions

  14. Beaver Brook Falls

    Keene, NH · Cheshire County
    4.5 (26 reviews)

    Forest preserve featuring a waterfall & a walking path in picturesque surrounds.

    Rating
    4.5 (26 Google reviews)
    Address
    Keene, NH 03431
    Known for
    walk to falls, easy walk, hike, trail, area
    Nearest town
    Keene, NH (2.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Keene quad
    View details Directions

  15. Purgatory Falls

    Mont Vernon, NH · Hillsborough County
    4.5 (26 reviews)

    A hiking trail leads to this scenic waterfall with several cascades amid a tranquil forest.

    Rating
    4.5 (26 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lyndeborough, NH 03057
    Nearest town
    Mont Vernon, NH (1.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    New Boston quad
    View details Directions

  16. Upper Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Coos County
    4.4 (27 reviews)

    Upper Falls is a waterfall in Coos County, New Hampshire, about 9.8 miles east of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS Mount Dartmouth topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (27 Google reviews)
    Address
    Crawfords Purchase, NH 03583
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (9.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Dartmouth quad
    View details Directions

  17. Sewalls Falls

    East Concord, NH · Merrimack County
    4.2 (25 reviews)

    Sewalls Falls is a waterfall in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, about 1.5 miles northwest of East Concord. It appears on the USGS Penacook topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (25 Google reviews)
    Address
    Concord, NH 03301
    Nearest town
    East Concord, NH (1.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Penacook quad
    View details Directions

  18. Lower Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Coos County
    4.5 (18 reviews)

    Lower Falls is a waterfall in Coos County, New Hampshire, about 7.0 miles east of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS Mount Dartmouth topographic map.

    Rating
    4.5 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Carroll, NH 03583
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (7.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Dartmouth quad
    View details Directions

  19. Thompson Falls

    North Conway, NH · Carroll County
    4.6 (14 reviews)

    Thompson Falls is a waterfall in Carroll County, New Hampshire, about 2.7 miles west of North Conway. It appears on the USGS North Conway West topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (14 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hales Location, NH 03812
    Nearest town
    North Conway, NH (2.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    North Conway West quad
    View details Directions

  20. Garfield Falls

    Colebrook, NH · Coos County
    4.7 (11 reviews)

    Garfield Falls is a waterfall in Coos County, New Hampshire, about 21 miles northeast of Colebrook. It appears on the USGS Bosebuck Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (11 Google reviews)
    Address
    Pittsburg, NH 03592
    Nearest town
    Colebrook, NH (21 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bosebuck Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  21. Thirteen Falls

    Deerfield, NH · Grafton County
    4.4 (9 reviews)

    Thirteen Falls is a waterfall in Grafton County, New Hampshire, about 4.7 miles south of Deerfield. It appears on the USGS South Twin Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Franconia, NH 03251
    Nearest town
    Deerfield, NH (4.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    South Twin Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  22. Triple Falls

    Gorham, NH · Coos County
    4.3 (10 reviews)

    Triple Falls is a waterfall in Coos County, New Hampshire, about 4.1 miles southwest of Gorham. It appears on the USGS Carter Dome topographic map.

    Rating
    4.3 (10 Google reviews)
    Address
    Gorham, NH 03581
    Nearest town
    Gorham, NH (4.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Carter Dome quad
    View details Directions

  23. Sumner Falls

    Lebanon, NH · Sullivan County
    4.6 (8 reviews)

    Sumner Falls is a waterfall in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, about 8.4 miles southwest of Lebanon. It appears on the USGS Hartland topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (8 Google reviews)
    Address
    Plainfield, NH 03781
    Nearest town
    Lebanon, NH (8.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Hartland quad
    View details Directions

  24. Hampton Falls

    Hampton Falls, NH · Rockingham County
    3.7 (13 reviews)

    Hampton Falls is a waterfall in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, about 0.5 miles southwest of Hampton Falls. It appears on the USGS Hampton topographic map.

    Rating
    3.7 (13 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hampton Falls, NH 03844
    Nearest town
    Hampton Falls, NH (0.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Hampton quad
    View details Directions

  25. Packers Falls

    Newmarket, NH · Strafford County
    4.2 (5 reviews)

    Packers Falls is a waterfall in Strafford County, New Hampshire, about 1.7 miles northwest of Newmarket. It appears on the USGS Newmarket topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Durham, NH 03824
    Nearest town
    Newmarket, NH (1.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Newmarket quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in New Hampshire

  1. Glen Ellis Falls 4.9 from 240 reviews · Gorham
  2. Beaver Brook Falls 4.9 from 46 reviews · Colebrook
  3. Sabbaday Falls 4.8 from 420 reviews · Tamworth
  4. Arethusa Falls 4.8 from 175 reviews · Deerfield
  5. Ripley Falls 4.8 from 57 reviews · Deerfield

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 1 New Hampshire waterfall mention easy access, including Beaver Brook Falls.

New Hampshire Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in New Hampshire are about 162 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Beaver Brook Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

13 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Sabbaday Falls (also Church Falls) and Glen Ellis Falls (also Pitcher Falls).

From the USGS record for Great Falls: "Kitchee Pontegu is an Abenaki name for the falls and reportedly means “great falls.”"

Best Time to See Waterfalls in New Hampshire

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in New Hampshire

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a New Hampshire Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Grafton1937%Sabbaday Falls
Coos1325%Glen Ellis Falls
Carroll612%Ripley Falls
Cheshire36%Beaver Brook Falls
Hillsborough36%Wildcat Falls
Merrimack36%Sewalls Falls
Downtown12%Amoskeag Falls
Rockingham12%Hampton Falls
Strafford12%Packers Falls
Sullivan12%Sumner Falls

All New Hampshire Waterfalls A to Z

New Hampshire Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in New Hampshire?

Our directory lists 51 waterfalls in New Hampshire (49 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 2 added from Google Maps listings), 15th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 1.9% of the national total. 75% of them are in just three counties: Grafton, Coos, and Carroll.

What is the most visited waterfall in New Hampshire?

By Google review count, Sabbaday Falls in Grafton County leads with 420 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Glen Ellis Falls is next.

What is the easiest White Mountains waterfall to visit?

Sabbaday Falls off the Kancamagus Highway is reached by a short, gentle path, and Glen Ellis Falls in Pinkham Notch is a short walk from the road with stairs to the viewpoint. Beaver Brook Falls near Colebrook is visible from roadside parking.

Why are New Hampshire's waterfalls concentrated in the north?

The White Mountains in Grafton, Coos and Carroll counties combine steep, glacier-carved notches, hard granite bedrock and heavy precipitation. The lower, rolling terrain of southern New Hampshire produces fewer and smaller falls.

Which New Hampshire town has the most waterfalls nearby?

North Conway has 33 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our New Hampshire directory.