Tucked away in New Hampshire’s White Mountains are breathtaking waterfalls you must see to believe. From roaring cascades tumbling over stone staircases to trickling plumes pouring into shallow wading pools, these nine incredible falls are a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.
1. Arethusa Falls (Carroll County)
This stunning waterfall is in Crawford Notch State Park and lives up to its mythical moniker. Named after a Greek myth about a nymph that turned into a fountain, Arethusa Falls is New Hampshire’s tallest continuous-drop waterfall, plunging over 150 feet down a rocky slope. Hop on the trail at Route 302 (the trails are marked) and hike 900 feet to the falls. For more waterfall views, check out the intersecting Bemis Brook Trail that leads to Bemis Brook Falls and the Coliseum Falls.
2. Cloudland Falls (Lincoln)
Tucked away in Franconia Notch State Park, Cloudland Falls flows 80 feet down an incline of terraced stones before collecting in a small pool at its base. One of three waterfalls you’ll find on the aptly-named Falling Waters Trail, it’s roughly a 2.8-mile round trip to and from the falls; however, you won’t need to hike the trail’s total length to see the falls from a distance. Along the way, you’ll pass by Stair Falls and Swiftwater Falls. Continue along the path to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain for incredible panoramic views of the park.
3. Purgatory Falls (Mont Vernon)
Three incredible waterfalls await on the Purgatory Falls Loop near Mont Vernon. First up is the lower Purgatory Falls, a popular site where the wide cascades plunge across angular rock slabs from a serene pond above. About an hour north of the lower falls are the middle and upper Purgatory Falls, with the latter being a gorgeous cascade that flows over a mound of moss-covered rocks.
4. Rainbow Falls (Plymouth)
Considered one of the main highlights of the Walton-Newton Natural Area in Plymouth, Rainbow Falls is best experienced in the spring when the rainy season increases the water flow. Cascading over a rocky jut-out in the middle of a river, the falls create a rainbow-like shape at the base of the 25-foot drop. Access to Rainbow Falls is via the Walter Trail, a beginner-friendly hike at only 1.6 miles.
5. Ripley Falls (Bartlett)
Tumbling down a 100-foot natural rock waterslide, Ripley Falls is a dramatic sight near Hart’s Location in the Crawford Notch State Park. Considered one of the steepest waterfalls in New England at 60 degrees, the falls are accessible via the Ethan Pond Trailhead. While the terrain can sometimes be challenging due to the rocks and mud, the views make up for it with scenic railroads, rocky staircases and a babbling brook. In the winter, the cascades freeze into spectacular ice formations.
6. Kinsman Falls (Franconia)
Kinsman Falls is an understated beauty on the Cascade Brook, gushing through a narrow groove of rock before plummeting in a small pillar into a serene pool below (during slower currents, it’s perfect for a dip). One of many waterfalls in the Franconia Notch State Park, this smaller waterfall is just a half-mile hike along the Basin Cascade Trail. On your way to the falls, you’ll pass by smaller falls in the brook, witness gorgeous views of the White Mountains, and you may see a chipmunk or two.
7. Georgiana Falls (Lincoln)
Sliding beautifully down a pair of rocky staircases, Georgiana Falls fans out into three distinct falls before dropping thirty feet into an obsidian-colored pool brimming with bubbles and foam. A popular spot near the town of Lincoln, park in the lot near Georgiana Falls Road and follow the path along an old road, eventually coming to a brook. The hike is perfect for beginners and only 1.6 miles out and back, with views of a dry stream, rocky boulders and the mountains.
8. Bridal Veil Falls (Sugar Hill)
Located off the Coppermine Trail near Route 116 outside of Sugar Hill, Bridal Veil Falls is a unique cascade that begins with an 80-foot drop that eventually eases into a gentle flow over an expansive granite incline. Hiking to the falls can be moderately challenging due to roots and rocks, but the trail is well-worn, and signs mark the way to the falls. When you arrive at the rustic footbridge that extends over the brook, you’re close to the falls.
9. Sabbaday Falls
One of the most famous waterfalls in New Hampshire, the Sabbaday Falls, is located on the scenic Kancamagus Highway. Rushing over two rocky ledges, these falls plunge 45 feet into a shallow pool – no swimming allowed. The fall is the perfect time to visit when the White Mountains explode in an array of autumn colors, adding to the allure of the cascades. A gravel trail makes the falls accessible for persons with disabilities, and a wooden staircase leads to a viewing platform for a closer look at the roaring waters.
