Waterfall Tour in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley
Spring is the perfect season for a waterfall tour in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley. With a dozen accessible waterfalls, this picturesque region is one of New England’s best places for a road trip to view and photograph dramatic cascades. In April and May, as snow melts and spring water levels rise, these waterfalls are at their most spectacular.
Moreover, seeing the falls is free, with just one caveat. A $5 day pass is required for stops within the White Mountain National Forest. Passes may be purchased at self-serve fee stations or ranger stations throughout the Mount Washington Valley.
Here, with help from the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau, is a guide to the waterfalls within this popular New Hampshire region. Use these directions and descriptions to plan your own self-guided drive to one or all of these scenic falls.
01. Sabbaday Falls
Sabbaday Falls lies just a short hike off New Hampshire’s famed Kancamagus Highway. This waterfall features three drops, pretty pools, and a pothole formed by swirling waters and sand. Although swimming is not allowed, this is an ideal spot for picnics on warm days.
Directions: Take the Kancamagus Highway from Conway. The Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road joins the Kancamagus. The falls are a short, 0.33-mile hike in.
02. Glen Ellis Falls
The Ellis River plummets 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of white water at this scenic spot. Nearby signs describe this area’s geology and history.
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 is an easy, 0.2-mile walk to the falls.
03. Crystal Cascade
This is a spectacular, two-tiered waterfall with a dramatic, 60-foot wall of water, followed by a 20-foot plunge, ending with the river making a 90-degree turn.
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, uphill walk. For the adventurous, keep going up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and watch the spectacle of skiers in Tuckerman Ravine on a sunny day in May.
04. Thompson Falls
You will encounter a series of falls along Thompson Brook at Wildcat Ski Area. The views of Mount 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 an easy, 0.7-mile trek to the falls.
05. Arethusa Falls
Measuring about 176 feet, this is one of the highest single waterfalls in New Hampshire. As a bonus, you can also view Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool, and Coliseum Falls while you’re there.
Directions: Take Route 302 toward Bretton Woods and look for the entrance to Crawford Notch State Park. 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 tracks, and it’s about 1.3 miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook Falls, Coliseum Falls, and Fawn Pool).
06. Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade
These two waterfalls with cool names are viewable from the car, but you can get close for a better look if you’d like.
Directions: You’ll find these waterfalls on Route 302, just below Crawford Notch Depot.
07. Ripley Falls and Kedron Flume
Enjoy an easy hike to the top of these waterfalls, where you’ll discover swimming holes and pools upstream where you can take a cool splash when the weather is warm. However, it is not safe to climb the face of the falls, and you swim at your own risk.
Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is located off Route 302 in Crawford Notch at the old Wiley House station.
08. Jackson Falls
Local folks head to Jackson Falls on hot summer days. Easily accessible, you’ll find wonderful pools and small, cooling falls under which to drench yourself. A few picnic tables nearby offer the perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail to toast a successful waterfall hunt.
Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 of a mile from Route 16A in Jackson.
09. Diana’s Bath
On a full moon night, this is one of the most romantic places on Earth. The water supply for the area is located above this waterfall, so no access is allowed above. However, the collection of small falls and pools offers the perfect place to relax and cool off. You’ll need to hike about a half-mile, following a well-marked trail, to find this special place.
Directions: Access the trailhead from West Side Road, about a half-mile beyond the point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.
