Top 10 Waterfalls in New Hampshire
If you want the strongest all-around New Hampshire waterfall trips, start here. These picks balance scenery, access, and the kind of payoff that makes a stop feel worth your time.
Use the list to compare stops, then open the full guide for parking, walk time, seasonal flow, and swim context where it applies. Looking for places to swim too? Browse New Hampshire swimming holes for freshwater spots with practical swim notes.
#1 Arethusa Falls — Hart's Location
Tall flagship waterfall with a true hike and strong photo payoff.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 2 hr
#2 Glen Ellis Falls — Jackson
Glen Ellis Falls is a dramatic vertical drop in Pinkham Notch with stairs to a deep plunge-pool viewpoint and high visitor…
- Swim
- Not recommended in plunge zone
- Walk
- 20 min
#3 Diana's Baths — Conway
Family-friendly cascade complex with short access and big summer demand.
- Swim
- Popular wading and shallow dipping
- Walk
- 10 min
#4 Sabbaday Falls — Albany
Short hike, big payoff waterfall right on the Kancamagus route.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 15 min
#5 Franconia Falls — Lincoln
Franconia Falls is a Lincoln adventure swim destination known for natural slides, broad river ledge, and high-engagement…
- Swim
- Popular swimming and sliding in season
- Walk
- 2 hr
#6 Flume Gorge — Lincoln
Iconic paid gorge walk with easy logistics and major visitor demand.
- Swim
- Not allowed
- Walk
- 2 hr
#7 Ripley Falls — Hart's Location
Ripley Falls is a tall, narrow drop in Crawford Notch reached by a moderate trail; surrounding ledge can stay extremely…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 1 hr
#8 Crystal Cascade — Green's Grant
Crystal Cascade is a two-tier Pinkham Notch waterfall near the Tuckerman Ravine trail corridor with strong shoulder-season…
- Swim
- Not recommended near main drop
- Walk
- 20 min
#9 Jackson Falls — Jackson
Town-adjacent multi-pool cascade with easy family-friendly access.
- Swim
- Popular wading and swimming in season
- Walk
- 5 min
#10 The Basin — Lincoln
The Basin is a carved granite gorge feature in Franconia Notch with cold, forceful water and very high visitation.
- Swim
- Swimming not recommended in main chute
- Walk
- 10 min