Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near Franconia & Lincoln
Franconia Notch and Lincoln pack short river walks, paid gorge access, and cold-water swim pockets into a tight north–south band.
Use this page when you are staying near Lincoln, heading through Franconia Notch, or building a west-side White Mountains day. It overlaps less with North Conway and keeps the focus on the Pemigewasset side of the range.
#1 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
#2 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
#3 Flume Gorge — Lincoln
Iconic paid gorge walk with easy logistics and major visitor demand.
- Swim
- Not allowed
- Walk
- 2 hr
#4 Georgiana Falls — Lincoln
Georgiana Falls is a steep multi-tier waterfall above Lincoln with a popular but rugged approach and strong post-rain flow.
- Swim
- Wading only in calmer pockets
- Walk
- 1 hr 30 min
#5 Profile Falls — Hill
Profile Falls is a family-friendly waterfall and pool area in Hill with low-effort access and strong summer demand.
- Swim
- Popular swimming at lower flow
- Walk
- 15 min
#6 Beaver Brook Cascades — Benton
Beaver Brook Cascades is a Western White Mountains waterfall page using the mapped cascades coordinate and a nearby…
- Swim
- Not recommended near the falls
- Walk
- 10 min
#7 Lady's Bathtub — Lincoln
Lady's Bathtub is a small White Mountains plunge pool and brook stop with cold clear water, polished rock, and strong…
- Swim
- Possible plunge-pool swimming in season with caution
- Walk
- 10 min
#8 Otter Rocks — Lincoln
Otter Rocks is a Swift River corridor stop with polished ledges, cold pockets, and a classic Kancamagus roadside-stop feel.
- Swim
- Possible in calmer pockets with caution
- Walk
- 5 min
#9 Echo Lake Beach (Franconia Notch) — Franconia
Freshwater state-park beach on Echo Lake with a limited-parking official access page and a conservative beach pin.
- Swim
- Freshwater swimming
- Walk
- 5 min
#10 Thirteen Falls — Lincoln
Thirteen Falls is a remote wilderness cascade complex with multiple channels and pools reached by a full-day backcountry…
- Swim
- Possible in calm pockets for experienced groups
- Walk
- 5 hr