Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near North Conway & the White Mountains
This list is built for a North Conway or Mount Washington Valley base, pulling together Kancamagus river stops, Pinkham Notch falls, and Crawford Notch classics on one map.
It is the strongest regional page in New Hampshire when you want the biggest concentration of famous waterfall stops with a few real swimming holes mixed in. Use the map to group your day, then open each guide for parking, walk time, and current water conditions.
#1 Diana's Baths — Conway
Family-friendly cascade complex with short access and big summer demand.
- Swim
- Popular wading and shallow dipping
- Walk
- 10 min
#2 Lower Falls (Swift River) — Albany
Flagship Kancamagus swim stop with easy access and heavy summer use.
- Swim
- Popular swimming and wading in season
- Walk
- 5 min
#3 Sabbaday Falls — Albany
Short hike, big payoff waterfall right on the Kancamagus route.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 15 min
#4 Rocky Gorge Scenic Area — Albany
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area is a highly visible Kancamagus stop with moving water, polished stone, and heavy sightseeing demand.
- Swim
- Wading only and flow-dependent; use extra caution
- Walk
- 10 min
#5 Emerald Pool — Chatham
Short-trail emerald pool with strong visual branding and jump cautions.
- Swim
- Popular swimming and jumping with caution
- Walk
- 10 min
#6 Jackson Falls — Jackson
Town-adjacent multi-pool cascade with easy family-friendly access.
- Swim
- Popular wading and swimming in season
- Walk
- 5 min
#7 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
#8 Silver Cascade — Hart's Location
Roadside twin-cascade stop with almost instant scenic payoff.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5 min
#9 Flume Gorge — Lincoln
Iconic paid gorge walk with easy logistics and major visitor demand.
- Swim
- Not allowed
- Walk
- 2 hr
#10 Arethusa Falls — Hart's Location
Tall flagship waterfall with a true hike and strong photo payoff.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 2 hr
#11 Champney Falls — Albany
Champney Falls is a popular Chocorua-side waterfall reached on a steady forest climb with multiple cascade viewpoints.
- Swim
- Limited shallow pockets only
- Walk
- 2 hr
#12 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