Waterfalls and Swimming Holes From Lincoln & Woodstock
Lincoln and Woodstock are strong starting points when you want a mix of waterfalls and easy swim stops without building a long White Mountains itinerary. This page keeps the clearest options in one place.
Some stops are simple to reach, while others need a short walk or a careful look at the water before you go in. Use the map first, then open each guide for access, footing, and seasonal notes.
#1 Lower Falls — Albany
Flagship Kancamagus swim stop with easy access and heavy summer use.
- Swim
- Popular swimming and wading in season
- Walk
- 5 min
#2 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
#3 Echo Lake Beach — Franconia Notch
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
#4 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
#5 Paradise Falls — Woodstock
Paradise Falls is a narrow Lost River gorge waterfall with dramatic stone walls and a short-access notch setting.
- Swim
- Not recommended in the gorge channel
- Walk
- 20 min
#6 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