10 Gorgeous White Mountain Waterfalls

Waterfalls might be the most underrated way to see fall color in the White Mountains. Granite, rushing white water, and a canopy of red and gold make some of the best foliage scenes in New England, and many of them take less than an hour to reach.

This list covers 10 waterfalls, grouped by region so you can pair them with a scenic drive or a hike. Some are steps from the car. Others take a short hike to earn.

Waterfalls are often best to visit in the late spring if you want to see the most water, but I also love fall when the colors make the the waterfalls view spectacular. These are my favorite White Mountain waterfalls!

Looking for more New Hampshire Adventures?

• 10 Easy White Mountain Fall Hikes: 5 Classics and 5 Quiet Alternatives
• 18 Best Fall Hikes in New Hampshire (From the White Mountains to the Seacoast)
• 10 Best Day Hikes from Portsmouth, NH

Before You Go: Fall Waterfall Tips

• Water flow varies: Late summer and early fall can be dry, and some falls slow to a trickle. Go a day or two after a good rain for the best flow.
• Footing: Wet rock and fallen leaves make for slippery trails, especially near the water. Wear shoes with real grip and keep kids and dogs back from the edges.
• Fees and passes: Several trailheads are in the White Mountain National Forest and need a recreation pass. The Flume Gorge requires a paid ticket. [LINK: WMNF parking pass info]
• Timing: Popular roadside falls get busy by mid-morning on peak weekends. Early morning also gives you softer light for photos.
• Photography: Overcast days are best for waterfall photos. Bright sun creates harsh contrast on white water.

Franconia Notch

1. The Flume Gorge and Avalanche Falls

Distance: about 2 miles (loop) · Difficulty: easy, with stairs and boardwalks · Fee: paid ticket

The Flume is the most famous gorge in New Hampshire. A boardwalk runs up a narrow granite chasm with walls about 70 to 90 feet high. At the top, Avalanche Falls drops through the gorge, framed by moss and fall color.

The Flume is seasonal and usually closes in late October, so check dates before you plan around it. Buy tickets in advance on peak weekends.

I love the Flume, but it is expensive to visit so plan ahead and make a day of it!

2. The Basin and Kinsman Falls

Distance: about 1.2 miles round trip to Kinsman Falls · Difficulty: easy

The Basin is a granite pothole carved by the Pemigewasset River, just a short walk from the parking area. Most visitors stop there. Keep going up the Basin-Cascades Trail, and you’ll reach Kinsman Falls, a pretty drop into a clear pool, with far fewer people.

The Basin is free and right off the Franconia Notch Parkway, so it’s an easy stop on any notch day.

Crawford Notch

3. Arethusa Falls

Distance: about 3 miles round trip · Elevation gain: about 900 feet · Difficulty: moderate

At roughly 140 feet, Arethusa is one of the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire. The hike climbs steadily through hardwood forest, which is gorgeous in October. At the end, the falls pour down a wide rock face into a boulder-filled pool.

For a longer day, add Frankenstein Cliff as a loop. It gives you a big foliage view over Crawford Notch.

4. Ripley Falls

Distance: about 1 mile round trip · Elevation gain: about 300 feet · Difficulty: easy

Ripley Falls slides about 100 feet down a steep granite slab rather than dropping straight down. It’s a short, easy walk from the trailhead off Route 302, making it a good pick for younger kids.

It’s quieter than Arethusa and easy to pair with it on the same day.

Kancamagus Highway

5. Sabbaday Falls

Distance: about 0.7 miles round trip · Difficulty: easy

Sabbaday is the easiest waterfall stop on the Kanc. A flat, wide path leads to a series of drops through a narrow flume, with a deep pothole along the way. Wooden stairs and railings let you see it from several angles.

It’s short enough to fit into any Kanc drive, and it works for every age.

6. Champney Falls

Distance: about 3 miles round trip · Elevation gain: about 650 feet · Difficulty: easy to moderate

Champney Falls is on the trail to Mount Chocorua, so it makes a natural turnaround point for a shorter hike. A side loop reaches Champney Falls and nearby Pitcher Falls, which pours out of a narrow side gorge.

Champney’s flow depends heavily on recent rain. In a dry fall, it can be a trickle, so save this one for after a wet stretch.

Mount Washington Valley and Pinkham Notch

7. Diana’s Baths, Bartlett

Distance: about 1.2 miles round trip · Difficulty: easy, nearly flat

Diana’s Baths isn’t one big drop. It’s a long series of small cascades and shallow pools spilling over wide granite ledges on Lucy Brook. In fall, the ledges are framed with color, and kids love exploring the rocks.

It’s one of the busiest spots in the valley, and the lot fills fast. Go early, or go on a weekday.

8. Glen Ellis Falls, Pinkham Notch

Distance: about 0.6 miles round trip · Difficulty: easy, with stone stairs

Glen Ellis is a powerful, single drop of about 64 feet, and it holds its flow better than many falls in a dry season. The trail starts at a lot on Route 16 and passes under the road through a tunnel before descending stone steps to the base.

The stairs are steep in places, but the walk is short.

9. Crystal Cascade, Pinkham Notch

Distance: about 0.6 miles round trip · Elevation gain: about 200 feet · Difficulty: easy

Crystal Cascade is the first stop on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, starting from the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. A short, wide climb leads to a viewing area of a tall, two-step cascade on the Cutler River.

It’s a good way to get a taste of the Mount Washington trails without committing to a big day.

10. Jackson Falls, Jackson

Distance: roadside, short walk · Difficulty: easy

Jackson Falls is a set of cascades on Wildcat Brook, right in Jackson village, along Carter Notch Road. You can walk out onto the broad ledges and take in the cascades with the foliage-covered hills behind.

Pair it with the Jackson covered bridge for a classic New England fall afternoon.

Make It a Waterfall Day

With the falls grouped by region, it’s easy to string two or three together in a single day. Try the Flume and the Basin in Franconia Notch, or Arethusa and Ripley in Crawford Notch. In the valley, you can do Glen Ellis, Crystal Cascade, and Jackson Falls in one loop.

Check recent rainfall, start early, and bring a dry layer. Mist off a big waterfall gets chilly fast on an October afternoon.

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