Best Waterfall Hikes in New Hampshire
These New Hampshire waterfall hikes combine scenic payoff with real trail time, from shorter woods walks to longer hike-in falls.
Use this page to compare options, then open each guide for trail notes, footing, parking, and seasonal flow. Use it to narrow the field first, then decide based on the details in each guide.
#1 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
#2 Arethusa Falls — Hart's Location
Tall flagship waterfall with a true hike and strong photo payoff.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 2 hr
#3 Sabbaday Falls — Albany
Short hike, big payoff waterfall right on the Kancamagus route.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 15 min
#4 Nancy Cascades — Hart's Location
Nancy Cascades is a steep, multi-tier White Mountains waterfall reached by a longer hike with significant elevation gain.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 3 hr
#5 Zealand Falls — Bethlehem
Zealand Falls is a classic White Mountains waterfall near Zealand Hut with a steady grade, broad slide rock, and a strong…
- Swim
- Not recommended in the main current
- Walk
- 2 hr
#6 Rainbow Falls (Plymouth) — Plymouth
Rainbow Falls is a Plymouth-area cascade on the Newton Trail corridor with a shaded approach and a compact rocky drop.
- Swim
- Not recommended in the main drop
- Walk
- 45 min
#7 Falls on the Smarts Brook Trail — Thornton
Falls on the Smarts Brook Trail is a Smarts Brook corridor waterfall page using the public trailhead and a separate upstream…
- Swim
- Not recommended near the falls
- Walk
- 20 min
#8 Falls on the Falling Waters Trail — Franconia Notch
Falls on the Falling Waters Trail is a Franconia Notch trail-feature waterfall page using a launch-grade corridor…
- Swim
- Not recommended near the falls
- Walk
- 20 min
#9 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
#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