Waterfalls in the Great North Woods
Coos County north of the busy notches: Dixville to Pittsburg, with long river-lake shorelines and short walks to real falls.
This page is for people already heading deep into northern New Hampshire, where the stops are farther apart but quieter and more remote than anything near the notches. Most rows are waterfalls, with two posted lake swim areas mixed in for summer trips.
Rank 1: Dixville Flume — Dixville
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A short gorge-and-cascade on Flume Brook in Dixville Notch State Park on NH 26.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 2: Garfield Falls — Pittsburg
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A remote ~40-ft plunge on the East Branch of the Dead Diamond River in Pittsburg in the Great North Woods.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 20-30 min one way
Rank 3: Beaver Brook Falls — Colebrook
Viewing only, not a swim stop
An 80-ft roadside waterfall at a 7-acre NH state wayside on Route 145 north of Colebrook.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 4: First Connecticut Lake Falls — Pittsburg
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A remote waterfall near First Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg in the Great North Woods.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 5: Little Garfield Falls — Pittsburg
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A smaller waterfall near Garfield Falls in Pittsburg on the East Branch Dead Diamond River.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 6: Roaring Brook Falls — Pittsburg
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A lesser-known Great North Woods waterfall on Roaring Brook in Pittsburg.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5-10 min one way
Rank 7: Umbagog Lake State Park Swim Area — Errol
The remote Umbagog Lake State Park beach in Errol - big, cold lake in the Great North Woods.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 5-10 min one way
Rank 8: Lake Francis State Park Swim Beach — Pittsburg
The day-use swim beach inside Lake Francis State Park in Pittsburg on Lake Francis.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 5-10 min one way
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Follow the reading order, compare nearby options, or jump to a guide that matches the kind of day you want.
More guides in New Hampshire
- Waterfalls And Swimming Holes Near Dartmouth Western Nh
- Best Swimming Holes From North Conway
- Waterfalls Swimming Holes Along The Kancamagus Highway
- Waterfalls Swimming Holes From Lincoln And Woodstock
- Waterfalls Swimming Holes From Crawford Notch And Bretton Woods
- Best Freshwater Swimming From Lake Winnipesaukee
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