There’s never a wrong time to start planning what to do to enjoy the few months of warm weather we get here in New England. Whether in summer or winter, it’s always time to think about road trips and waterfalls in New Hampshire. Hikes are great and the beaches are fun, but why not do something unique and take yourself on this epic waterfall road trip in New Hampshire? While not all of these waterfalls will tower above you, each is big on beauty!

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1. Kinsman Falls, Franconia Notch State Park
Kinsman Falls, Basin Cascade Trail, Franconia, NH 03580, USA
Atul Nautiyal / Google
There are so many waterfalls within this popular state park that you might not want to focus on just one. In fact, this alone would make a lovely day trip. But one of our favorites is Kinsman. Cascading into a beautiful natural pool, this is lovely to see as a first stop! For more info about the Kinsman falls and the other waterfalls head over to this link the New Hampshire State Park website. Also check out this video by colong7034 to see Kinsman Falls, The Basin, and several other falls along the way:
2. Beecher and Pearl Cascades, Carroll
Carroll, NH, USA
J Hoyt / alltrails.com
These falls cascade through rocks surrounded by forest. This is a great place to visit when you feel like some peace and quiet (if you don't include the sound of the water)! You can make your way to the trail to see the 25-foot falls right behind the Crawford Depot, an old train station next to the Appalachian Mountain Club.
3. Ammonoosuc Ravine, Sargent’s Purchase
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Base Station Rd, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
Andreas Bernhard / Google
You can drive to the trailhead of this beauty, but to actually reach the falls you'll be hiking just under 2.5 miles. But, before you remove this one from your route, remember that the 100-foot falls are oh-so beautiful!
4. Arethusa Falls Hart’s Location
Arethusa Falls Trail, Hart's Location, NH 03812, USA
boblinsdell / Flickr
While the debate about which waterfall in New Hampshire is actually the tallest rages on, we present you with Arethusa. Widely considered to be the tallest, this beauty is a single-drop waterfall that will cause you to stick around for a while just to gawk. This waterfall is beautiful and stunning any time of the year but seeing it in the winter is especially spectacular, Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see this mammoth waterfall in action:

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5. Jackson Falls, Jackson
Jackson Falls, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
dtpancio / Flickr
You caught us. These waterfalls are not especially tall, but they are especially lovely so we had to include them. This is also a great inclusion for folks who don't love the hiking part of this trip. You'll find Jackson Falls almost at the side of the road!
6. Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson
Glen Ellis Falls, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
jariceiii / Flickr
Next on your tour of beautiful waterfalls is this gem! Another one that will give you a nice break from walking or hiking, you can pull into the parking lot and reach the 65-foot waterfall via a 10-minute stroll from the road. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to get a good look at the trail and the waterfall before you go:
7. Diana’s Baths, Bartlett
Dianas Baths, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
allan_harris / Flickr
Another one that's not going to tower above your head, we love Diana's Baths for its sheer beauty. And, how could you possibly go on a road trip to see New Hampshire waterfalls without including it? The series of small waterfalls fill a number of beautiful pools making the area even more stunning. Diana's Baths are beautiful any time of the year but check out this video in the spring when things were still frozen:
8. Lower Falls, Albany
Lower Falls, Albany, NH, USA
rcweir / Flickr
And now we hit The Kanc! The Swift River is one of the most popular stopping points along the Kancamagus Highway. The many waterfalls you'll find are breathtaking, including this beauty. And, this portion of the trip is on the state's most incredible roadway. Check out the Lower Falls for further info.
9. Sabbaday Falls, Waterville Valley
Sabbaday Falls, Waterville Valley, NH 03259, USA
lifeisadventure / Flickr
And, closing out the most beautiful road trip in New Hampshire is this perennial favorite. This three-tiered waterfall features a height of about 40 feet with the tallest drop being 20 feet. And we love that viewing it is totally accessible. Come on your legs, come on wheels, come on your hands. However you choose to make your way, you'll end your trip with one special sight.

There may not be a more beautiful road trip than this waterfall one in all of NH. Let us know if there are some other road trips in New Hampshire that you think are just as good! We look forward to hearing from you.

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waterfall road trip in New Hampshire

Luke | January 21, 2021

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The best road trips in New Hampshire are:

 

You cannot go wrong with hopping in the car and taking it through the pristine and scenic state of New Hampshire. There are so many lovely little towns and endless state parks and forests to visit, but here's our shortened list of the best road trips in New Hampshire: 1) The Kancamagus Scenic Byway; 2) Auto Road up to Mt. Washington; 3) New Hampshire 153.

What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire? 

The most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire are:

 

With large areas of expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short and sweet hikes or long but rewarding treks, you'll find something that fits your fancy in NH. Here's our list of the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire: 1) Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop; 2) Mount Willard Trail; 3) The Flume Gorge Trail; 4) Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop; 5) Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more! Happy Hiking! 

What are the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire?

Here are some of the best outdoor adventures in New Hampshire:

 

New Hampshire is one of the best states in America for outdoor activities and adventures. You could hike a mountain, explore the wilderness on a mountain bike, canoe down the Connecticut River, and do countless other things. Here’s our list of the best outdoor adventures in NH: 1) Take in Beaver Brook Falls; 2) Hike to the top of Mount Washington; 3) Road trip along the Kancamagus Highway; 4) Check out the lower falls in Albany; 5) Go for a whale watch on the NH coastline. It’s time for an adventure!

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