7 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in New Hampshire (2026 Updated)
These 7 New Hampshire waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Sabbaday Falls, Arethusa Falls, and Welton Falls. The list spans the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset and Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley.
How We Picked
We started with the 7 publicly accessible New Hampshire waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Sabbaday Falls
Tamworth, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why hike it
On the trail: "Gentle, paved trail to a sequence of narrow waterfalls in a forest renowned for its fall foliage." It is rated 4.8 stars by 420 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Norway Rapids), so there is more to explore nearby. Sugar Hill, a summit 0.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Tamworth, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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2. Arethusa Falls
Deerfield, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why hike it
On the trail: "The state's 2nd tallest, this picturesque waterfall is reached by a 1.5-mile, uphill hiking trail." It is rated 4.8 stars by 175 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Ripley Falls and Nancy Cascades), so there is more to explore nearby. Mount Bemis, a summit 1.5 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Deerfield, about 13 miles to the northwest.
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3. Welton Falls
Alexandria, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why hike it
It is rated 4.8 stars by 22 Google reviewers. Bailey Hill, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Alexandria, about 4.0 miles to the southeast.
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4. Livermore Falls
Plymouth, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why hike it
On the trail: "Waterfall along the Pemigewasset River with swimming, kayaking & a state forest with hiking." It is rated 4.7 stars by 38 Google reviewers. Mount Pero, a summit 1.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Plymouth, about 2.2 miles to the southwest.
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5. Beaver Brook Falls
Keene, NH · Cheshire County · Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley
Why hike it
On the trail: "Forest preserve featuring a waterfall & a walking path in picturesque surrounds." Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy walk", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.5 stars by 26 Google reviewers. It is one of 13 named falls in the Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley region. The nearest town is Keene, about 2.1 miles to the southwest.
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6. Purgatory Falls
Mont Vernon, NH · Hillsborough County · Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley
Why hike it
On the trail: "A hiking trail leads to this scenic waterfall with several cascades amid a tranquil forest." It is rated 4.5 stars by 26 Google reviewers. Purgatory Hill, a summit 0.5 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 13 named falls in the Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley region. The nearest town is Mont Vernon, about 1.8 miles to the east.
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7. Profile Falls
Bristol, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why hike it
On the trail: "Well-known waterfall & fishing destination with picnic areas & hiking & mountain biking trails." It is rated 4.5 stars by 28 Google reviewers. It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Bristol, about 1.6 miles to the north.
When to Visit New Hampshire's Waterfalls
The best water in New Hampshire usually comes from April through early June, when snowmelt in the White Mountains combines with spring rain. Lower elevations peak first; high brooks in the notches keep running hard into June. Summer flows can drop sharply during dry spells, though thunderstorms refresh them quickly, and swimming holes become popular in July and August. Late September through mid-October brings famous foliage, especially along the Kancamagus Highway, along with heavy traffic and full trailhead lots on weekends. Winter turns many falls into ice formations and climbing objectives, but approach trails are icy and some forest roads close for the season. Black flies can be bothersome in late spring.
Before You Go
Most of the state's notable falls lie within the White Mountain National Forest or state parks such as Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. Many national forest trailheads require a recreation parking pass, and state park fees apply at some sites. On autumn weekends, parking along the Kancamagus Highway and in the notches fills early. The main hazard is wet granite: smooth, algae-covered ledges near falls are extremely slippery, and slips into potholes or over drops cause injuries every year. Spring runoff makes crossings dangerous, and water stays cold well into summer. White Mountain weather can turn severe quickly at higher elevations, so even short hikes call for layers and rain gear.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More New Hampshire Waterfalls
See all 51 waterfalls in the New Hampshire waterfall guide, or browse by town: Tamworth, Deerfield, Alexandria, Plymouth, Keene, Mont Vernon, Bristol.
More New Hampshire Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in New Hampshire?
Sabbaday Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 420 Google reviews. It is near Tamworth in Grafton County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 7 publicly accessible New Hampshire waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in New Hampshire?
Our directory lists 51 named waterfalls in New Hampshire. See them all, sorted by town, in the New Hampshire waterfall guide.
What is the easiest White Mountains waterfall to visit?
Sabbaday Falls off the Kancamagus Highway is reached by a short, gentle path, and Glen Ellis Falls in Pinkham Notch is a short walk from the road with stairs to the viewpoint. Beaver Brook Falls near Colebrook is visible from roadside parking.