10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in New Hampshire (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of New Hampshire's 51 named waterfalls, starting with Arethusa Falls. The list spans the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset, Eastern White Mountains and the North Country, and Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 25 publicly accessible New Hampshire waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Arethusa Falls
Deerfield, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 866 photos of it on Google, about 4.9 for every review. 87% of its 175 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "The state's 2nd tallest, this picturesque waterfall is reached by a 1.5-mile, uphill hiking trail." The setting includes Frankenstein Cliff (cliff, 1.1 mi) and Crawford Notch (valley, 1.4 mi). 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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2. Sabbaday Falls
Tamworth, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,010 photos of it on Google, about 4.8 for every review. 88% of its 420 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Gentle, paved trail to a sequence of narrow waterfalls in a forest renowned for its fall foliage." The setting includes Sugar Hill (summit, 0.9 mi) and Potash Mountain (summit, 0.9 mi). 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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3. Glen Ellis Falls
Gorham, NH · Coos County · Eastern White Mountains and the North Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 980 photos of it on Google, about 4.1 for every review. 90% of its 240 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "Serene, 64-foot high waterfall on the Ellis River in White Mountain National Forest." The setting includes Lost Pond (lake, 0.4 mi) and Pinkham Notch (gap, 0.9 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Eastern White Mountains and the North Country region. The nearest town is Gorham, about 11 miles to the north.
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4. Beaver Brook Falls
Colebrook, NH · Coos County · Eastern White Mountains and the North Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 158 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 91% of its 46 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Lombard Pond (lake, 0.7 mi) and Matthews Pond (lake, 1.1 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Eastern White Mountains and the North Country region. The nearest town is Colebrook, about 2.3 miles to the southwest.
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5. Ripley Falls
Deerfield, NH · Carroll County · Eastern White Mountains and the North Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 241 photos of it on Google, about 4.2 for every review. 84% of its 57 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Crawford Notch (valley, 0.9 mi) and Frankenstein Cliff (cliff, 1.3 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Eastern White Mountains and the North Country region. The nearest town is Deerfield, about 12 miles to the northwest.
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6. Franconia Falls
Deerfield, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 325 photos of it on Google, about 5.0 for every review. 80% of its 65 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). The setting includes Black Pond (lake, 0.2 mi) and Ice Pond (lake, 0.5 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Deerfield, about 8.8 miles to the north.
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7. Wildcat Falls
Merrimack, NH · Hillsborough County · Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 102 photos of it on Google, about 2.3 for every review. 73% of its 44 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). Its listing describes it as: "This rocky, picturesque waterfall in Wildcat Falls Conservation Area is surrounded by trees." The setting includes Horseshoe Pond (lake, 1.0 mi) and Turkey Hill (summit, 1.2 mi). It is one of 13 named falls in the Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley region. The nearest town is Merrimack, about 0.9 miles to the northeast.
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8. Purgatory Falls
Mont Vernon, NH · Hillsborough County · Southern Uplands and the Merrimack Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 80 photos of it on Google, about 3.1 for every review. 73% of its 26 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "A hiking trail leads to this scenic waterfall with several cascades amid a tranquil forest." The setting includes Purgatory Hill (summit, 0.5 mi) and Beech Hill (summit, 0.8 mi). 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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9. Georgiana Falls
Woodstock, NH · Grafton County · Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 159 photos of it on Google, about 5.1 for every review. 84% of its 31 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). The setting includes Indian Head (pillar, 1.3 mi) and Mount Pemigewasset (summit, 1.4 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Western White Mountains and the Pemigewasset region. The nearest town is Woodstock, about 6.9 miles to the south.
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10. Beede Falls
Sandwich, NH · Carroll County · Eastern White Mountains and the North Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 178 photos of it on Google, about 3.5 for every review. 78% of its 51 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). The setting includes Dinsmore Mountain (summit, 1.0 mi) and Dinsmore Pond (lake, 1.1 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Eastern White Mountains and the North Country region. The nearest town is Sandwich, about 4.9 miles to the southeast.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More New Hampshire Waterfalls
See all 51 waterfalls in the New Hampshire waterfall guide, or browse by town: Deerfield, Tamworth, Gorham, Colebrook, Merrimack, Mont Vernon, Woodstock, Sandwich.
More New Hampshire Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in New Hampshire?
Arethusa Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 175 Google reviews. It is near Deerfield in Grafton County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 25 publicly accessible New Hampshire waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Why are New Hampshire's waterfalls concentrated in the north?
The White Mountains in Grafton, Coos and Carroll counties combine steep, glacier-carved notches, hard granite bedrock and heavy precipitation. The lower, rolling terrain of southern New Hampshire produces fewer and smaller falls.