About Great Falls
Great Falls is a named waterfall in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, located about 4.1 miles west of Alstead. The U.S. Geological Survey records it on the Bellows Falls 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle at 43°08′08″ N, 72°26′25″ W (43.13551, -72.44035). Historical sources also record the names Kitchee Pontegu and Bellows Falls. Named features close by in the federal gazetteer include The Stairs (bench, 0.3 mi), Connecticut River Reservoir (reservoir, 0.4 mi), and Cold Springs (reservoir, 0.4 mi). The nearest other waterfall in this directory is Twin Falls, 1.5 miles to the southwest.
USGS gazetteer description: 30 ft. high; located along the Connecticut River at Bellows Falls. Note: the falls are primarily in NH, but since the NH-VT state boundary is the low water mark, part of the falls is within Vermont whenever the water is high
Name history: Kitchee Pontegu is an Abenaki name for the falls and reportedly means “great falls.”
Weather at Great Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
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Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Great Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
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Times in New York time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Map and Directions
The marker shows the USGS-recorded position of Great Falls. Trailheads and parking can be some distance from the falls themselves, so plan your route with an up-to-date trail map.
Named Landmarks Nearby
These named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System lie within two miles of Great Falls. Stream positions mark the stream's mouth as recorded by USGS.
- The Stairs — bench, 0.3 mi
- Connecticut River Reservoir — reservoir, 0.4 mi
- Cold Springs — reservoir, 0.4 mi
- Fall Mountain — summit, 0.4 mi
- Mount Kilburn — summit, 0.4 mi
- Hyde Hill Brook — stream, 0.7 mi
- Saxtons River — stream, 0.8 mi
- Mountain Brook — stream, 1.1 mi
Before You Visit
- Water levels change quickly. Flow is usually strongest after rain and during snowmelt; see the best time to visit waterfalls.
- Stay back from the brink and off wet rock. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.
- Check land ownership and access before you go. Some named falls sit on private property or in areas without a maintained trail.
- Download offline maps and save the coordinates 43.13551, -72.44035. Use our waterfall hike packing list.
Waterfalls Near Great Falls
- Beaver Brook Falls, NH15 mi southeast
- Wymans Falls, VT15 mi northwest
- Hamilton Falls, VT16 mi west
- Little Cascade Falls, VT20 mi north
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Great Falls located?
Great Falls is in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, about 4.1 miles west of Alstead. Its coordinates are 43.13551, -72.44035 (43°08′08″ N, 72°26′25″ W).
What town is closest to Great Falls?
The closest town with 1,000 or more residents is Alstead, NH, about 4.1 miles away in a straight line. Driving distance is usually longer, so check the route before you go.
What waterfalls are near Great Falls?
The closest is Twin Falls (1.5 mi southwest). Others within reach include Gages Falls (1.5 mi), Saxtons River Falls (3.5 mi), and Sokoki Falls (6.4 mi).
Which USGS topographic map shows Great Falls?
Great Falls appears on the USGS Bellows Falls 7.5-minute quadrangle. You can view it in The National Map viewer or download the US Topo sheet for offline navigation.