The hot summer temps have officially hit the Granite State, and more and a few of us are sweltering away miserably. But summer is meant to be enjoyed, not suffered through – so let's do something about that! There's one New Hampshire spot that is just plain magical, and you've got to add it to your summer bucket list.
If you're looking for the perfect place to swim this summer, look no further than Profile falls in Bristol, where a gorgeous waterfall creates the most perfect natural swimming pool.
You'll find the waterfall and its swimming hole off Profile Falls Road in Bristol. There's a parking lot, bathroom, and picnic tables above the falls where you can enjoy a nice scenic lunch.
New Hampshire might not be the only place in America with fantastic opportunities for enjoying nature. But it's definitely the only place in the number one spot on our list of favorites! One of the reasons for this is just how varied the opportunities are. If you love the beach in the summer, there's an adorable coastline to enjoy. And those who prefer the mountains have their pick of some of the best. Even the people who take pleasure in the walk to their mailbox and back have some of the best views in the region. We love all of these things, but we especially appreciate just how many rural corners there are in New Hampshire. Beede Falls Trail is one of the best waterfall hikes in New Hampshire. And with its location in the center of the woods, it's also one of the most serene.
advertisement
Some of the best New Hampshire waterfall hikes can be found in the popular and often busy White Mountains. But that doesn't mean each one is tourist-ready and easy to access.
The Beede Falls Trail is just under one mile and leads to an underrated natural feature we love. You'll find the trail head in the Sandwich Range Wilderness, away from the crowds that make other trails in the Whites feel like a city sidewalk at times.
There are even some fun features along the way, including a footbridge that kids love. In fact, this is one of the best hiking trails in NH for families.
While there are a few roots along the way, most of the trail is easy to navigate and the 90-foot elevation gain is barely noticeable, even if you're a novice hiker.
But that doesn't mean you must avoid it in the winter! This beauty is fun to visit year-round and we'd even argue that it's better in the winter surrounded by ice and snow.
Once you've seen the falls and you're ready to head back to the trailhead simply turn around and follow the same trail back. This is a lovely hike that doesn't require a lot of attention to reach your destination.
But, of course, always take caution when hiking no matter how simple the trail seems. Other than that, enjoy your time and be sure to make plans to visit again soon.
Beede Falls Trail can be accessed any time of year, but visitors have said it's best between May and October. You can learn more about it by visiting the Beede Falls Trail page on AllTrails. To make your trip (or any hike!) even better consider upgrading to AllTrails+. You'll get access to offline maps to download, alerts for wrong turns and more.
Water is essential to life so it's only natural that we as humans are often drawn to it. Whether it's sitting by a stream or lounging on the beach, the sights and sounds of water are there to soothe us. Flowing water, especially from a waterfall, is one of my favorite sounds in the world and if I'm tired enough, that sound can lull me right to sleep. I also love to hike to and alongside water features for this very reason. If you enjoy that too, here's one of the best waterfall hikes in New Hampshire, the stunning Nancy Cascades.
advertisement
The journey to Nancy Cascades begins at the trailhead for Nancy Pond Trail along U.S. Route 302 in Crawford Notch. Parking is available in a roadside pulloff.
On the way to the falls, you'll pass the remnants of Lucy Mill. The Lucy family of Conway used this mill to salvage trees after this area was heavily damaged by the great hurricane of 1938.
Finally, after 2.4 miles, the falls are reached and they are a stunner. An inviting pool below the falls is enticing on a hot day but use caution as the area is rocky.
The cascades are named in honor of a servant who perished during a White Mountains winter while searching for her lost fiancee. The lower part of the cascades is what is most visible but the entire height of the cascades and waterfalls above is estimated to be 300 feet.
The turnaround point for the hike described in this article is Nancy Cascades, but experienced hikers may be interested in continuing 1.1 miles further along Nancy Pond Trail to remote Nancy Pond, a beautiful destination in its own right.
While the overall mileage to the falls is relatively short, visitors should be aware that this is still very much a White Mountains hike involving steep and rough terrain. Hikers should be properly equipped for backcountry travel to ensure a safe trip. For more information on Nancy Cascades, visit the U.S. Forest Service and also consult the AMC White Mountain Guide.
For more of the best waterfall hikes in New Hampshire, plan a trip to Great Falls in Sandwich, Giant Falls in Shelburne, or Garfield Falls in the remote backcountry of Pittsburg.
