The 4-Hour Road Trip Around Coos County Waterfalls Is A Glorious Spring Adventure In New Hampshire
There are a lot of ways to celebrate spring in New Hampshire. From hiking to simply walking in your own backyard, life is in bloom all around us, and it’s all there for us to explore. While we love getting outside to stretch our legs, it can be hard to wrangle the family to hit the trails. Instead, consider this road trip through Coos County, which has more than 25 waterfalls! If you’ve ever found yourself wondering things like are there any cool waterfalls near me?, you’re in luck – because there are many right here in New Hampshire.
With more than 25 beautiful waterfalls, Coos County is a beautiful place to explore! This route will lead you to some truly beautiful reminders of why New Hampshire is one of the best places in the country for nature lovers.
First up is Beaver Brook Falls! We love that this waterfall can be viewed from the parking lot, which makes this great for folks who don't want to get out and hike. The easy access also means this is a great place to meet up with friends who might be taking their own car for the trip. It almost feels like cheating when it's this easy to drive up to a waterfall.
This waterfall can be accessed with a hike on the Peabody Brook Trail, making this a great option for those who also enjoy exploring. The main drop on these falls is about 80-feet, but the rush of water will be different depending on the season and weather. Head here in the spring as the winter snow is melting for lots of water! It's an awe-inspiring waterfall in New Hampshire you'll fall in love with right away.
3. Emerald Pool Falls, Chatham
Emerald Pool, State Rte 113, Chatham, NH 03813, USA
Next you'll be crossing the state border into Maine before making your way back into New Hampshire to reach Emerald Pool Falls. This is one of the state's most notable waterfalls and swimming holes! Known for its crystal clear water and peaceful setting, this is a early stop for a day that's warm. Cool down, dry off and hop back into the car! This isn't a roaring waterfall, but it's beautiful nonetheless. It's a nice, peaceful place for a day trip in New Hampshire all on its own!
4. Crystal Cascades, Pinkham Notch
Crystal Cascades, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
This beauty is located just off Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail. And with a rushing 100-foot drop, you'll probably hear it before you see it. We love this in the fall, but in the spring and summer you'll be surrounded by lush greenery. This is a little slice of heaven right in our backyards. We love this amazing hiking trail in New Hampshire more than words can say, and so will you!
You'll be doing a bit of overlap driving here, but it's worth it when you're in such a beautiful region. Keep on going and you'll make your way to Alpine Falls. The beautiful forest here includes stunning Hemlock trees which give way to a cascade that features a 60-foot main drop. You'll need to hike in, but ATVers can also visit on wheels.
And, last up is this stunningly peaceful waterfall. It's fed by the Ammonoosuc River and can be reached by a trail that's about a quarter of a mile.
From here, you can head back to your starting point the same way you came. Or, add your starting point to the directions to safely navigate without any worries about getting lost. It's a beautiful getaway in New Hampshire that you won't be ready for.
You can check out the full driving directions here. Just be sure to put in your own starting point to customize the route.
Address: Beaver Brook Falls, Colebrook, NH 03576, USA
Address: Giant Falls, Shelburne, NH 03581, USA
Address: Emerald Pool, State Rte 113, Chatham, NH 03813, USA
Address: Crystal Cascades, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Jackson, NH 03846, USA
Address: Alpine Cascades, Gorham, NH 03581, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
April 06, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best waterfall hikes in New Hampshire?
With so many options to choose from, how do you know where to begin? New Hampshire is a little slice of paradise for those of us who love the great outdoors, and it’s a real treat to live somewhere so outrageously scenic. Among our favorite, best-ever hiking trails with waterfalls in New Hampshire are delightfully amazing trails like the Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, at Franconia Notch State Park. It’s hard, and at just over nine miles long, it’s quite the trek – but it’ll be easy to see just how amazing it is along the way. For something a little shorter and easier (though still moderately challenging), check out Mount Willard Trail at Crawford Notch State Park (3.1 miles long), the Flume Gorge Trail at Franconia Notch State Park (2.2 miles, easy), and Diana’s Baths in the White Mountain National Forest.
How many waterfalls are there in Coos County New Hampshire?
Hold on to your hat: there are more than 25 amazing waterfalls in New Hampshire to adventure, photograph, and admire. There are so many that it’s kind of hard to pick just a few to obsess over, but we do admittedly have a few favorites. The Crystal Cascade, at Pinkham Notch, is absolutely unreal. It has a total drop of more than 100 feet and depending on the time of year, it can be roaring. Emerald Pools Fall is probably the most famous waterfall in Coos County, and for good reason: it leads to a pristine little emerald swimming hole (hence the name). If you like your waterfalls a little more subtle, check out the Basin Trail Cascades, whose drop is only about 20 feet, but trust us – it’s a really, really cool sight to see. Finally, look into the Dixville Flume, a small but mighty little fall within Dixville Notch State Park. Coos County in New Hampshire is a waterfall enthusiast’s dream come true.
Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
