Best Waterfalls in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has some of the best-known waterfalls in New England, largely because steep mountain drainage, gorge country, and accessible scenic roads create strong conditions for falls. Many of the best sites are in or near the White Mountains, where waterfall visits pair naturally with drives and hikes.

Arethusa Falls

Arethusa Falls is one of the state's headline waterfalls and one of the tallest single-drop falls in New Hampshire. The trail is popular because the payoff is clear and the setting in Crawford Notch country is strong.

Sabbaday Falls

Sabbaday Falls is one of the easiest classic waterfall stops in the White Mountains. The short access and sculpted rock setting make it especially useful for families and scenic drivers.

Glen Ellis Falls

Glen Ellis is another major name, and it stands out because the waterfall is both visually strong and relatively easy to reach. It is a good example of New Hampshire's ability to deliver high-value natural features close to major routes.

Diana's Baths

Diana's Baths near North Conway is more a sequence of cascades and pools than a single towering fall, but it is one of the most beloved water features in the state. It works especially well in summer and shoulder seasons.

Ripley Falls

Also in Crawford Notch, Ripley Falls drops roughly 100 feet over a smooth granite face and is often paired with Arethusa Falls on the same hiking loop, giving visitors two major waterfalls within a single moderate trail.

Waterfall Geography in New Hampshire

Most of the state's best falls are tied to mountainous watersheds and notch-country terrain. That matters because the waterfalls are not isolated attractions. They are part of a much larger mountain landscape that gives them context and repeat value.