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    The Basin

    4.8 (30 reviews)

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    Brittany K.

    Lovely area for hiking and very beginner/family friendly. Literally anyone can do this one! Albeit simple, it's so pleasant and filled with scenery. The tree coverage made for comfortable shade and the basin itself gave off a nice cooling mist and was just a stunning shade of crystal clear blue. There is plenty of nearby parking and this trail is free. Add this to your white mountain itinerary!

    Christina S.

    My parents have been coming here for over 40 years and with me since a small child. We recently visited again as adults and it's everything I remembered it to be. A very easy walk, mostly paved, it is a beautiful free scenic site to enjoy the beauty of the NH mountains. Keep going if you are more adventurous to several trails. So peaceful and relaxing to see the water rushing in a thousands-year old fall. Nature truly is amazing.

    John O.

    We were feeling a little tired after going to Flume Gorge, so the basin was a nice little visit. We stopped for lunch in the picnic area before going to the basin. The basin is an amazing site to visit. Carved by glaciers and torrents of water over hundreds of thousands of years, this natural landmark has amazed visitors for years. I haven't been here in years, and I was just as mesmerized as I was when I was a child. There are a trails connected through here. But they cross streams and my wife didn't have the right footwear, so we did not end up hiking the cascade-basin trail. There were streams to that one could take a dip in. The water looked welcoming! But alas, it was not so this visit.

    When I found out The Flume was not pet friendly, I began looking for things to do with my dog while the rest of my group visited The Flume. The Basin was the third stop on my lit nerd trail, and it was wonderful!!! I'd planned to visit Frost's Place, the Old Man, and The Basin with my 4-legged baby. We had the best time. I'd researched the Basin (mostly on All Trails and some Google articles before going), so I knew it was accessible. I think seeing how many groups were out using the trails because they needed the accessibility made me appreciate The Basin on another level. I had read somewhere it didn't take long to do the trails. This lead me to making a huge mistake. I underestimated the time I set aside to see The Basin. There's a lot to enjoy. I was rushed. It was still wonderful though. I was disappointed I had to leave. Sidebar - My dog is a rescue. There are certain sounds that scare her - i.e. plastic bags. She's also very well traveled, and she loves hiking. I did learn she's not a huge fan of some of the rushing water sounds...which was interesting bc we've hiked several falls. I just wanted to mention it in case it was helpful to someone. The only thing keeping me from giving The Basin a full 4 stars is I tried using 3 restrooms after listening to all of the rushing water, and they were communicable disease filthy. There must have been a group that visited earlier in the day that had some bad food or something. I tent camp. I use privies. It was bad that day. I'd love to go back some day, so I can bump it up if things look better. Difficulty 1/10

    Nat S.

    As a NH native, this is a do not miss. Not only is it beautiful, it is without admission. The white waters are extremely cold, and I dare you to get in the whole way. The only way I have ever fully submerged was using a push up position. Higher up the water is warmer, so check the temperature. I almost met my demise here when I was around 7. I was sliding down a natural waterside, for a few feet. After doing this several times, I was almost swept away by a current and had to dig my legs into rocks to prevent myself from sliding into the rapids. Kids don't be dumb! At least I was rugged and made the right decision. There are extensions that access the wetlands, and if I remember right the Appalachian trail. You will have to cross a segment that floods, and can become impassable. If it is a go you still may get wet. On a hot day, this is idyllic.

    Kate C.

    Great walkway, beautiful scenery easy enough for all ages, this is a favorite stop for us every time we are in New Hampshire, I'm old enough to remember when you could swim here, not anymore surrounded by fencing super safe. Easy pull off from the highway. Well maintained and did I mention scenic in every sense of the word?!

    The basin
    Farhan S.

    It was a beautiful hike. Lots of great falls to look at and there is also a small pool for swimming. Walk along the path or you can ride your bike. Pets are allowed here so you can bring them along which makes for a nice experience. Definitely worth a visit if you are visiting Franconia state park.

    Stephanie K.

    Great spot for a low key and easy family hike. We quickly made it to the Basin and then continued on down past the Baby Flume. It was a relatively easy hike and my 3 year old managed to walk/run the whole way. The scenery was lovely, and it was calming to listen to the babbling water along the way. There has been quite a bit of rain so trails were a bit muddy in spots so hiking shoes would be a good idea!

    Simply gorgeous! Took many photographs when we visited last year. Also went for a long hike on one of the tougher trails that went uphill! Got covered in mud but that's part of the fun! To view The Basin - it is a short easy walk from a parking lot. One of the most beautiful spots in New Hampshire!

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    4 years ago

    one of the most amazing natural waterfalls & surrounding walkways! highly recommend. great vibes

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    7 years ago

    Wow what a beautiful place to visit! And for free? Just go and you will be glad you did.

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    Ask the Community - The Basin

    Review Highlights - The Basin

    It's a fantastic and cheap way to get outdoors in Franconia Notch and a must see for all nature lovers and photogs.

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    Lost River Gorge

    Lost River Gorge

    4.6(92 reviews)
    9.3 km

    This was sooo much fun! We spent almost 2 hours here and loved reading the educational facts along…read morethe boardwalk and exploring the caves! There were so many beautiful areas along the boardwalk. The lemon squeezer and dungeon were the most difficult but also the most fun! We got a bit muddy and wet but that's all part of the adventure! We also loved the huge birds nest at the end and got a huge laugh out of pretending to be baby birds. I would definitely come back here again!

    Stumbled across Lost River when planning a trip to NH to see the fall foliage. I absolutely love…read morethe Flume Gorge trail & this one wasnt too far away. I had heard there were gorges & caves to explore different from other trails nearby along with beautiful pines and waterfalls. It exceeded all my expectations! It says this is a 1 mile loop hike but be prepared- I walk a 5k daily & this trail kicked my butt in a good way. It was moderately challenging- I went in the rain so it was a bit cooler too. The best advice I could offer is to take a backpack with snacks, another jacket just in case (although i layered up), pack rain pants to help keep me warm in the rain, and shoes with good traction. And plenty of water. Beanies may also be a good option to keep your head warm from the cold. And a portable battery. Also, if you haven't traveled with a car like me..then the Shuttle Connection is a life saver to travel in town. Way cheaper than Uber and fairly quick to transport you wherever you want to go. Also for travelers go back and forth to other states travel by bus is the perfect and most affordable way to travel. This trail offered amazing views, great photo ops, and plenty of additional trails to explore. They also make sure to keep everything maintained and safe for hikers exploring. Everything is well labeled and easy to follow. They do say and I can attest- travelers who have difficulty walking or have walkers etc..this may not be an ideal trail. Also, for younger children this may not be an kdela hike because of how extensive the elevation is. You are climbing a mountain and waterfall elevation. Make sure to look up details on their trail before you plan a trip. But well worth the hike :)

    Photos
    Lost River Gorge - The kids mined for rocks and crystals

    The kids mined for rocks and crystals

    Lost River Gorge
    Lost River Gorge

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    Franconia Notch State Park

    Franconia Notch State Park

    4.7(53 reviews)
    14.1 km

    Me entire family went hiking together and it was beautiful!! The views, the climb, the weather,…read moreeverything. It was never overly crowded, so we were able to make quick stops along the hike for a snack or to take pics or even just stop to take in the view without feeling like a disturbance to anyone trying to pass. Hiking around Flume Gorge was also pretty lengthy which made for a camera roll loaded with pictures and a tired Sophie by the end of it. :) Such a fun place to check out. W the amazing views and variety of different elevations on this hike! Highly recommend!

    Happy Earth Day again. You thought I was finished? HA!…read more Words fail to describe my love of Franconia. I am a Dartmouth alum - not one of the rich ones lmao so I did not have a car at college. If I did tho, you couldn't have pulled me away from the beauty of the White Mountains. I am however one of the old alums so I remember when there used to be an Old Man of the Mountain before his nose fell off lol. Anyways, this place has my entire heart and I only share it with people I trust. I took my friend here for a weekend getaway of rustic camping and hiking last April and I can safely say she also fell in love. We ran up and down I-93, I showed her the remnants of the Old Man, we stopped by the lake (lord it was cold), then we went to the Basin - beautiful in ALL seasons - and hiked a trail on-site. God I love Franconia so much. If you haven't gotten the chance to visit please make it a priority. It's stunning in all seasons! Things to know: -you can access The Basin from either side of 93. If on the far side you just need to cross under the overpass. -The Basin is paved. There are some stairs to get a closer look but it is largely accessible to view. -Still snow in some sections in late April - you're ok without spikes imo -parking was still free as of last year

    Photos
    Franconia Notch State Park
    Franconia Notch State Park - Honestly I look really good in chilly weather. Like skin and hair goes crazy.

    Honestly I look really good in chilly weather. Like skin and hair goes crazy.

    Franconia Notch State Park

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    The Flume Gorge

    The Flume Gorge

    4.6(195 reviews)
    5.8 km

    One of my favorite places to go hiking! This never disappoints. It's magical, refreshing and not…read morehard.

    Located off of route 3 ( the Daniel Webster Highway) in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. An amazing…read moreplace to check out, in EVERY season! In the summer and fall there is an entrance fee of $18. There's a small entrance area, that has a ticket hut, similar to a fair or fun park. In the winter and spring... free, if you dare hike in on your own. I would suggest snow shoes or micro spikes, maybe even crampons. It's about a two mile trek, and you can do it, either counter clockwise or clockwise. We did it backward, mid winter. It was so awesome. You could hear the water rushing fast and cold, under the snow. Be very careful with your footing, while making your way through this hike! The covered bridges are beautiful, again , in every season, but there is something so special about hiking with a snow-globe effect. The colors in fall, are also a must see. In summer and fall, the tourists are not easy to get through. They clog the area entirely and there is very little room to get around. The trail has a visitor area that has lots of information about the park and the area. It has nice and clean restrooms, that are accessible. The parking lot is very large, and a small bridge over the water way makes it handicapped accessible as well. The busy season sees some snacks and drinks in the area if need be. There's a half way mark, with another little place, that has bathrooms, as well. It's a really wonderful place to spend a few hours. No dogs allowed, which is a bit of a bummer to be honest, but I guess I understand why. If you're in the area, I suggest you stop, especially if you've never visited it before !!

    Photos
    The Flume Gorge
    The Flume Gorge - Savoring the view

    Savoring the view

    The Flume Gorge - Getting ready for the hike.

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    Getting ready for the hike.

    Echo Lake State Park

    Echo Lake State Park

    4.5(30 reviews)
    40.9 km

    What a beautiful and serene spot!…read more Echo Lake is approximately 15.7 acres. Two granite ledges called White Horse and Cathedral Ledge surround it. We went later in the afternoon so parking was ample. A short walk leads you to the picnic area and lake. It's about a 1 mile hike around the lake. The water was clear and cold. There were lots of mosquitoes at that hour. We enjoyed seeing the tadpoles in the water. My family enjoyed our time there and can't wait to go back to this picturesque spot!

    m a local to the state of NH about 1.5hr drive from this beautiful place…read moreWill recommend Will return Check the bacteria site before heading up to make sure its swim able I have state park plates so I went to New Hampshire State Parks website and made a reservation for this particular day in Wood State Park plates you pay one dollar which is your processing fee Without state Park plates, the entry fee is eight dollars per car I recommend making reservations on the website rather than just rolling up in person. They do have a large parking lot, but it seems to fill very quickly. The beach is very family oriented. You can rent canoes. You can rent kayaks. You can rent paddle boats. The fees are very reasonable. They have tubes. You can also purchase for a small fee of six dollars. The beach was not overcrowded. They have many hiking trails and areas around that area as well. They have charcoal grills that you can use up off the beach with some grassy area that you could also camp at. There is also a bathhouse there that's open as well as a small store There are no lifeguards it's a swim at your own risk Very very clean

    Photos
    Echo Lake State Park
    Echo Lake State Park
    Echo Lake State Park

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    Diana's Baths - Rock stack

    Diana's Baths

    4.6(127 reviews)
    40.8 km

    Parking instructions here were very unclear. What we initially believed were parking spaces turned…read moreout to be a line of cars waiting to park, with no visible signage where we entered. When we noticed an opening, we asked nearby drivers if we could squeeze in, and they had no issue with it. As we were parking, an employee approached us in a very aggressive and unprofessional manner and told us we could not park there. We apologized and explained that we were not from the area and had not seen any signs. We were told that the rule was "well known to locals" and that a sign existed at the front of the line--more than 25 cars ahead, making it impossible for us to see. Despite the surrounding drivers having no objection, the employee demanded we leave and became increasingly hostile when we asked questions or requested a manager. At that point, the interaction escalated unnecessarily, and we decided it wasn't worth the confrontation and left. I've never experienced such a level of rudeness from a staff member over an honest misunderstanding. Clear signage and more professional communication would have avoided the entire situation. Someone even yelled out "stop being a parking nazi". I would have otherwise liked to review the venue itself, but we were unable to do so as we never made it inside.

    Diana's Bath is a natural pool with some small waterfalls. The walk from the parking lot is about…read more.6 miles one way, it's a quick and easy hike to reach this gorgeous spot. There is a parking lot and we were able to find parking but I'm sure it gets full at peak times. We enjoyed the hike and the waterfalls. It was in late May so there were quite a few people there. It's a peaceful spot to relax, sit in the pool, and just enjoy nature. I'm glad my family and I got to visit during this trip!

    Photos
    Diana's Baths - Waterfall

    Waterfall

    Diana's Baths - Waterfall

    Waterfall

    Diana's Baths

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    Grafton Notch State Park - 3.28.2026

    Grafton Notch State Park

    4.8(16 reviews)
    84.4 km

    Grafton Notch State Park occupies 3,129 acres (1,266 hectares) surrounding Grafton Notch, the…read moremountain pass between aldpate Mountain and Old Speck Mountain. The drive to it along ME 26 was beautiful, despite the intense and brutal heat on the day of our first visit. There are roadside turnouts for both Mother Walker Falls and Screw Auger Falls; the water flow at the falls was markedly curtailed due to the current drought conditions. You'll find signage that explains this area's glacial and geologic history. The trails leading to the waterfalls are short and well-marked, with uneven rock and forest flooring. Tip: Apparently Screw Auger Falls is so named because it looks as like someone took a giant auger and drilled large quantities of rock out of this quite sizable granite rock formation formation Tip: Dogs are allowed here for no additional fee. They're permitted throughout the park and on the trails; but not on the beaches I totally enjoyed everything I saw here on my first visit, and have already gone back a week ago. I expect to make visiting this very special destination a regular habit :-)

    Grafton Notch State Park, one of Maine's scenic byways, is always going to have a really special…read moreplace in my heart: it's the first time I stepped on the Appalachian Trail! And, I don't know, you don't forget that do you? Screw Auger Falls - Anytime I get the chance to play on rocks and waterfalls, I'm going to! The Bear River has areas of expansive smooth rocks that may or may not be accessible (depends on how much water is flowing). On one side, there's a tinier waterfall; the other side, the gorge where Screw Auger spills down. The rocks here are so interestingly carved and worn because of the years and years (and years) of water washing over them. Mother Walker Falls Turnout - I think this is where The Abandoned Road is, an interesting stone stairway, a wee cave, and some information about "this section of Bear River in the deep gorge below is called Mother Walker Falls. Roaring over broken rocks and falling into little pools, the river gradually drops a total of 98 feet." You can't see much because of the density of the trees. Moose Cave - This is a 1/4 mile loop of mostly packed surface, stairs, some boardwalks and planks, and a few steep drop-offs. There's a reindeer moss garden before Moose Cave which was formed when a great slab of granite broke away from the mountainside. Supposedly at some point an unlucky moose got trapped here. Eyebrow Trail/Table Rock - So now we get to some hiking. I did some research that suggested Table Rock (2380°, 2.4 miles; specifically going orange to blue to white [AT]) was slightly easier than Eyebrow (2600°, 2.1 miles; specifically going orange to white [AT]). Either way, you get to spend some time on the AT, and some folks are here just to step foot, snap a photo, and move on. We decided to do Eyebrow Trail and it was one of the toughest hikes I've ever been on in the best way possible; it ignited a passion in me I didn't know I had! There were areas where you had to scale the mountainside with an iron cable bolted into the ground; other areas where you had to climb vertically on a rock surface via an iron ladder. The summit's views reminded me of areas of the Highlands in Scotland; and, I don't know that I've ever smelled pine so raw and cold and crisp before. I will never forget this hike; maybe sometime I can come back and do Old Speck (4180°)! Spruce Meadow Turnout - We stopped here to have lunch. If you walk a little further then where most of the picnic tables are, there's a lone table facing an expanse of stunning mountain. It's a good place to have a good meal with a good friend. Scenic Turnout - There's not much that here, a trio of signs/placards that talk about the area. What a beautiful Maine spot this is!

    Photos
    Grafton Notch State Park - 3.28.2026

    3.28.2026

    Grafton Notch State Park - Tadpoles!

    Tadpoles!

    Grafton Notch State Park - My pals exploring

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    My pals exploring

    The Basin - parks - Updated May 2026

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