Along with nearby Lower Falls, Champney Falls and Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge is a popular warm weather attraction for visitors traveling the Kancamagus Highway. Similar to these other admired waterfalls, Rocky Gorge can be teeming with shutterbugs, swimmers, and other visitors. Despite the crowds, this 15-foot plunge is absolutely worthy of your attention since it is a highly photogenic waterfall set on an open, sunny river. A bridge has been constructed near the falls to give you one of the better possible perspectives. You do not need the bridge to see the falls though; the river is easy to navigate around. You will notice signs near the gorge prohibiting swimming. Although swimming in the gorge is prohibited, you may swim both upstream and downstream. The river does have a rather fast current along its entire length, but there are many rock obstacles that create dormant pools that are perfect for a quick dip. As you walk along the trail to view the falls you will read a story as to why swimming is prohibited at Rocky Gorge. In 1942 Dorothy Sparks went for a swim only to get sucked into the currents and lodged under the rocks beneath the surface. During the three-hour rescue, all thought she was lost, but miraculously she survived. The falls have been off limits to swimming ever since this event. There are also picnic tables and bathroom facilities here as well, making the area quite visitor friendly.

From the parking lot facing the river, take the paved path on your right that travels alongside a log fence. The falls are 0.1 mile away and best viewed by footbridge that crosses the Swift River. This is a handicap accessible site and there are many benches to rest at along the short stretch to view the falls. Informational displays that can be found along the walk are also worthy of your attention.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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