TOP SWIMMING HOLES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Through my experience in writing the three editions of the New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 500 Cascades & Waterfalls guidebook, I have created a list that showcases some of the premier swimming holes in New Hampshire.
Before you read the list below, be aware that swimming holes can be extremely dangerous and that there have been dozens of fatalities in New Hampshire from swimming in these holes over the last 50 years. Cliff-jumping at these swimming holes is even more dangerous. Before you visit any of these places, make sure that you understand the risks. Be especially careful under moderate or high-water conditions. The point here is simple: always use common sense before stepping, sliding, or jumping into any swimming hole. From a legal perspective, I cannot and will not be held responsible for your safety.
If you do choose to visit any of these places, please Leave No Trace! Not only do you personally need to make sure to remove all your own trash, but I ask that you try to pick up any trash left by any others. There have been dozens of swimming holes closed off to the general public over the last 20 years due to disrespectful visitors. If too many more stories like this are heard, directions to all swimming holes will be removed from this website. That would truly be a shame, as these swimming holes are some of the most wonderful places in all of New Hampshire.
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DIANA'S BATHS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
an extremely popular series of family-friendly wading pools and small waterfalls near North Conway; very limited parking plus a $5 parking fee (bring cash); this is a very easy 1.2 mile round-trip hike through some very attractive woods; avoid on nice-weather summer weekends as crowds can be atrocious; make sure to explore all levels of falls and pools as there are some cool nooks and crannies to be found, including a pothole near the top that is over your head |
EMERALD POOL
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
this is a nice pool at the base of North & South Baldface mountains; it can be very busy here, even during mid-week; offers fun and relatively safe cliff-jumping opportunities (all cliff-jumping is dangerous, but this is about as safe is it gets anywhere); 0.7 mile hike each-way |
FALLS ON THE SMARTS BROOK TRAIL
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
enjoy a leisurely walk near Waterville Valley to one of the largest and clearest pools in the White Mountains |
FRANCONIA FALLS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
features several swimming holes, natural waterslides, and sunny slabs; you really have to be careful here - do not visit if river water level is running moderate or high!; a 6.4 mile, nearly flat, round-trip hike from the Lincoln Woods trailhead off NH 112 (the Kancamagus Highway); trailhead is the extremely popular Lincoln Woods trailhead off NH 112 |
JACKSON FALLS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
over 175-feet of slides, pools, and waterfalls; two can fit behind one of the waterfalls, where a natural rock seat will be found! very popular with families and small children, although most of the pools are extremely slippery (you'll see several people slip and fall if you stay a while); some picnic tables are found here, but they get taken up real fast on nice days |
LOWER AMMONOOSUC FALLS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
expect to find a huge pool below small set of cascades here; this pool is generally much safer than nearby Upper Ammonoosuc Falls; accessed via a short, easy walk from a trailhead not far from US 302; in low water, there is a neat little cave behind one of the cascades that you can duck into |
LOWER FALLS (ALBANY)
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
this is probably the most popular swimming hole in New England, and for good reason; hundreds will visit this place off the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112 west of Conway) on summer weekends; $5 parking fee (bring cash); while you are in the area, you should also visit nearby Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge (although you can't swim at either of those) |
SCULPTURED ROCKS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
offers several potholes and pools for wading and swimming; near Newfound Lake in central-western New Hampshire |
SWIFTWATER FALLS (BATH)
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
you'll undoubtedly enjoy this huge & relatively warm pool below a long wooden covered bridge; two waterfalls found on site; this is beautiful spot where you could easily spend an entire day; easy access from a large parking lot; 30 minutes west of Lincoln/Woodstock and the Kancamagus Highway; extremely family-friendly |
THIRTEEN FALLS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
requires a hike of 16-miles round trip, so it's best visited as part of a backpacking trip (the Appalachian Mountain Club manages tentsites here if you do want to backpack); I recommend visiting only on 80-degree plus days as these pools are normally quite frigid; I challenge you to find a finer set of remote swimming holes anywhere in New England |
UPPER AMMONOOSUC FALLS
| STATE |
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS |
| NH |
this is notoriously dangerous swimming hole near the Cog Railway that's only safe under low water conditions; cliff-jumping is extremely popular here, but do NOT attempt in high water as many people have died here over the years; offers a few excellent (and safer) pools for swimming immediately downstream of the falls; I cannot stress enough how dangerous this place is, so if you see strong currents, avoid swimming here at all costs |
TIPS FOR VISITING NEW HAMPSHIRE'S SWIMMING HOLES
- BEWARE OF WHITEWATER - if a swimming hole is full of whitewater, you may not be able to determine how deep it is or how strong the current is. Remember, many people have died in the whitewater portions of swimming holes.
- SCOUT FIRST, JUMP SECOND - Never jump into a swimming hole without first scouting it. Even if you see somebody else jumping, you should make sure that you know how deep the water is and where you shouldn't jump.
- ELEVATION & WATER TEMPERATURE - the higher the elevation, the chillier the swimming hole is likely going to be. For example, the swimming holes fed by water drainage from the slopes of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire are brutually cold, even when the outside temperature is in the 80s or 90s.
- WATER SHOES - You won't see too many people using them, but watershoes are fantastic pieces of equipment for enjoying swimming holes. Merrill makes some fantastic watershoes (here's one example: womens / mens).
- CLIFF JUMPING - Cliff jumping is dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous. Understand the risks before you partake in this activity.
- LEAVE NO TRACE - When you visit swimming holes, you'll see some trash and clothing left behind by others. It's really, really sad, and it irks the heck out of us. Won't you consider carrying out some of trash and clothing left by others when you leave? That would leave the place more beautiful for the next person.
- HELP KEEP THE ULTRA-SECRET SWIMMING HOLES A SECRET (FOREVER) - If you find some ultra-secret swimming holes, please do your best to keep them a secret. Do not post their locations online or wildly share directions or photos with others. All of the swimming holes that are included in the guidebook and on this website are the well-known swimming spots. There are many more holes that are much further off the beaten path, but they deserve a chance to stay wild and pristine.
- PRIVATE PROPERTY - Many swimming holes are located on private property and we are truly fortunate that many landowners allow us to enjoy them. If you want to ensure that they stay open to the public, please do your best to leave no trace. If you see a sign that says 'Private Property', turn around and find another place to swim.
- SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PRESERVE SWIMMING HOLES - There are some organizations that work diligently to conserve and maintain swimming holes. Please consider supporting these organizations, either with trail maintenance projects or monetary donations. Here are two excellent organizations engaged in such important work: the Vermont River Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy.
- SWIMMINGHOLES.ORG - You can find more swimming holes on www.swimmingholes.org, but always, always, always remember to treat these places with respect (make sure you leave no trash, clothes or towels behind when you leave).
OTHER TRAVEL LISTS BY NEWENGLANDWATERFALLS.COM
Here are more travel lists to help you enjoy more of the awesome scenery of New England:
- Swimming Holes in New England = link
- Swimming Holes in the White Mountains = link
- Natural Waterslides in New England = link
- Top Waterfalls in New England = link
- Top 10 Hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire = link
- Top 25 Hikes in New Hampshire = link
- Top 25 Hikes in New England = link
- Top 25 Easy Day Hikes in New England = link
- Top 25 Loop Hikes in New England = link
- Top 25 Family-Friendly Hikes in New England = link
- Top Rock Scrambles in New England = link
- Hiking New Hampshire's 4000-Footers = link
- Hiking New Hampshire's 52 Peaks With A View List = link
- Hiking the North Shore of Massachusetts / North of Boston = link
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