WATERFALLS NEAR BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTSThe waterfalls listed below represent the finest waterfalls that are within close distance of the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Each of these waterfalls is within a 90-minute drive of the city, and you can easily visit several of them in a single day. Follow New England Waterfalls on Facebook!  MAP OF WATERFALLS NEAR BOSTON Here is a map that provides an overview of the best waterfalls close to Boston.  TRAP FALLS Rating:  Ashby, Massachusetts Trapfall Brook 0.1 mile hike one-way (easy) Trap Falls is the the easternmost significant waterfall in Massachusetts. When the water flow is cooperating, three small but elegant plunges can be seen flowing here. A wooden bridge just downstream of the falls provides a great perspective of the falls.
DOANE'S FALLS Rating:  Royalston, Massachusetts Lawrence Brook 0.3 mile hike one-way (easy/moderate) Doane's Falls is one of three sets of waterfalls you can find in the town of Royalston, which is about 90 minutes west of Boston. There are several very distinct drops here, plus a very interesting stone bridge.
ROYALSTON FALLS Rating:  Royalston, Massachusetts Falls Brook 0.8 mile hike one-way (moderate) Royalston Falls is a 45-foot plunge that falls into a giant bowl. You'll feel a million miles away from society if you hike to these remote falls. There are two trailheads, one off of a state highway and another off Falls Road, a 4WD road that is typically in very rough shape.
SPIRIT FALLS Rating:  Royalston, Massachusetts Outflow from Little Pond 0.9 mile hike one-way (easy/moderate) Spirit Falls is a tall and seasonal chain of cascades within the Jacobs Hill Reservation, which is managed by a nonprofit group called The Trustees of Reservation. Save this one for the spring, where the waterflow will be stronger. Bring lots of bug spray!
UPPER PURGATORY FALLS Rating: Mont Vernon/Lyndeoborough, New Hampshire Purgatory Brook 0.3 or 1.2 mile hike one-way (moderate) WARNING! This waterfall may be off-limits due to overuse / limited parking. I haven't been since 2018. One of the best of several great waterfalls in southern New Hampshire, Upper Purgatory Falls requires either a 0.3 mile (one-way) or 1.2 mile hike (one-way), depending upon which trailhead you elect to start from.
LOWER PURGATORY FALLS Rating: Mont Vernon/Lyndeoborough, New Hampshire Purgatory Brook 0.3 mile hike one-way (easy) WARNING! This waterfall may be off-limits due to overuse / limited parking. I haven't been since 2018. One of three sizeable waterfalls on Purgatory Brook, 15-foot tall Lower Purgatory Falls is reached via an easy walk from a trailhead on Purgatory Road.
GARWIN FALLS Rating: Wilton, New Hampshire Outlet of the Wilton Reservoir 0.25 mile hike one-way (easy) WARNING! This waterfall may be off-limits due to overuse / limited parking. I haven't been since 2018. Visit Garwin Falls in high-water conditions for a spectacular 40-foot tall display. The falls are located on private property, but the landowners have generously allowed public access for generations. However, parking is extremely limited.
TUCKER BROOK FALLS Rating: Milford, New Hampshire Tucker Brook 0.3 mile hike one-way (easy/moderate) One of the most photogenic falls in southern New Hampshire, 12-foot Tucker Brook Falls can be a little bit tricky to find, but the payoff is high when the water flow is good. These falls are best visited in spring or after heavy rains.
SENTER FALLS Rating: Lyndeborough, New Hampshire Cold Brook 0.6 mile loop (moderate) The Piscataquog Land Conservancy manages a small conservation park in the town of Lyndeborough, and the numerous cascades and falls of Senter Falls is the highlight of that park. The falls can be enjoyed on a moderate 0.6 mile loop hike.
THE CASCADE, MELROSE, MA Rating:  Melrose, Massachusetts Shilly Shally Brook 0.1 mile hike one-way (easy) This is the closest natural waterfall to Boston. It's only worth visiting during the short snowmelt season (which typically occurs sometime between mid-March and early April in this area), or during or after heavy rains. The waterfall is within the Middlesex Fells Reservation, which is one of the finest areas for hiking near the city of Boston.
HELPFUL LINKS Here are some helpful links to help you explore and enjoy more waterfalls and swimming holes throughout New England:
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