Jackson Falls
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Entry fee: No Wildcat River access fee. Jackson Falls is a river on the Wildcat River in Carroll County, New Hampshire.
Closures and warnings
Recreation concentrates at the falls on a free-flowing Wild and Scenic river segment; respect posted parking limits and private property nearby. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | River |
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Roadside cascade and pools on the Wildcat River in Jackson; federal Wildcat River plan identifies swimming as the primary summer activity at the falls. |
| Parking | Small roadside lot at the falls; three spaces reserved for Jackson property owners with town-issued stickers |
| When it fills | Two-hour parking limit for all vehicles at the falls |
| Fee | No Wildcat River access fee; Town of Jackson parking rules (fines up to $50 for violations). |
| Hours | Parking at the falls limited to 2 hours (Town of Jackson rules) |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Peak swimming visitation in July and August per Wildcat River comprehensive management plan |
| Managed by | Town of Jackson; Wildcat River Wild and Scenic River (National Park Service / Wildcat River Advisory Commission) |
| Note | High visitation in July and August; town asks visitors to pack out trash and keep noise down |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Jackson Falls open?
Recreation concentrates at the falls on a free-flowing Wild and Scenic river segment; respect posted parking limits and private property nearby. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Peak swimming visitation in July and August per Wildcat River comprehensive management plan. Hours: Parking at the falls limited to 2 hours (Town of Jackson rules).
Can you swim at Jackson Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Jackson Falls.
How do you get to Jackson Falls?
The road in is paved. Roadside cascade and pools on the Wildcat River in Jackson; federal Wildcat River plan identifies swimming as the primary summer activity at the falls. Parking: Small roadside lot at the falls; three spaces reserved for Jackson property owners with town-issued stickers. Two-hour parking limit for all vehicles at the falls.
Do you need a reservation for Jackson Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Jackson Falls?
The fee is No Wildcat River access fee; Town of Jackson parking rules (fines up to $50 for violations).
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: White Mountain National Forest (0.9 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.jacksonnh.com/ (accessed September 29, 2026; backs access.roadNote / access.roadSurface / identity, access.permitRequired, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType / entryType, manager / access identity, kind classification, county / state placement)
- https://www.rivers.gov/sites/rivers/files/documents/plans/wildcat-plan.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterbodyName / swimmerNotes / access.roadNote / hazardNote / manager / access.seasonalClosure)
- https://www.jackson-nh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/jackson_falls_property_owner_parking_rev5.5.22_0.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.parking / access.parkingPattern / access.amenities.note / access.fee / access.hours)