Lower Falls
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Entry fee: White Mountain National Forest recreation day-use fee / pass when the site is open (self-serve pay station). Lower Falls is a river on the Swift River in Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Closures and warnings
Granite rocks are quite slippery; use extreme caution during high water on the Swift River. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | River |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Water clarity | Swift River drops over smooth granite into a large pool below the falls. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Lower Falls Recreation Site on the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112); Swift River drops over smooth granite into a large pool. |
| Parking | About 80-car lot with picnic tables and charcoal grills |
| Fee | White Mountain National Forest recreation day-use fee / pass when the site is open (self-serve pay station) |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Site maintained mid-May through mid-October; not maintained for winter use (no fee in winter per WMNF pass list) |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (White Mountain National Forest, Saco Ranger District) |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Popular swim and picnic spot on the Kanc; alcohol prohibited by Town of Albany ordinance |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Lower Falls open?
Granite rocks are quite slippery; use extreme caution during high water on the Swift River. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Site maintained mid-May through mid-October; not maintained for winter use (no fee in winter per WMNF pass list).
Can you swim at Lower Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Lower Falls.
How do you get to Lower Falls?
The road in is paved. Lower Falls Recreation Site on the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112); Swift River drops over smooth granite into a large pool. Parking: About 80-car lot with picnic tables and charcoal grills.
Do you need a reservation for Lower Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Lower Falls?
The fee is White Mountain National Forest recreation day-use fee / pass when the site is open (self-serve pay station).
What facilities are at Lower Falls?
Picnic sites. Popular swim and picnic spot on the Kanc; alcohol prohibited by Town of Albany ordinance.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Lower Falls is inside White Mountain National Forest .
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain (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.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/lower-falls-recreation-site (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.parking / access.fee / access.seasonalClosure / hazardNote / access.amenities / access.roadNote / swimmerNotes.waterClarityNote)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/passes (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)