The Basin
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: No separate day-use fee for The Basin pullouts. The Basin is a creek pool on the Pemigewasset River in Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Closures and warnings
Smooth granite is extremely slippery when wet. Swimming in the Basin pothole is often discouraged or posted; follow current NH State Parks guidance. Users assume all risk in off-season. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Water type | Creek pool |
|---|---|
| Current | Mild |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | I-93 Franconia Notch Parkway pullouts for The Basin. Short paved paths to the granite pothole and cascade. |
| Parking | The Basin northbound and southbound lots |
| Fee | No separate day-use fee for The Basin pullouts; other Franconia Notch attractions (Flume, tram historically) have. |
| Hours | Park always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting; off-season may be unstaffed with gates closed |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation (Franconia Notch State Park) / USDA Forest Service (White Mountain. |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Seasonal comfort stations when staffed; park also includes Echo Lake Beach, Flume Gorge, and Lafayette Place Campground |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is The Basin open?
Smooth granite is extremely slippery when wet. Swimming in the Basin pothole is often discouraged or posted; follow current NH State Parks guidance. Users assume all risk in off-season. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Park always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting; off-season may be unstaffed with gates closed.
Can you swim at The Basin?
A mild current is reported here.
How do you get to The Basin?
The road in is paved. I-93 Franconia Notch Parkway pullouts for The Basin. Short paved paths to the granite pothole and cascade. Parking: The Basin northbound and southbound lots.
Do you need a reservation for The Basin?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at The Basin?
The fee is No separate day-use fee for The Basin pullouts; other Franconia Notch attractions (Flume, tram historically) have.
What facilities are at The Basin?
Restrooms. Seasonal comfort stations when staffed; park also includes Echo Lake Beach, Flume Gorge, and Lafayette Place Campground.
What are the rules at The Basin?
Dogs are allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: White Mountain National Forest (0.4 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/franconia-notch-state-park (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hours / access.amenities.note / access.roadNote, access.parking / access.fee / access.permitRequired, waterbodyName / swimmerNotes.waterType / hazardNote, swimmerNotes.current, access.roadSurface, manager)
- https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/pet-friendly-parks-trails (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs)