Arethusa Falls
- Height
- 140 ft
- Hike
- 1.5 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Arethusa Falls drops about 140 ft on Bemis Brook in Grafton County, New Hampshire. Reaching it is a 1.5 mi hike each way.
Closures and warnings
Steady uphill trail with roots and wet rock near the falls. Stay off the cliff edge at the brink. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 140 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Appalachian Mountain Club estimate about 140 ft; tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire (Bemis Brook over granite) |
Access
| Hike | 1.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Arethusa Falls Trail from US-302 in Hart's Location / Crawford Notch State Park. |
| Parking | Arethusa Falls trailhead lot on US-302 |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation (Crawford Notch State Park) / USDA Forest Service (White Mountain. |
| Note | Popular White Mountains waterfall hike; can combine with Frankenstein Cliff / Bemis Brook side trails |
|---|
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Arethusa Falls open?
Steady uphill trail with roots and wet rock near the falls. Stay off the cliff edge at the brink. As of September 28, 2026.
How tall is Arethusa Falls?
Arethusa Falls drops about 140 ft.
How long is the hike to Arethusa Falls?
It's a 1.5 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Arethusa Falls Trail from US-302 in Hart's Location / Crawford Notch State Park. Parking: Arethusa Falls trailhead lot on US-302.
Do you need a reservation for Arethusa Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Arethusa Falls flowing?
Appalachian Mountain Club estimate about 140 ft; tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire (Bemis Brook over granite).
What are the rules at Arethusa Falls?
Dogs are allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: White Mountain National Forest (under 0.1 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/crawford-notch-state-park (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi / access.roadNote / waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote, access.parking / access.permitRequired / access.amenities.note, waterbodyName / hazardNote, waterfall.ephemeral, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.roadSurface)
- https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/pet-friendly-parks-trails (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs)
More: New Hampshire waterfalls