Arethusa Falls
Carroll County, New Hampshire
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 138 ft (42 m)
- Location
- Carroll County, New Hampshire
- Access status
- Maintained state park trail to a tall waterfall
- The walk
- About 3 miles return
- Ground & access
- Steady uphill climb on a maintained trail. Rocks at the base are very slippery. Waterfall Hero warns not to climb up the side of the falls.
Arethusa Falls is a waterfall of about 160 feet on Bemis Brook in Crawford Notch State Park. From the parking area, walk up Arethusa Falls Road to the railroad tracks and turn left onto the Arethusa Falls Trail. At 0.3 miles keep right where the Bemis Brook Trail leaves to the left. Climb about another mile to the junction with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, then go left and down to the base of the falls.
Plan your visit
Arethusa Falls Trailhead off US 302 in Crawford Notch State Park, Arethusa Falls Trail to the base of Arethusa Falls
Trail Finder gives a 3-mile out-and-back hike, climbing 1.5 miles to the falls. Waterfall Hero also gives 3.0 miles.
Steady uphill climb on a maintained trail. Rocks at the base are very slippery. Waterfall Hero warns not to climb up the side of the falls.
Where to start
Large parking area on the right side of Arethusa Falls Road, just off US 302, about 14.5 to 14.6 miles from Twin Mountain or from the NH 16 and US 302 junction near Glen.
Timing & water
Waterfall Hero says the brook is small this high up, so the falls are best in spring or after heavy rain.
Before you go
Trail Finder lists no fees for these trails.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Bemis FallsPartial guide: the route is confirmed, but which drop is called Bemis Falls is uncertainCarroll County, NH0.7 miE
Coliseum FallsState park trail; short walk on Bemis Brook TrailCarroll County, NH0.9 miE- Fawn PoolShort state park trail to a signed poolCarroll County, NH0.9 miE
- Ripley FallsShort maintained trail in Crawford Notch State ParkCarroll County, NH1.0 miN
- Middle Nancy CascadesPartial guide: national forest trail; which section is called Middle Nancy Cascades is not confirmed33 ft (10 m) · Carroll County, NH2.2 miS
- Lower Nancy CascadesForest Service trail to the base of a tall cascade82 ft (25 m) · Carroll County, NH2.2 miS
- Upper Nancy CascadesPartial: trail to the cascades documented; which upper level this listing marks is not confirmed16 ft (5 m) · Carroll County, NH2.2 miS
- Thoreau FallsNational forest wilderness trail from a fee trailhead80 ft (24.4 m) · Grafton County, NH4.3 miW
- Flume CascadeRoadside falls in Crawford Notch State ParkCarroll County, NH4.3 miN