Zealand Falls
Grafton County, New Hampshire
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Grafton County, New Hampshire
- Access status
- Route and parking documented; confirm current conditions.
- The walk
- 2.8 miles one way to the hut; approximately 5.6 miles return, plus the short falls approach
- Ground & access
- AMC rates the approach easy and gives 600 feet of gain; this remains a backcountry hike.

The Appalachian Mountain Club documents the trailhead, hut approach, and nearby falls.
Plan your visit
From Zealand Trailhead parking at the southern end of Zealand Road, follow Zealand Trail to Zealand Falls Hut. AMC places the falls a few yards from the hut. Return by the same route.
AMC gives 2.8 miles from the trailhead to the hut; the falls are a few yards away. Winter road walking adds distance.
AMC rates the approach easy and gives 600 feet of gain; this remains a backcountry hike.
Where to start
Use Zealand Trailhead parking at the end of Zealand Road. AMC says the road normally closes mid-November to mid-May; then use the lot across US 302, 0.2 mile east of Zealand Road, with an additional 3-mile approach to the trailhead.
Timing & water
Winter road closure changes the start and adds a 3-mile approach each way. Confirm conditions with AMC before travelling.
Before you go
AMC recommends reservations for an overnight hut stay. Day-hiking parking fees are unverified.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Thoreau FallsNational forest wilderness trail from a fee trailhead80 ft (24.4 m) · Grafton County, NH2.1 miSE
- Flume CascadeRoadside falls in Crawford Notch State ParkCarroll County, NH4.6 miE
- Gibbs FallsNational forest trail from a fee trailheadCoos County, NH4.8 miE
- Lower Ammonoosuc FallsShort walk on an old road to a swimming holeCoos County, NH5.2 miN
- Thirteen FallsLincoln Woods approach closed June–November 2026; alternative approach and parking unverified.Grafton County, NH5.5 miSW
- Ripley FallsShort maintained trail in Crawford Notch State ParkCarroll County, NH5.5 miSE
- Middle FallsPartial: short unsigned path with no official trailCoos County, NH6.0 miNE
Arethusa FallsMaintained state park trail to a tall waterfall138 ft (42 m) · Carroll County, NH6.1 miSE- Upper FallsNational forest roadside falls; dangerous potholesCoos County, NH6.2 miNE