- Crystal Cascades
Crystal Cascades is a 0.7 mile out and back hike via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The waterfall has a 90 foot vertical drop. There is a very large parking lot, but it does get full during peak hours because this is a very popular trail. Max enjoyed swimming in the river just before the falls. The trail is uphill on the way to the waterfall, but there is not too much elevation gain and is easy.
2. Glen Ellis Falls
There is a large parking lot for this popular waterfall with only a short walk to get to it. This 0.5 mile out and back trail provides a thin path along the river followed by a series of stairs down to the viewing deck for the waterfall.
3. Jackson Falls
The most difficult part about visiting Jackson Falls is there is very limited parking. There are only a few spots in a small lot just off the side of the road. The rest of the surrounding area had No Parking signs along the road, making it very difficult to find parking if the tiny lot is full. I managed to find a trailhead just around the corner and over the bridge where I parked and walked down to the falls. These falls are a very popular spot for swimming and we encountered a crowd of families and other dogs. It seems this is a popular swimming hole, where people bring chairs and coolers and camp out for the whole day.
4. Yellowjacket XTC Trail
This is a 3 mile loop in Campton where you will encounter a waterfall that pours into a natural swimming hole. Located at this waterfall/swimming hole combo is also a rope swing. This is a very crowded and popular trail in the area in the summertime. I had read on All Trails that there was also a swimming hole located across the street from the trailhead at the Pemi River. I ventured over there and followed the mountain bike trail through the woods and along the river but never found a swimming hole. There is access to the river from the mountain bike trail, but I would not call it family friendly and the rocks were very slippery in the river, making it difficult to wade in and swim. I will say, it was very quiet and I was able to let Max off leash to run around and explore as there was nobody around.
5. The Basin
The Basin is an extremely busy and popular trail in Franconia Notch. It is famous for its deep pools and cascading waters that carve into rock. The path here is easy and paved. It is a short walk from the parking lot to The Basin. Swimming, for the most part, is not allowed at The Basin as the rapid waters can be dangerous.
6. Kinsman Falls
If you hike the entire Basin Cascade trail it will take you up a steep trail to Kinsman Waterfall. The trail is absolutely covered in large tree routes, making it tricky to navigate. There is a steep incline all the way to the waterfall. Once at the waterfall. you can climb down to sit on the rocks in front of the deep pool that the waterfall flows into. You can catch people going for a swim in this waterfall pool in the summer. Kinsman Falls is significantly less crowded than its lower Basin. Max had fun swimming and exploring the rocks at the waterfall.
