An Easy Hike In New Hampshire's White Mountains Leads To An Epic Natural Water Slide

Water moves in all different way through Franconia Falls, New Hampshire. It washes over smooth rocks, tumbles over boulders, and pools in fissures. The geology is dynamic and multi-tiered, located right near the confluence of Franconia Brook and the Pemigewasset River. The flow is usually safe and gentle, inviting visitors to wade in (though sightseers should still exercise caution). The best part is also all-natural: a chute formed out of rock that has become one of the most beloved natural water slides in the U.S.

The chute isn't very long, and the mountain water will make your teeth chatter, but visitors find themselves riding the current again and again, thanks to a smooth surface and a waterfall that ejects them into a deep pool. On warm days, this segment can get crowded with hikers, who take turns hurtling down this sedimentary Slip 'N Slide. You'll almost certainly have to drive to the trailhead, and there is a daily $5 recreation fee per vehicle, but otherwise, Franconia Falls is free to frequent as long as you can handle the roughly 7-mile out-and-back hike.

These kinds of waterslides, which seem perfectly formed out of stone and water, are a rare treat for outdoorspeople who like to get soaked in the woods. There are the natural waterslides of Pennsylvania's Ohiopyle State Park, for example, and a few others scattered among U.S. public lands, but they're few and far between. So, when thrill-seekers discover a location like Franconia Falls, it becomes a coveted favorite. 

The Lincoln Woods Trail is just one of many paths that wind their way through White Mountain National Forest, a stunning section of New Hampshire's White Mountains near Franconia Notch State Park. Many people come here to attempt the many local summits that make up Franconia Ridge. These trails can be challenging, owing to rocky, worn-down paths and substantial heights. Nearby Mt. Lafayette stands 5,260 feet above sea level, only about 1,400 feet shorter than the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. Visitors must come prepared, especially in the colder months or against roving showers. It isn't quite as harrowing as New Hampshire's dangerous Mount Washington hike, but you'll definitely get a workout.

That said, Lincoln Woods Trail is comparatively flat and uncomplicated. While 7 miles is a fair distance and requires some planning, almost anyone in decent physical shape can make their way to Franconia Falls and back in about two-and-a-half hours. You'll want to budget extra time, of course, so you can splash in the water or enjoy a picnic on one of those epic rocks. Some free-spirits jump into the water in their hiking clothes, though you'd be wise to bring a swimsuit and other water-friendly gear.

The ease of this trail makes it ideal for families with young children, as well as trail runners and pet owners with leashed dogs. No one will brave the waterslide in the colder months, but a beautiful crust often freezes over the waterways, and snow powders the mountain views. Clip into some bindings, and this becomes one of the area's best cross-country ski routes.

Franconia Notch covers a sizable 6,440 acres, which mostly consist of woods and mountains. This destination is easy to reach, as Interstate 93 cuts right through the middle of the park. The entrance has massive parking lots, and the area boasts several campgrounds, plus dozens of hotels that cost under $100 per night. If you decide to take on one of the mountains, the park has two huts, Greenleaf Hut and Lonesome Lake Hut, which have long been operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club and strike a happy balance between rustic and luxurious.

Franconia Notch is filled with activities, including an aerial tramway up Cannon Mountain and top-ranked lakeside state park adventures, but visitors may confuse Franconia Falls with Franconia's Flume Gorge. Note that these are two very different locations; Franconia Falls is basically free to visit and allows you to play in the shallow waters. The Flume Gorge stands at the foot of Mt. Liberty, where granite rock faces rise around 80 feet tall on either side of the Pemigewasset River. The scenery is far more dramatic, with mossy stone and powerful falls crashing into the lower reaches. These are waters you're intended to admire from the wooden walkways and staircases, not interact with directly. The Flume Gorge also charges visitors ($18 in advance for 13 years and up, $21 at the entrance). Both locations are well worth a visit, as are all the other sylvan attractions in Franconia Notch. But if you're in it for the water-sliding, there's only one place to seek it out. Just remember to bring a towel!