New Hampshire Monadnock Region Waterfalls Day Trip

Welciome to New Hampshire Monadnock Region Waterfalls Day Trip

In Southwestern New Hampshire (NH) and named for the 3,165-foot high Mount Monadnock, the state’s Monadnock Region is also home to beautiful waterfalls, most of which you can see with just a short walk or hike in. This blog post highlights three of MassDayTripping’s favorite waterfalls that make exploring the Monadnock Region worth it, especially in spring when these waterfalls are rushing with force.

How to get to New Hampshire Monadnock Region Waterfalls |

We’ll start by visiting Tucker Brook Falls in the Tucker Brook Town Forest located in Milford, NH. I recommend parking at the dirt pull off on Savage Road here for the shortcut hike in.

Next stop is Lower Purgatory Falls in Lyndeborough, NH on Purgatory Road here.

And then we’ll see Gleason Falls in Hillsborough, NH by the stone bridge on Beard Hill Road here.

Each of these locations takes you to the trail marker for the direct, shorest hike in or the exact spot a few steps from each waterfall.

Tucker Brook Falls in Milford, NH

A wide 12-foot cascade that fans out over a series of small rocky ledges, Tucker Brook Falls in the Tucker Brook Town Forest is best seen in spring after snowmelt and/or heavy rains. Start at the Ridge Trail (white blazes) off the Savage Road (“Tucker Brook Trail Parking”) parking area and head into the thick woodlands; you’ll hike over a small wooden footbridge, up over a small boulder (no scrambling) and then, turning left, up a short hill before descending down to the brook.

When continuing along the white blazes at the top of the hill (turning left), you’ll then come to a split where you’ll want to turn right and hike down to the brook where you’ll then follow along to your left until reaching a small gorge. Make your way down into it by navigating small rocks for a direct view of Tucker Brook Falls cascading down in a wide horsetail shape over multiple small rocky ledges.

Though not tall, this waterfall flows strongly in spring and is one of my favorites because it’s so quick (10 minutes) and easy to reach and the forest greens coming to life in spring make Tucker Brook Falls especially picturesque for photography. There are multiple vantage points in the gorge that require only a little navigating across small rocks.

Tucker Brook Falls flowing strong over rocky ledges in spring surrounded by the lush Tucker Brook Town Forest in Milford, New Hampshire.

This area has a network of hiking trails if you want to extend your visit and is great spot for family hikes and walking your dog. It’s also close to Lower Purgatory Falls, another beautiful waterfall with powerful flow you can easily reach.

This 12-foot waterfall gushes forcefully in spring and splits over a massive glacial boulder into a main plunge and horsetail right before dropping into a pool.

There are three waterfalls along the Purgatory Brook in this conversation area, and the lower falls is easiest to reach on only a flat .3 mile hike through woodlands and down into a rocky gorge. Be careful when you reach the gorge because the trail slopes down somewhat steep, and you’ll need to navigate through rocks (no scrambling) to the base of the pool.

The trail is bumpy in sections with large roots and in warmer months, you’ll want bug repellent. Lower Purgatory Falls is popular for walking your dog, and people picnic here too.

Definitely go after spring snow melt and/or after heavy rains in spring or fall when the water flow is heavy.

Lower Pugatory Falls roaring in springtime under a canopy of fresh greens in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire.

Our final waterfall is Gleason Falls in Hillsborough, NH. In spring, it roars under a picturesue stone arch bridge.

Park at the dirt pull off by the coordinates provided above and walk a few steps down to your left for a terrific close-up view of this rushing 10-foot cascade. It splits around a boulder before it flows down into a stream. The flow is really powerful after heavy rains, and the stone bridge provides a great frame for photography.

A Gleason Falls marker is right at the parking area, and getting to a stunning view of the falls is only about .1 mile from here.

There’s a slight decline through the trees where you’ll stand practically next to the stone arch bridge to see the falls running at full strength.

Gleason Falls in Hillsborough, New Hampshire rushing stong under a stone arch bridge in springtime.

From here, you can follow an unmarked woodlands trail about 200 feet downstream to several viewpoints of the falls. There are rocky outcroppings you can sit on for a picnic or just to relax, and this is also a great roadside waterfall stop for spring nature without crowds; this is not a swimming hole as far as I can tell.

In one day or even afternoon, you can easily reach and see three beautiful NH Monadnock Region spring waterfalls: Tucker Brook Falls, Lower Purgatory Falls and Gleason Falls. Each has unique, beautiful features and all typically run strong during spring with snowmelt and rains.

All three have designated parking areas, are suitable for family hikes (or walks) and allow you to bring your dog on leash.

Have you seen any of these waterfalls? What’s a New Hampshire Monadnock Region waterfall I missed?

Leave a comment below to share your experiences and tips.

Note: additional waterfalls will be added to this blog soon.

Lower Purgatory falls rushing down over boulders into a pool in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire.

At this point, you can walk up around to the right to reach the top of the falls as well as hike, if you choose, a more strenous trail to Middle and Upper Purgatory Falls.

For our final Monadnock Region waterfall, we’ll see Gleason Falls; this roadside waterfall is a roaring 10-foot cascade under a stone arch bridge that is literally steps from parking.