LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Ellingwood Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Ellingwood Falls is on Dartmouth College land. Vehicle access is restricted to Dartmouth affiliates; the public may enter only on foot or by bike from the Route 16 gate, and camping and fires are not allowed.
About Ellingwood Falls
Ellingwood Falls is a whitewater drop on the Swift Diamond River in the Second College Grant, a township owned and managed by Dartmouth College in northern New Hampshire. Paddlers know it as a Class IV rapid just upstream of the Larry's Brook Road bridge. There is no hiking trail to it, and the public can reach the Grant only on foot or by bike past locked gates.
The Setting
Ellingwood Falls sits at 1,427 feet within Second College Grant, in the foothills of New Hampshire.
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
A powerful rapid and drop in a remote, forested river valley that is actively logged. Expect gravel roads, no facilities and no cell service.
Accessibility
Accessibility information is not available. The trail may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ellingwood Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Ellingwood Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit, as water flow is likely to be at its peak due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
This is a Class IV rapid; stay off wet rock near the water, especially at high flow. The area is remote, so tell someone your plans.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Diamond River, 3.5 miles away, not on Ellingwood Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
384 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 85 years of record
3.36 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Diamond River near Wentworth Location, NH (6 km away).
Today
Strong
318 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
345 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
334 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
326 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
320 cfs
6/10Mon
Strong
312 cfs
10/10Tue
Strong
287 cfs
10/10Best window: Mon — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early June, peaking in May.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Beecher Falls hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Ellingwood Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Ellingwood Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 43°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 292 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in New Hampshire.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 33 feet through Ellingwood Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,437 feet.
The ground changes about 23 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 39 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,437 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 33 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The public entrance to the Second College Grant is the Dead Diamond Road gate, about 0.2 miles in from Route 16 near the Wentworth Location cemetery, with limited parking. Vehicles beyond the gate are limited to Dartmouth-affiliated visitors; others must walk or bike several miles of gravel road to reach the Swift Diamond near the Larry's Brook Road bridge.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Limited parking at the public gate on Dead Diamond Road off Route 16 in Wentworth Location.
Elevation
1,427 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.873383° N, -71.128687° W
Land Management
Managed by UNK Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Plan for a long walk or bike ride on gravel roads, carry a map, and bring everything you need. Overnight camping and open fires are prohibited for the public.
Where to Stay
Ladd Pond Cabins and Campground, LLC
La Maison Bleue du Lac Wallace
Spa Nature Estrie
Deer Mountain Lodge & Wilderness Resort
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Diamond Peaks Trail and the Dead Diamond River are also in the Second College Grant.
Wildlife
The area may feature typical New Hampshire wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and forest species.
Nearby Waterfalls
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