Are there fees or permits required for Garfield Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Garfield Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Garfield Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Garfield Falls.

Nearby gauge (Diamond River) · 144 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Garfield Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Garfield Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Garfield Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed.

New Hampshire • 40 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Garfield Falls, see below

Connecticut Lakes Headwaters FORE · UNK

Photo Credits (5)

John Hayes (gravelboy) CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Garfield Falls

Garfield Falls is a 40-foot waterfall on the East Branch of the Dead Diamond River in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, dropping into a narrow gorge with smaller cascades below. It is in the state-owned Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest, reached by long gravel logging roads and a short, steep walk down to the river.

The Setting

Garfield Falls sits at 1,844 feet within Connecticut Lakes Headwaters, in the hills of New Hampshire. The falls drop 40 feet.

Height: 40 feet

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail is about 0.3 miles each way (0.6 miles round trip) from the trailhead down to the river. The first part is fairly flat; near the falls it crosses roots and steep log steps, and the final descent to the base is steep.

What to Expect

The falls drop 40 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Garfield Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Garfield Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Garfield Falls is in late spring or early summer when water flow is at its peak. Fall is also a great time to visit for stunning foliage views.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Exercise caution near the falls as the rocks can be slippery. The area is remote, so ensure you have adequate supplies and let someone know your plans.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Diamond River, 11.2 miles away, not on Garfield Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

144 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

129 170 427 663

Based on 85 years of record

2.55 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Diamond River near Wentworth Location, NH

USGS 01052500

11.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 152 sq mi

Altitude: 1,259 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Diamond River near Wentworth Location, NH (18 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

144 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Low

150 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

149 cfs

5/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

137 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

140 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

137 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

133 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

140 cfs

5/10

Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 5/10).

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 Garfield Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen 1 day in a row below freezing

Garfield Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 30°F to 22°F.

Days below freezing: 1 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 1 day
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 164 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.

The bare-earth surface loses about 55 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 40 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,848 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 44 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 46 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southeast, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Garfield Falls near Beecher Falls, New Hampshire, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Garfield Falls near Beecher Falls, New Hampshire, showing about 55 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,848 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 55 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From US Route 3 north of Pittsburg village, turn right onto Magalloway Road. After about 9.6 miles take a sharp right to stay on Magalloway Road, then after 1 mile continue straight where it becomes Garfield Falls Road. The trailhead is 1.3 miles farther. These are rough gravel logging roads with potholes; drive slowly and trust your odometer.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Free parking at the trailhead, which has restrooms and a New Hampshire state information kiosk.

Elevation

1,844 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.035326° N, -71.113407° W

Land Management

Connecticut Lakes Headwaters FORE

Managed by OTHS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail can be muddy or slippery, especially after rain. Bring bug spray during the summer months. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly.