Great Falls
New Hampshire • 52 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (4)
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Great Falls
Great Falls, also called Bellows Falls, is a 52-foot drop through a narrow rock gorge on the Connecticut River between North Walpole, New Hampshire, and the village of Bellows Falls, Vermont. A hydroelectric dam and canal divert much of the river, so the falls run fullest during late-winter and spring high water. It is viewed from streets and bridges in the two villages, and there is no hike.
The Setting
Great Falls sits at 236 feet in the coastal lowlands of New Hampshire. The falls drop 52 feet.
Height: 52 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Twin Falls (30 ft) lies 1.5 miles to the southwest. Also nearby: Saxtons River Falls (8 ft, 3.5 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Great Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
What to Expect
The falls drop 52 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Great Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Viewing is from public streets and sidewalks, where dogs should be leashed.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Great Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late winter and spring, when high water spills over the falls instead of going through the canal.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Stay off the steep gorge banks. Dam releases can raise the water quickly, and the riverbank floods regularly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Connecticut River, 0.7 miles away, not on Great Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
2,120 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 84 years of record
6.37 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CONNECTICUT RIVER AT NORTH WALPOLE, NH (1 km away).
Today
Moderate
2120 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
2333 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
2544 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
2451 cfs
5/10Sun
Moderate
2251 cfs
8/10Mon
Moderate
2160 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
2170 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to late May, peaking in April.
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 Bellows Falls hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Great Falls Frozen?
Updated about 10 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Great Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°F to 42°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 2060 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 measures about 87 feet of descent through Great Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 52 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 235 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 76 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 88 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 235 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 87 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Drive to the village of Bellows Falls, Vermont, or North Walpole, New Hampshire, which sit on either side of the gorge. The falls and gorge can be seen from village streets and bridges; the eastern end of Bridge Street in Bellows Falls looks over the gorge near the petroglyph site.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Use public street parking or lots in downtown Bellows Falls and follow posted restrictions.
Elevation
236 feet above sea level
Coordinates
43.135505° N, -72.440348° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Come in late winter or spring, or after heavy rain, to see water over the falls. Binoculars help for spotting the petroglyphs on the Vermont bank below the Vilas Bridge.
Where to Stay
Brook Road Inn
Blue Bear inn
Courtyard Keene Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Keene
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.
Nearby Campground
SURRY MOUNTAIN LAKE BEACH
11 miles away · 3 sites
Overview Surry Mountain Lake Beach is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use facility located on the Ashuelot River in Surry, New Hampshire.Recreation Swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, paddling and fishing are just a few of the favorite activities enjoyed at Surry Mountain Lake Beach. A boat ramp is available for small boats, kayaks and canoes. There are picnic tables and grills located throughout the park, as well as a playground.Facilities Surry Mountain Lake Beach has restrooms with flush toil
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Bellows Falls, New Hampshire
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Lebanon Spring
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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Bellows Falls, New Hampshire on SoakingSprings.
Explore New Hampshire springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Bellows Falls Petroglyph Site, on the Vermont bank just downstream of the Vilas Bridge, has carved faces listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic Bellows Falls Canal and village downtown are next to the gorge.
Wildlife
Look for herons, ducks and gulls along the river.
Cities near Great Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Great Falls
12 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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