Flume Gorge

Pros & cons

PROS

Show-stopping 800-foot granite gorge with waterfalls and boardwalks
Full-service visitor center with exhibits, short film, food, and restrooms

CONS

Extremely popular; timed-entry tickets can sell out
Lots of stairs and wet boardwalks make the loop feel strenuous

Overview

Flume Gorge is the park’s headliner: an 800‑foot natural chasm at the base of Mount Liberty with Conway granite walls soaring 70–90 feet and narrowing to 12–20 feet apart. Boardwalks thread above Flume Brook so you’re right in the spray, with waterfalls thundering below and mossy rock walls close enough to touch.

Highlights on the Loop

Avalanche Falls crashing at the head of the gorge.
The 1866 covered bridge and the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge farther along.
The Pool, a 150‑foot round, 40‑foot‑deep basin ringed by 130‑foot cliffs.
Wolf’s Den, a fun boulder squeeze (skip it if tight spaces aren’t your thing).
A glacial boulder garden and scenic brookside stretches that keep the 2‑mile loop varied.

Geology and Backstory

Conway granite formed here during the Jurassic. Later, vertical cracks filled with basalt; because basalt erodes faster, water and frost pried the gorge open over time. A June 1883 storm helped carve Avalanche Falls and dislodged a once‑famous hanging boulder. The site was “discovered” in 1808 by 93‑year‑old Jess “Aunt” Guernsey, and boardwalks were eventually added so visitors could safely explore.

Visiting Logistics (2025)

Season: May 9–October 26, 2025. Trail hours May 9–Oct 13 are 9 am–5 pm (last entry 5 pm); Oct 14–Oct 26 are 9 am–4 pm (last entry 4 pm). The Gilman Visitor Center operates daily in season.
Route: Expect the full 2‑mile loop (about 1.5 hours) with moderate uphill and many stairs; the Short Trail/Rim Path is closed.
Tickets: Timed‑entry reservations are strongly recommended; walk‑up entry isn’t guaranteed and slots can sell out.
Services: Restrooms, gift shop, food court, exhibits, and a short film are at the visitor center.
Policies: Pets aren’t allowed in the gorge (dog‑walk areas are in the parking lots). Drone takeoffs/landings aren’t permitted in NH State Parks. Off‑season, the gorge is closed (boardwalks removed) and comfort stations aren’t available.

Best Time to Visit

Go early or late, and especially on weekdays, to sidestep the mid‑day crush. Spring runoff can make the waterfalls more dramatic; late season brings cooler temps and earlier last entry times. Wear grippy footwear—boardwalks and stairs stay damp—and bring a light layer for the mist.