The Pool

Overview

The Pool is a deep, nearly circular basin in the Pemigewasset River that you admire from the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge on the Flume Gorge loop. It’s a showstopper section of the 2‑mile, in‑season, ticketed walk that starts at the Flume Gorge Visitor Center.

What You’ll See

• A basin about 40 feet deep and 150 feet across, ringed by roughly 130‑foot granite walls.
• A small cascade feeding in at the head, with the covered bridge offering the best overlook.
• You’ll reach it shortly after Liberty Gorge on the loop.

How It Formed

About 14,000 years ago, sediment‑charged glacial meltwater scoured this pocket into the valley’s Conway Granite—part of the same Ice Age story that shaped nearby features like the Flume and The Basin.

Getting There & Access

Start at the Flume Gorge Visitor Center in Lincoln and follow the signed loop; expect moderate grades and many stairs. The Pool is inside the paid Flume Gorge attraction. In season, there are flush restrooms at the visitor center, but none at The Pool itself. Parking is at the visitor center.

Season & Tickets

The Flume operates seasonally (typically May–October). Advance online reservations are strongly recommended; walk‑up entry isn’t guaranteed. Off‑season the boardwalk is removed and the gorge area is closed to hikers.

Can You Swim Here?

No. Don’t plan to swim or wade at The Pool or anywhere in the gorge; currents and conditions are hazardous. For a designated swim, head to Echo Lake Beach elsewhere in the park.

Best Time to Visit

Aim for early morning or late afternoon to sidestep the heaviest crowds of summer and foliage season. Plan about 1.5 hours for the full loop, longer if you linger at overlooks like the Sentinel Pine Bridge.