Pros & cons
PROS
- Dramatic glacial basin viewed from the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge
- Easy to pair with the scenic, well-marked Flume Gorge loop
CONS
- Seasonal, ticketed access with reservations recommended
- Crowded at peak summer and foliage times; lots of stairs
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.
Where it is
44.1043, -71.6780Tips for The Pool
- 01Reserve Flume Gorge tickets in advance—walk‑up entry isn’t guaranteed.
- 02Use the visitor center restrooms before starting; there are none at The Pool.
- 03Wear shoes with good grip; rocks and boardwalks can be slick.
- 04Arrive early or later in the day to avoid peak crowds.
- 05Budget ~1.5 hours for the loop so you can linger at the bridge overlook.
Amenities
Near The Pool
All places →All trails →
0 mi awaySentinel Pine Covered BridgeStorybook span over The Pool on the Flume Gorge loopScenic Viewpoint · Restroom
0.3 mi awayFlume Trail Covered BridgeClassic 1886 bridge and prime photo stop on the Flume loopParking · Restroom
0.4 mi awayAvalanche FallsFlume Gorge’s thundering 45‑foot finale on a mossy granite stageTrailhead · Parking
0.5 mi awayFlume Gorge TrailGranite gorge loop with boardwalks, waterfalls, and classic bridges.Moderate · 2 mi · 1.5 hr
0.5 mi awayLiberty GorgeShort, photogenic cascade along the Flume Gorge loopScenic Viewpoint
0.6 mi awayFlume Slide TrailSteep, slick slabs to big Franconia Ridge views—ascend, don’t descend.Challenging · 8.9 mi · 7.5 hr
1.1 mi awayBasin-Cascades TrailWaterfall ramble from The Basin to Kinsman and Rocky Glen.Moderate · 2.6 mi · 1.8 hr
1.1 mi awayCascade Brook TrailShort, splashy loop of waterfalls and slick granite in the NotchModerate · 2.9 mi · 1.8 hr
