Visiting The Flume Gorge In New Hampshire For The First Time

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Hiker walking across a wooden bridge to a wooden covered bridge with red paneling on the front and a triangular shaped roof and yellow leaves in trees behind in the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire

The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park is one of our favorite places to visit in New Hampshire. It’s a moderately difficult 2-mile loop with 500 feet elevation gain through a picturesque forest and a striking narrow gorge with cascading waterfalls. We’ve hiked the super-scenic trail twice and our cameras got a real work out both times. Overall, we think it’s a place you really shouldn’t miss if you’ll be visiting the area.

In this guide we show you everything you need to know about visiting the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire, based on our experiences.

Our Experience

Two hikers stood together in front of a low fence with far reaching views behind
Here we are at the highest point on the trail near Avalanche Falls

We’d pegged Flume Gorge as one of the few places we simply had to visit during our first New England fall road trip in 2020. And it turned out to be even better than we expected. It was rainy, grey and cool but the fall foliage colors were in peak and they really stood out. Also, the gorge wasn’t too busy because it was during the covid lockdown year, so we were able to get lots of people-free photos.

We’re travel photographers, so we couldn’t miss the chance for a second visit to the attractive gorge during our second New England fall road trip in 2023. It was warm, sunny and clear but it was also much busier this time. The two wooden covered bridges are our favorite parts of the walk around Flume Gorge, so don’t forget to take plenty of photos with them when you visit. Read more about us.

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Trail Details

A narrow canyon river with wooden boardwalk built into the side
Wooden boardwalks and steps will take you through the narrow gorge
  • Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
  • Elevation gain: 500 ft
  • Type: One-way loop
  • Time: 1.5-2 hours
  • Dogs: Not permitted

We personally think the Flume Gorge hike is on the easier side of moderate in difficulty. There are some relatively steep sloping sections that are sure to raise your BPM and get those calf muscles burning, but overall it’s really not too challenging. Your kids will be fine, but this hike is not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs.

The 800-foot long gorge section has 100-foot tall walls and is just 12-feet apart at its narrowest point. During this section you’ll have to walk on wooden boardwalk and up dozens of steps. Otherwise, the rest of the hike is on dirt and gravel tracks through forest.

Flume Gorge Entry Fees

Two small wooden kiosks at the beginning of the hike into Flume Gorge NH
These are the 2 entrance kiosks to access the trail

Entry to the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire is not free. Adults and children aged 6 or above must pay to enter, but you can save money by booking online in advance.

Here are ticket prices if you pay at the window on the day:

  • Adults (13+): $21
  • Children (6-12): $19
  • Ages 5 and under: Free

Here are ticket prices if you book online in advance:

  • Adults (13+): $18
  • Children (6-12): $16
  • Ages 5 and under: Free

Head over to the official site to book in advance, select a date, number of tickets and then choose a specific time slot. The closer you get to the date you want to visit, the fewer tickets will be available within each time slot, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible.

If you arrive on the day without pre-booking tickets, you can simply walk up to one of the two entry kiosks and pay the higher fees. This will give you more flexibility and it’s only $3 more per person. However, the major downside to this option is that there might not be any tickets left for any given time slot. So if you’re planning to visit on a public holiday, during peak summer weekends or during peak fall foliage, we strongly recommend you book in advance.

Trailhead Parking

Mostly empty large parking area with a few cars encircled by trees
There are lots of parking spaces so you shouldn’t have issues getting parked

The Flume Gorge is located along Daniel Webster Highway in Franconia Notch State Park near Lincoln, New Hampshire. There are certain turnoffs to attractions along the highway that you can only access if you’re traveling northbound or southbound, but you can access the Flume Gorge no matter which direction you’re arriving from.

You’ll pull into a huge parking area with multiple sections, which includes lots of disabled parking spaces closer to the Flume Gorge Visitor Center. Both our visits were during the fall foliage season and we never had any issues getting parked here. If we visited on a holiday weekend we might arrive early just in case the lots filled up by 10.00am.

  • Here’s the maps location for parking, which you can open and click directions.

What You Need To Know

Tourist in boots, coat and backpack walking a wooden bridge to a building
Here’s Kristen walking to the visitor center

Here are the most important things you need to know about your visit to the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire:

  • The trail is open daily from 9.00am-4.00pm.
  • There are restrooms inside the visitor center and at the beginning/end of the hike.
  • The hike is a one-way route that you must adhere to.
  • There’s an on site restaurant in the visitor center serving hot meals.
  • You enter the trail through two small kiosks outside the visitor center.
  • Refunds will not be given due to bad weather.
  • You must enter the trail within your one hour time slot.

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Walkthrough: Our Flume Gorge Hike

Okay let’s walk through our Flume Gorge hike so you know exactly what to expect on the trail:

1. Great Boulder

Hiker in thick shirt and wool hat stood in front of a large boulder surrounded by trees
This is Kristen with the great boulder
Looking down a steep slope inside a forest to a wooden bridge completely surrounded by vibrant fall foliage leaves
Here’s the view overlooking Flume Covered Bridge near the start of the hike

We entered the trail through a kiosk and followed a gravel packed trail into forest until we reached a massive 300-ton boulder. This is where the loop began and ended, so we took a right turn and knew we’d finish the loop back here from the opposite path. And far below us we could see a covered bridge with red panels surrounded by trees.

2. Flume Covered Bridge

Wooden boardwalk leading to a wooden covered bridge in Flume Gorge NH with red front panels crossing a river and surrounded by fall foliage colors
Our first glimpse of the bridge
Wooden pedestrian walkway leading to an old wooden covered bridge with red fronted panels and backed by yellow leaves on the Flume Gorge hike in New Hampshire
And our front on view of the postcard-worthy Flume Covered Bridge

After descending deeper into the forest on gravel switchbacks, we arrived at the stunning Flume Covered Bridge. For us, it’s the best photo spot on the trail so make sure you spend a bit of time waiting for a gap in the crowds. The first time we visited it was clear, but the second time it was near impossible to get a photo of it without other people. Patience is key!

3. Boulder Cabin

Hiker walking up a road towards a white building in the forest
Here’s Kristen walking up to the Boulder Cabin

The trail gradually gained elevation for a short time until we soon reached the Boulder Cabin. It wasn’t open on our first visit, but it was the second time so we had a quick look around the exhibits and information boards before pressing on with our uphill climb.

4. Table Rock

Flat and smooth table like rock with light water running below tree branches
The flat and smooth table rock with very little water flowing
Brook with water cascading down through a forest with a wooden bridge crossing in the distance
Small wooden bridge crossing Flume Brook

The large and smooth Table Rock had shallow water gently cascading down both times we visited because the water volume is always lower in fall. It wasn’t far from the cabin, but the increased incline kickstarted our lungs and thighs into action. A little further uphill we found a small but ornate wooden bridge crossing a narrow section of the Flume Brook, which was a lovely photo.

5. The Flume Gorge

Tourist in boots and thick shirt with wooly hat standing on a wooden boardwalk cutting through a narrow gorge with water flowing down
Here’s Kristen walking through the gorge
Wooden boardwalk leading to steps built into the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire with a wispy waterfall off to the side
This is the narrowest and most striking section of the hike
Hiker on a boardwalk inside the narrow Flume Gorge NH with moss clad walls and a waterfall
Here’s Kristen walking next to moss-clad walls

Next came the show-stopper. It was very obvious when we arrived at the Flume Gorge because wooden boardwalks became the only way to advance. The boardwalks were elevated above the rushing brook below, and they crossed from left to right to left throughout the narrowest parts of the gorge. We climbed the steps and stopped for lots of photos inside the gorge.

6. Avalanche Falls

Tourist standing on a wooden bridge crossing a brook and waterfall
This is the lower portion of Avalanche Falls
Multi-tiered wispy waterfall cascading gently over rock ledges
And this is the main flow of Avalanche Falls at the top of the boardwalk trail

At the very top of the boardwalk steps we eventually came across Avalanche Falls, which was a small but photogenic multi-tiered waterfall. We grabbed a few quick photos here, left the boardwalks and then took a short spur trail which led to a viewpoint overlooking the White Mountains through a small gap in the trees. This was the highest point on the trail.

7. Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge

Wooden covered bridge passing between rocky cliffs in a forest on the Flume Gorge hike in New Hampshire
We took this photo on the approach down to Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge
Wooden covered bridge between cliffs elevated above a waterfall and deep pool of water
Here’s Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge elevated high above The Pool

We slowly descended on the Ridge Path, stopped at overlooks and reached Liberty Gorge. To the left was a great view over The Pool and to the right was a nice view of Cascade Brook. Next, we continued switchbacking down to Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge and crossed over The Pool, looking down at the deep expanse below.

8. Glacial Boulders

Large moss clad boulders on the side of a gravel trail in a forest with green leaves
These are the glacial boulders you’ll see last on the trail

We took a quick walk through the Wolf Den (which the kids will enjoy) and then it was a case of finishing off the loop. The only other thing of note on the way back to the visitor center was a collection of moss-clad glacial boulders.

Best Time To Visit Flume Gorge NH

Wooden covered bridge surrounded entirely by trees with green leaves
Here’s Kristen on Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge around one week before peak fall foliage colors

The factors you should consider when visiting the Flume Gorge are fall foliage colors, water levels and crowds. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Spring – Higher water levels and fewer crowds but not as attractive.
  • Summer – Emerald green foliage but average water levels and busy.
  • Fall – Stunning foliage colors but low water levels and busy.
  • Winter – Open and extremely quiet but boardwalks are closed so you’d need snowshoes.

Both our visits were in fall but we had very different experiences. The first time it was very wet, overcast and dreary, whereas the second time it was warm, clear and sunny. It’s important to know that the weather in New Hampshire is changeable during the typical peak fall foliage season, so plan for all types of weather.

The Morgan Conclusion

Two hikers stood together on a wooden bridge next to Flume Gorge covered bridge surrounded by green leaves in New Hampshire
Here we are at our favorite part of the Flume Gorge hike

What we like: First and foremost, the Flume Gorge is incredibly photogenic. That’s why we’ve visited twice. But it’s also an easy enough and short enough trail that it doesn’t take up too much time or effort. Plus, the parking situation is great. Finally we also like that the gorge is sandwiched between Artists Bluff hike and Kancamagus Highway scenic drive. As a three, we think they’re some of the best things to do on a New Hampshire road trip.

What we don’t like: For starters, we think $18 if you book in advance or $21 if you buy tickets on the day is too steep. Considering that some US national parks have $20 entry, we think the prices could be more affordable for Flume Gorge. Also, the food in the canteen wasn’t great and it was overpriced. We’d take a packed lunch next time.

Is the Flume Gorge worth it? Yes, the Flume Gorge in New Hampshire is definitely worth visiting. It could be more affordable, but the hike is relaxing, scenic and enjoyable. The two covered bridges and various waterfalls are incredibly attractive, so don’t forget your camera. If our closest friends or family took a road trip through New England, we’d tell them to visit Flume Gorge.

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We hope this Flume Gorge visitor guide helps with planning your trip to New Hampshire!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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4 thoughts on “Visiting The Flume Gorge In New Hampshire For The First Time”

  1. Is there any kind of bus tour offered through this scenic highway so mu hubby could enjoy it and not drive.I’m currently planning a trip from Boston to Vermont New Hampshire and end up back in Boston next fall so trying to coordinate our trip

    Reply
    • Hi Jeri, glad to hear you are planning a fall foliage trip to VT and NH next year. There are no bus tours through Flume Gorge, it is a short hiking route only. However, if you are referring to the nearby Kancamagus Highway, there are a handful of options for taking a bus tour. Here’s a resource you can use to learn more about bus tours. Have a great trip!

      Reply
  2. hi! thanks love this article.
    we r going to Lincoln Oct. 5th, and want to do 4 things. but we already bought the Hobbo Railroad for 1pm. We came that day from Stowe to Lincoln. To do first the Artist’s Bluff, then de Flume Gorge, then the Hobbo at 1pm and then the Cannon Tramway. Any suggestions?
    Greetings from Puerto Rico!

    Reply
    • Hi Arlyn! Thanks for getting in touch and it sounds like you have quite the action packed day planned in New Hampshire! You can do all 4 things in one day but we would suggest getting an early start if possible. Here’s how we would do it: Wake up before sunrise in Stowe, drive down to Artists Bluff Trailhead (read our guide to see the best place to park for a shorter hike), and summit not long after sunrise before the crowds arrive. Next, make your way over to Flume Gorge right in time for opening at 9am. Book your tickets in advance to make sure you select the 9am slot (tickets are limited) and you will save $3 per person by booking in advance. Once you’ve hiked the loop, continue down to Lincoln and grab lunch in town (the Common Man is a great place to eat). Jump on the Hobo Railroad at 1pm, which lasts 80 minutes and then you have the rest of the afternoon to relax on the Cannon Mountain Tramway. Your alternative without an early start would be to do Flume Gorge first and then hike Artists Bluff last in time for sunset instead. Hope that helps and have a great trip!

      Reply

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