Champney Falls is a gorgeous waterfall located in the White Mountains of NH. It is easily accessed off of Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. It is perfect for all hiking levels, and accessible in all season. The falls are often combined with a trip up Mount Chocorua.
Distance: 2.8 miles (4.51 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2-3 hours
Directions to Champney Falls
The trailhead is easily recognizable with a parking lot and sign off of Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway.
From Route 16, follow route 12 for 14 miles. The trailhead will be on your left with a noticeable parking lot. From I-93 you will have to travel across most of the Kanc to make your way to the trailhead. There is a parking fee of $5, like all other trailheads in the Whites.
Champney Falls Trail
The trail to Champney falls is 1.4 miles of very gradual elevation gain. This trail is great in all four seasons, for all age levels, and all hiking levels. Walking along Champney brook makes the entirety of the short hike very pleasing. Keep in mind that this is a popular trail, the parking lot can fill, and many people may be on the trail in peak months.
Once you reach the base of the falls, you can turn left to get a better view of all of the falls and the very cool rock formations created in the small gorge. You can also continue up nicely made steps to the upper falls which contains a pool of water, and cascading falls.
Hikes Nearby
Mount Chocorua can be accessed from this trailhead or others.
The Champney Falls trail offers gorgeous views as you walk past Champney Falls to Chocorua. Round trip around 8.4 miles with about 2,300 feet of elevation gain. It is accessed from the Kancamagus highway. It is only shortly after the Rocky Gorge Scenic area coming from Route 16. There is a good sized parking lot at the trailhead.
Love waterfalls? Check out Arethusa and Ripley falls in Crawford Notch!
Weather Forecast
Bartlett, NH
Overnight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday
Rain likely between 1pm and 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Partly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 38 in the afternoon. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain and snow before 1am, then scattered rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
A slight chance of snow showers before 7am, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. North wind around 0 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers before 10pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
Rain and snow showers likely before 5pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
Rain and snow showers likely before 7pm, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
More Pictures:
Champney Falls Winter
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued his frequent adventures in the mountains, always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about