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
Clear, with a low around 19. West wind around 0 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Friday Night
Clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of rain showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
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, backcountry skier, 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 climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about