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
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A slight chance of rain showers between 9am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
More Pictures:
Champney Falls Winter
Max DesMarais is the founder of Hiking & Fishing. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor 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. You can read more about him here: hikingandfishing/about