Welton Falls, Alexandria, NH

Great Swimming Holes in New Hampshire

Welton Falls,
Alexandria, NH

Welton Downstream                Cards of Image                  Wayne D. King

Hidden away from the crowds is the swimming hole known as Welton Falls.

Here you will find quiet spots to sit and enjoy the scenery as well as some very challenging cliffs for jumping and diving.

Keep the diving to the lower cliffs as the water is not very deep.

Please be aware that this spot can be dangerous because of steep cliffs and slippery rock faces.

Scorecard
Cleanliness 4, Purity 5, Kid Factor 3, Beauty 5

Directions: There are two ways to get to Welton Falls each involves a hike but one hike is a bit longer than the other.

From Cardigan Lodge: Rte 3 to the south end of Newfound Lake, West past Shacketts store and continue straight toward Alexandria when the road forks. Follow the signs to Cardigan Lodge. At the lodge you will see a trail sign to Welton Falls on the south side of the lodge. This trail is about 3/4 of a mile long but is well worth the hike with some interesting biological and geological sites along the way.From Welton Falls Rd.

Rte 3 to the south end of Newfound Lake, West past Shacketts store and continue straight toward Alexandria when the road forks. Follow the signs to Cardigan Lodge until you see Welton Fall road on your right. Folllow this road about 1 mile and you will see a very old town road on the left hand side just before a hill. There is parking slightly down this road. Follow the road on foot for about 1/4 mile and watch for the well worn trail diverging off to the left. This trail goes up the Fowler River for about 1/2 mile and you will come to the falls. Map

Fawn Near Welton Falls                                          Cards                                            Wayne D. King

Indian Leap - Agassiz Basin

Great Swimming Holes in New Hampshire

With the exception of Welton Falls in Alexandria, Indian Leap (aka Agassiz Basin) is more of an adrenaline rush than any leap we've discovered yet.

At about 50 feet, the largest of the cliffs at this Woodstock swimming hole provides a heart thumping opportunity to leap into the abyss.

Also known as Agassiz Basin after the legendary Harvard professor and scientist Louis Agassiz, this is one swimming hole not to be missed.

While there are several cliffs for jumping and diving there are also many nice pools for just plain swimming and wading and from Indian Leap downriver there are more spots to explore. During the hottest part of the summer you'll find a fair number of people enjoying this spot but in early and late summer as well as on days that are a bit less pleasant, it's quite likely you'll have it to yourself.

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Scorecard
Cleanliness 4; Purity 5; Kid Factor 5; Beauty 5

Directions: Rte 112 from Woodstock approximately 3 miles. Watch for three parking areas on the left after passing the Lost River Campground. Indian Leap is adjacent to a seasonal restaurant Giovanni's and parking space is shared with them. Parking in the lot closest to the swimming area is closed after 4pm so you must park down a bit further.