Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Elephant Head — Pillars 33.3 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Carroll County, New Hampshire · USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle · GNIS 871853
One of only 15 pillars catalogued within the 80 km reach of Chapman Inn, Elephant Head lies on the USGS Crawford Notch quadrangle in Carroll County, New Hampshire — 33.3 miles west-southwest of the Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Carroll County, New Hampshire, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Elephant Head as a rock pillar on the Crawford Notch topographic quadrangle (FIPS 33/003), under Feature ID 871853. Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Elephant Head sits at 44.21145° N, 71.40480° W (DMS 44°12′41″ N, 71°24′17″ W).
Features on the USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle
The Crawford Notch 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 41 catalogued natural features alongside Elephant Head. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flume Cascade | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Elephant Head Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Silver Cascade | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Saco Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Mount Willard | Summits | Carroll County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Gibbs Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Willey Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Ammonoosuc Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1 mi |
| Mount Avalon | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Mount Webster | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Among the 15 pillars catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Elephant Head ranks #9 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 40%).
- This is one of only 15 pillars catalogued within Chapman Inn’s 80 km reach — a rare classification in the local landscape.
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing WSW out of Bethel for 33.3 miles (west-southwest) and you reach Elephant Head; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 57 minutes.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. At this latitude (44.211°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 33.3 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Elephant Head track the nearby Flume Cascade stream (0.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Elephant Head
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flume Cascade | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Elephant Head Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Silver Cascade | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Saco Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Mount Willard | Summits | Carroll County, NH | 0.6 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elephant Head located?
Elephant Head is in Carroll County, New Hampshire, approximately 33.3 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Crawford Notch topographic quadrangle.
How far is Elephant Head from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 57 minutes, 33.3 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Elephant Head?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Elephant Head as a rock pillar, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871853 on the Crawford Notch quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Elephant Head?
Accessible May through November in most years.
How rare is pillars as a classification near Chapman Inn?
Only 15 pillars are catalogued within the 80 km radius of the Inn — a comparatively rare classification.