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Arethusa Falls — Waterfalls 34.5 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle · GNIS 871402
Catalogued on the USGS Crawford Notch quadrangle in Grafton County, New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls — a waterfall — lies 34.5 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “waterfall in New Hampshire, United States”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871402, Arethusa Falls is recorded as a waterfall on the USGS Crawford Notch quadrangle in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Arethusa Falls sits at 44.14757° N, 71.38535° W (DMS 44°08′51″ N, 71°23′07″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 0.00000° N, 0.00000° W — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other waterfalls in Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County, NH contains 12 waterfalls catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Arethusa Falls itself. The ones closest to Arethusa Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Cascades | Mount Carrigain | 2.1 mi |
| Thoreau Falls | Crawford Notch | 4.7 mi |
| Zealand Falls | Crawford Notch | 6.2 mi |
| Franconia Falls | Mount Osceola | 10 mi |
| Thirteen Falls | South Twin Mountain | 10.5 mi |
| Sabbaday Falls | Mount Tripyramid | 10.6 mi |
| Hawthorne Falls | South Twin Mountain | 11.2 mi |
| Norway Rapids | Mount Tripyramid | 13.3 mi |
| Fletcher Cascades | Mount Tripyramid | 15.8 mi |
| Shell Cascade | Waterville Valley | 16.8 mi |
Features on the USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle
The Crawford Notch 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 41 catalogued natural features alongside Arethusa Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripley Falls | Waterfalls | Carroll County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Crawford Notch | Valleys | Carroll County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| Mount Bemis | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Avalanche Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Webster Brook | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 1.7 mi |
| Kedron Brook | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 2 mi |
| Ethan Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 3 mi |
| Mount Willey | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 3 mi |
| Mount Webster | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.3 mi |
| Willey Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 3.6 mi |
Historical record
Arethusa Falls is a waterfall in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. The waterfall occurs when the headwaters of Bemis Brook tumble over a granite cliff on the western slope of Crawford Notch. Arethusa holds the distinction of being the tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire; some high-angle cascades surpass it in height, such as the Mahoosuc Range's seasonal Dryad Falls. Extended history on Wikipedia →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 59-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Arethusa Falls — 34.5 miles west-southwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing WSW.
Best time to visit
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry. At this latitude (44.148°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 34.5 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Arethusa Falls track the nearby Ripley Falls waterfall (1.1 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Arethusa Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripley Falls | Waterfalls | Carroll County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Frankenstein Cliff | Cliffs | Carroll County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Sleeper Brook | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Bemis Brook | Streams | Carroll County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Dry River | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Arethusa Falls located?
Arethusa Falls is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 34.5 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Crawford Notch topographic quadrangle.
How far is Arethusa Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 59 minutes, 34.5 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Arethusa Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Arethusa Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871402 on the Crawford Notch quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Arethusa Falls?
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry.
How many other waterfalls are in Grafton County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 11 other waterfalls in Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q37916.