Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Dryad Falls — Waterfalls 14.5 Miles W of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Shelburne Quadrangle · GNIS 871806
14.5 miles west of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Shelburne topographic quadrangle, Dryad Falls is a waterfall recorded in Coos County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Shelburne 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places Dryad Falls in Coos County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/007), classified as a waterfall in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 871806). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Dryad Falls sits at 44.44228° N, 71.07758° W (DMS 44°26′32″ N, 71°04′39″ 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 Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 12 waterfalls catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Dryad Falls itself. The ones closest to Dryad Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Falls | Shelburne | 1.6 mi |
| Peboamauk Fall | Mount Crescent | 9.5 mi |
| Triple Falls | Carter Dome | 10.1 mi |
| Coosauk Fall | Mount Washington | 11 mi |
| Hitchcock Falls | Mount Washington | 11.1 mi |
| Glen Ellis Falls | Stairs Mountain | 16.2 mi |
| Upper Falls | Mount Dartmouth | 21.1 mi |
| Lower Falls | Mount Dartmouth | 23.5 mi |
| Ellingwood Falls | Errol | 29.9 mi |
| Beaver Brook Falls | Lovering Mountain | 38 mi |
Features on the USGS Shelburne Quadrangle
The Shelburne 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 47 catalogued natural features alongside Dryad Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryad Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Upper Gentian Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Gentian Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Dream Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Bald Cap Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Middle Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Bald Cap | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Mount Ingalls | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| First Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| Mount Crag | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 14.5 miles west (bearing W) of Dryad Falls. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 25 minutes — comfortably inside a half-day outing window after breakfast.
Best time to visit
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry. Being this far north (lat 44.442°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 14.5 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Dryad Falls track the nearby Dryad Brook stream (0.5 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Dryad Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryad Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Upper Gentian Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Gentian Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Dream Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Bald Cap Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dryad Falls located?
Dryad Falls is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 14.5 miles west of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Shelburne topographic quadrangle.
How far is Dryad Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 25 minutes, 14.5 miles west (bearing W) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Dryad Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Dryad Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871806 on the Shelburne quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Dryad Falls?
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry.
How many other waterfalls are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 11 other waterfalls in Coos County, New Hampshire.