Franconia Falls — Waterfalls 44.2 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Mount Osceola Quadrangle · GNIS 871906
Catalogued on the USGS Mount Osceola quadrangle in Grafton County, New Hampshire, Franconia Falls — a waterfall — lies 44.2 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871906, Franconia Falls is recorded as a waterfall on the USGS Mount Osceola quadrangle in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Franconia Falls sits at 44.10562° N, 71.57897° W (DMS 44°06′20″ N, 71°34′44″ 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 Franconia Falls itself. The ones closest to Franconia Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Thirteen Falls | South Twin Mountain | 4.2 mi |
| Hawthorne Falls | South Twin Mountain | 6.3 mi |
| Thoreau Falls | Crawford Notch | 6.7 mi |
| Zealand Falls | Crawford Notch | 7.8 mi |
| Bridalveil Falls | Franconia | 8.1 mi |
| Nancy Cascades | Mount Carrigain | 9.8 mi |
| Arethusa Falls | Crawford Notch | 10 mi |
| Norway Rapids | Mount Tripyramid | 10.5 mi |
| Sabbaday Falls | Mount Tripyramid | 11.9 mi |
| Shell Cascade | Waterville Valley | 12.3 mi |
Features on the USGS Mount Osceola Quadrangle
The Mount Osceola 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 30 catalogued natural features alongside Franconia Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Franconia Branch | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Ice Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Birch Island Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Lincoln Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Cedar Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Black Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| Whaleback Mountain | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.4 mi |
| Potash Knob | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.8 mi |
| Mount Hitchcock | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.9 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 76-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Franconia Falls — 44.2 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 (44.106°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 44.2 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Franconia Falls track the nearby Black Pond lake (0.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Franconia Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Franconia Branch | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Ice Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Birch Island Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.5 mi |
| Lincoln Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.8 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Franconia Falls located?
Franconia Falls is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 44.2 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Mount Osceola topographic quadrangle.
How far is Franconia Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 76 minutes, 44.2 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Franconia Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Franconia Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871906 on the Mount Osceola quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Franconia 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.