Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Giant Falls — Waterfalls 15.8 Miles W of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Shelburne Quadrangle · GNIS 871933
Catalogued on the USGS Shelburne quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire, Giant Falls — a waterfall — lies 15.8 miles west of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871933, Giant Falls is recorded as a waterfall on the USGS Shelburne quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/007). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Giant Falls sits at 44.43228° N, 71.10758° W (DMS 44°25′56″ N, 71°06′27″ 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 Giant Falls itself. The ones closest to Giant Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dryad Falls | Shelburne | 1.6 mi |
| Peboamauk Fall | Mount Crescent | 7.9 mi |
| Triple Falls | Carter Dome | 8.5 mi |
| Coosauk Fall | Mount Washington | 9.4 mi |
| Hitchcock Falls | Mount Washington | 9.5 mi |
| Glen Ellis Falls | Stairs Mountain | 14.8 mi |
| Upper Falls | Mount Dartmouth | 19.5 mi |
| Lower Falls | Mount Dartmouth | 21.9 mi |
| Ellingwood Falls | Errol | 30.5 mi |
| Beaver Brook Falls | Lovering Mountain | 37.9 mi |
Features on the USGS Shelburne Quadrangle
The Shelburne 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 47 catalogued natural features alongside Giant Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bald Cap Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Wocket Ledge | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Middle Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Dream Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Page Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1 mi |
| First Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Bald Cap | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Leadmine Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| Peabody Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Dryad Falls | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 1.6 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 27-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Giant Falls — 15.8 miles west as the crow flies, on compass bearing W.
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 44.432°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 15.8 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Giant Falls track the nearby Bald Cap Peak summit (0.6 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Giant Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bald Cap Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Wocket Ledge | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Middle Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Dream Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Page Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Giant Falls located?
Giant Falls is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 15.8 miles west of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Shelburne topographic quadrangle.
How far is Giant Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 27 minutes, 15.8 miles west (bearing W) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Giant Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Giant Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871933 on the Shelburne quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Giant 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.