Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Thoreau Falls — Waterfalls 37.7 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle · GNIS 872805
37.7 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Crawford Notch topographic quadrangle, Thoreau Falls is a waterfall recorded in Grafton County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Crawford Notch 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places Thoreau Falls in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009), classified as a waterfall in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 872805). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Thoreau Falls sits at 44.16812° N, 71.47591° W (DMS 44°10′05″ N, 71°28′33″ 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 Thoreau Falls itself. The ones closest to Thoreau Falls:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Zealand Falls | Crawford Notch | 2.2 mi |
| Arethusa Falls | Crawford Notch | 4.7 mi |
| Nancy Cascades | Mount Carrigain | 5.9 mi |
| Thirteen Falls | South Twin Mountain | 5.9 mi |
| Hawthorne Falls | South Twin Mountain | 6.5 mi |
| Franconia Falls | Mount Osceola | 6.7 mi |
| Bridalveil Falls | Franconia | 12.3 mi |
| Sabbaday Falls | Mount Tripyramid | 12.6 mi |
| Norway Rapids | Mount Tripyramid | 13.8 mi |
| Fletcher Cascades | Mount Tripyramid | 16.4 mi |
Features on the USGS Crawford Notch Quadrangle
The Crawford Notch 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 41 catalogued natural features alongside Thoreau Falls. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewall Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Zealand Notch | Valleys | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Shoal Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Whitewall Mount | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Jumping Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.7 mi |
| Zealand Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| Zealand Falls | Waterfalls | Grafton County, NH | 2.2 mi |
| Ethan Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 2.4 mi |
| Mount Field | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.9 mi |
| Mount Willey | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.9 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 37.7 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of Thoreau Falls. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 65 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. At this latitude (44.168°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 37.7 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Thoreau Falls track the nearby Whitewall Brook stream (0.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Thoreau Falls
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewall Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Zealand Notch | Valleys | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Shoal Pond | Lakes | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Whitewall Mount | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Jumping Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.7 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Thoreau Falls located?
Thoreau Falls is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 37.7 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Crawford Notch topographic quadrangle.
How far is Thoreau Falls from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 65 minutes, 37.7 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Thoreau Falls?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Thoreau Falls as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872805 on the Crawford Notch quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Thoreau 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.