Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Just off the Kancamagus Highway, Sabbaday Falls is a small series of waterfalls that is easy to visit while exploring the White Mountains of New Hampshire. One of the best waterfalls in New Hampshire, the substantial stairs, platforms, and viewing bridge make Sabbaday Falls an easy waterfall to explore. This is also a very popular stop along this scenic drive and is likely to be crowded, especially during the summer months and in early October when the fall foliage peaks.
We visited most recently during one of the busiest fall foliage weekends and the parking lot and short hike were packed. If you want a more natural hiking experience, try to visit really early in the day or on a weekday.
Looking for other waterfalls in the White Mountains?
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Overview of Visiting Sabbaday Falls Hike
Distance: 0.7 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Difficulty: Easy - Wheelchair Accessible
It’s almost a mistake to call this a hike, as it is really a short walk along a river to a small series of waterfalls known as the Sabbaday Waterfalls Observation Site. The waterfalls have a drop of about 45 feet and you can walk up wooden stairs and across a sturdy bridge to get great views of the falls. The trail itself is is wide and flat and very easy to walk and you can access the river in many different places.
While the trail to Sabbaday Falls is an out and back walk, the very end is a small loop, so you can visit the bottom of the falls, walk up the wooden steps and return back down the main trail. While you can get a good view of the lower falls from the rocks at the base on the waterfall, the best views are from the viewing platforms and wooden walkways.
There is also an old homestead at the base of the trail with signage describing the history of the falls and the region. You can also find several benches and some picnic tables, making this a wonderful stop if you are driving along the Kancamagus and want to stretch your legs.
Sabbaday Falls NH Directions
Sabbaday Falls is located directly on the Kancamagus Highway and is in a well marked parking lot. The Sabbaday parking lot is marked correctly on google maps. There are several other interested hikes and viewpoints nearby.
The parking lot for Sabbaday Falls is often full, but there is space to park along the road. Make sure to follow road signs and respect no parking areas. There is a small $5 fee to park in the lot that can be paid directly in the parking lot.
The trail leaves directly from the parking lot.
What is the History of Sabbaday Waterfall?
So how did Sabbaday Falls get its name? Many years ago, road workers were said to hide their tools near the waterfalls between working seasons. After hiding the tools on a Sunday morning, they named the waterfalls for the Sabbath Day – which was shortened to Sabbaday.
You can read more about the geological history of Sabbaday Falls here.
Common Questions about Visiting Sabbaday
Below are some common questions about visiting Sabbaday Falls.
Can you Swim at Sabbaday Falls?
There is no swimming at Sabbaday Falls and there are several signs reminding people not to swim.
Are Dogs Allowed at Sabbaday Falls?
Dogs are allowed at Sabbaday Falls, but must be leashed. We saw plenty of dogs on our most recent visit.
Our Recent Visit to Sabbaday Falls We visited Sabbaday Falls on the second weekend in October when the leaves were just reaching peak foliage in NH. Besides being completely crowded, we enjoyed our visit to the falls and spent about 30 minutes parking, walking, and taking in the waterfalls. Even though it was crowded, with a little patience,we were able to snap some great photos without a ton of people in the shot.
