Exploring Flume Gorge in Lincoln, New Hampshire

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On a recent weekend in New Hampshire, we decided to explore a few state park sites: Lost River Gorge and Caves in and nearby Flume Gorge in Lincoln, inside Franconia Notch State Park.

man and women outside The Flume sign of the Visitor center of the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH

According to the placards along the trail, The Flume Gorge was created over 200 million years ago during the Jurassic Age when the granite in the area was buried by molten rock that broke when cooled. Dark rocks called basalts pushed the granite to form various shapes and valleys. Later, during the Ice Age, the gorge was covered by ice sheets and then filled with glacier debris.

Today, the gorge is 800 feet long and up to 20 feet wide at certain points. There are several other highlights and points of interest throughout the two mile trail that visitors will enjoy. The trail is not strenuous and the boardwalk is well marked and easy to follow, but there are a lot of stairs to get to the top of the gorge. There are benches throughout the trail and a couple of wider platforms between staircases to stop and rest, and look carefully at the moss, flowers, and trees growing in and around the rocks. Make sure to pick up a map when checking in with park rangers. 

posing on the trail at the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH

Travel Tips:

  • Flume Gorge is open from early May through late October, usually from 9am-4pm. Check here for up to date information on hours and admissions fee. Purchase tickets online ahead of time to save money and guarantee admission. The public entrance to the trail is located to the left of the Visitor Center.
  • Plenty of free parking in front of the Visitor Center.
  • Restrooms, a gift shop, a cafe and park rangers available inside the Visitor Center from 9am-4pm each day. Note: there are also bathrooms inside the Boulder Cabin.
  • Wear sturdy sneakers and consider dressing in layers and bringing a raincoat. Strollers are not allowed on the trail.
  • No other dining facilities besides the cafe, on site. Picnicking allowed only near the Visitor Center
  • Plan on 90 minutes to walk the full, two mile trail. See the trail map here and be sure to stay on the designated trail.
  • We recommend following the trail counter clockwise (head right when the trail splits in the beginning) and see the flume first.

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10 Highlights of Exploring Flume Gorge

  1. The Visitor Center: A great spot to get trail maps and other information and recommendations from park rangers, grab a quick bite to eat, use the restrooms, and fill up water bottles. There is also a short film in the auditorium that 
  2. The Great Boulder: A 300 ton boulder at the intersection of the trail, one of the largest in the park. 
  3. The Flume Covered Bridge: Built in 1886, it is one of the oldest covered bridges in New Hampshire, bringing visitors safely over the Pemigewaaset River, which means “rapidly moving” in the Abenaki language.
  4. The Table Rock: Made of Conway granite, the rock is 500 feet long and 75 feet wide and quite slippery! Note: Do not try to sit on the rock.
  5. Boulder Cabin: With exhibits filled with photographs, old maps, and memorabilia of hikers and park rangers from the last century and older. Note: there are restrooms inside the cabin.
standing in front of Glacier Boulder at the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH
  1. The Flume Gorge: Climb steps on man made wooden boardwalks to the top of the 800 foot gorge at the base of Mount Liberty. The surrounding granite can be as tall as 900 feet in some areas! At the top of the flume, peek over the ledge (carefully!) and see the 45 foot waterfall named Avalanche Falls, formed during a 1883 storm that transformed much of the area. 
  2. Liberty Gorge: A beautiful stream of water that flows down the mountain, just off the Ridge Path.
  3. The Pool: From the designated viewing area further down the trail, look down below to the 40 foot deep basin that is often replenished with water flowing down from the surrounding cliffs.  Note: swimming is not allowed in the “pool”.
  4. Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge: Made from the wood of one of the largest, and oldest, sentinel pine trees in New Hampshire. There are also great views of the Pool from the bridge. 
  5. The Wolf Den: Crawl through a one way path through boulders. 

Note: There are a few rain shelters throughout the trail to take cover if the weather turns dangerous while out on the trail.

rain shelter at the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH

For other nearby adventures, check out this map of attractions and this map of hiking spots inside Franconia Notch State Park. And check out our other adventures at nearby Lost River Gorge and Caverns, StoryLand (about an hour away), Concord (about an hour south), and Portsmouth (about two hours away).

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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