Champney Falls Hike
Waterfall | New Hampshire
3.4 mi round trip
Champney Falls Hike at a Glance
The Champney Falls hike via the Champney Brook Trail is 3.4 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,890 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Champney Brook Trail |
| Distance | 3.4 mi round trip |
Your time: about 1 h 10 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 25 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 640 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 3.4 mi distance for this hike is verified (newenglandwaterfalls.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Champney Falls
Champney Falls is a waterfall in New Hampshire, on land managed by White Mountain National Forest (Saco Ranger District).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Champney Brook Trail: 3.4 miles round trip, from Champney Falls Parking Lot (Kancamagus Highway). Distance from newenglandwaterfalls.com.
Before You Go
- A recreation pass is required to park at Kancamagus Scenic Byway trailheads. (fs.usda.gov)
- Dogs are permitted on leash. (hikingproject.com)
- newenglandwaterfalls.com advises visiting after heavy rain or during spring snowmelt, when the falls run strongest. (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check White Mountain National Forest (Saco Ranger District) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Champney Falls?
The Champney Brook Trail to Champney Falls is 3.4 miles round trip.
Where does the Champney Falls hike start?
It starts from Champney Falls Parking Lot (Kancamagus Highway).
Is there a fee to hike to Champney Falls?
A recreation pass is required to park at Kancamagus Scenic Byway trailheads.
Are dogs allowed on the Champney Falls trail?
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Champney Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- newenglandwaterfalls.com
- Distance
- newenglandwaterfalls.com
- Falls location
- worldwaterfalldatabase.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Champney Falls.
Champney Falls Hiking Guides
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