Hike-in Required
No
ADA accessible
Yes
Guided tours
No
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The Basin is one of the most popular stops in Franconia Notch State Park, with several beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear water, and plenty of places to stop for a snack. Visitors will begin their visit to the iconic waterfall either from above or below, depending which direction you were traveling on I-93. Either way, be sure to explore the river above and below the Basin, as several small and unique cascades make this place shine.

Located along the upper reaches of the Pemigewasset River, the Basin is a large granite pothole between 20 and 30 feet in diameter. It is believed the initial pothole was formed by melting water from retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age. In the thousands of years since, sand and small stones have scoured the sides of the pothole, expanding and polishing it to its current state. The depth of the pothole is estimated at 15 feet. 

Various trails to and around the Basin spiderweb their way along the banks of the Pemigewasset River, with a handful of picnic tables and informational placards along the way. The east side of the river is paralleled by the Franconia Notch Recreation Path, popular among bicyclists, and wheelchair accessible. The wheelchair overlook is well designed, with a low wall that doesn't obscure the bird's-eye view of the the Basin.

The west side of the river meanders through the woods over a crushed-gravel path, revealing several other small pools and cascades as well as access to some of the hiking trails like the Basin Cascade Trail and the Pemi Trail. From the river's west side visitors can reach a small overlook area perched along the edge of the pothole. It feels as if the bedrock is rising up to engulf you. Also visible is a ridge of rock below the pothole known as the Old Man's Foot.

Take note of which direction you came from; the recreation path extends a few miles in either direction from the Basin.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Beautiful waterfall. Wheelchair accessible. Short walk.

Cons

Crowded. No swimming allowed.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Wildflowers
Geologically significant
Waterfalls
ADA accessible

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

10/03/2015
A pretty popular destination, the occasional crowds tend to turn me away easily. I photographed this scene of the Old Man's Foot in the Basin where the Pemigewassett River sculpted amazing formations on a chilly, damp morning with hardly a soul in sight.
07/10/2018
Hi Lisa,
Are you familiar with this site?
https://www.traillink.com/activity/wheelchair-accessible-trails/
You can filter by state.
07/09/2018
hi, is there any other place in the mountains that is wheelchair accessible ? Thank you for what is available but would love more.
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