Lost River Gorge

Type: glacial gorge and boulder-cave attraction, part of the 157-acre Lost River Reservation in Woodstock, Grafton County, New Hampshire, within the White Mountains. Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Located in Kinsman Notch, 5 miles west of North Woodstock village on NH Route 112. "Cave of Lost Souls" documented as early as circa 1908.

Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is a paid walking attraction built around a striking glacial gorge in Kinsman Notch, within the town of Woodstock in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The Lost River, which gives the site its name, disappears underground as it flows through a narrow, steep-walled gorge choked with massive granite boulders, traveling a hidden subterranean course before re-emerging to join the Pemigewasset River. A three-quarter-mile boardwalk leads visitors down through the gorge, past a series of talus caves formed among the fallen granite blocks, many of which can be walked or crawled into, and past Paradise Falls, a waterfall within the gorge. The surrounding 157-acre Lost River Reservation is owned and maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, a conservation nonprofit, and also includes separate free hiking trails outside the leased, fee-based gorge area. The attraction sits about 5 miles west of North Woodstock village along NH Route 112, making it a popular stop for families exploring the White Mountains.

Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves is located at 1712 Lost River Road (NH Route 112 West) in North Woodstock, Grafton County, New Hampshire, within Kinsman Notch between Mount Moosilauke and Kinsman Ridge, at roughly 2,000 feet elevation. It sits about 5 miles west of North Woodstock village.

The site sits at roughly 2,000 feet elevation in the White Mountains, which brings cooler temperatures and a shorter mild season than lower-elevation parts of New Hampshire; specific temperature or precipitation data for this exact site were not included in the sources fetched for this destination.

The gorge operates on a seasonal schedule, roughly May through October, with slightly different hours and days of operation across that window (see timings_opening_hours); visiting in July and August, when the site is open daily with the longest hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), offers the most flexibility, though this is also the busiest period.

The Lost River Reservation's boulder caves have drawn visitors since at least the early 20th century; one of its features, the "Cave of Lost Souls," is documented in historical material dating to around 1908. The reservation covers 157 acres and is owned and maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, a conservation organization, which leases part of the gorge area for the paid, developed visitor attraction while maintaining separate free trails elsewhere on the property.

Visitors walk the roughly three-quarter-mile boardwalk trail down into the gorge, descending a series of stairs, and can climb, walk or crawl into many of the talus boulder caves along the way. The route also passes Paradise Falls, a waterfall within the gorge. A mining sluice activity is also offered on-site, according to the operator's own site navigation, alongside general park information and visitor services.

Notable named features include the "Cave of Lost Souls," Paradise Falls, and the broader network of glacially formed talus caves among the gorge's granite boulders. Separate from the fee-based boardwalk area, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests maintains free hiking trails elsewhere within the 157-acre reservation.

Lost River Gorge is reached via NH Route 112 West (the Kancamagus/Lost River corridor), about 5 miles from North Woodstock village. It is most practically reached by car; sources fetched did not specify on-site parking capacity or public transit options, so visitors should plan on driving.

As of research (current-season schedule), the site operates: May 8-27 and September 1-16, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; May 28-June 30, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., open daily; July 1-August 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., open daily; September 17-October 18, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., open daily. Confirm current-year dates and hours on the official site before visiting, and note that entry is not guaranteed if you miss your booked arrival time.

As of research, admission for ages 4 and up ranged from about $24-25 online in advance to $28-29 at the door, with prices varying by season; children ages 1-3 were free. Capacity is limited by hour and by day, so advance online booking is recommended and arrival-time entry is not guaranteed if missed. Confirm current prices at lostrivergorge.com before visiting.

Most visitors spend roughly 1.5 to 2 hours walking the boardwalk trail, exploring the boulder caves, and viewing Paradise Falls, though pace can vary depending on how many caves are explored.

North Woodstock and neighboring Lincoln, both a short drive east on Route 112, offer a range of motels, inns and condominium resorts serving White Mountains visitors, including those visiting nearby Loon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park; specific property names were not confirmed in sourced material.

North Woodstock and Lincoln have a range of casual restaurants and diners typical of a White Mountains gateway town, a short drive from the gorge; the site itself appears to offer limited on-site food service based on available information, though this was not fully confirmed. No specific restaurant names were verified in sourced material.

Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch State Park are a short drive away via Route 112 and I-93. Mount Moosilauke and Kinsman Ridge flank the notch on either side of the gorge. The towns of North Woodstock and Lincoln, with Loon Mountain Resort, offer additional attractions nearby.

There is no airport or transit stop directly at the gorge; visitors reach the site by car via NH Route 112. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a commonly used regional gateway for the wider White Mountains area, though the exact distance to this specific site was not confirmed in the sources fetched.

The boardwalk includes stairs and can be uneven or slippery near the caves and waterfall, so sturdy footwear with good traction is recommended. Some boulder caves require crawling or stooping through tight spaces, which may not suit visitors with mobility limitations or claustrophobia. Because capacity is limited by timed entry, arrive on time for your booked slot, since entry is not guaranteed otherwise.

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip, a light jacket (the gorge and caves stay cool even in summer), water, and a flashlight or phone light can help when exploring darker cave sections.

Book tickets online in advance given the site's limited, timed-entry capacity, and arrive on time for your reserved slot since late arrival is not guaranteed entry. Because the site is seasonal, check lostrivergorge.com for the current year's operating calendar before planning a visit, especially near the May opening or October closing dates when days of operation are more limited.

For any emergency, dial 911. For general park questions, Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves can be reached at (603) 745-8031 or by email at info@lostrivergorge.com.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves - https://lostrivergorge.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.