Hiking Basin Cascade Trail: Everything You Need To Know

If you love waterfalls, the Basin Cascade Trail will be one of your favorite hikes in Franconia Notch. The Basin Cascade Trail has one of the most popular waterfalls in New Hampshire, the Basin. Although many people visit the Basin, they overlook the other stunning waterfalls past it.

And let me tell you, the waterfalls along the trail are some of the most beautiful in New Hampshire, so you do not want to skip this hike! The waterfalls along the Basin Cascade Trail are some of my favorites in the state.

Whether you want to hike to one waterfall or all three, you will quickly fall in love with the Basin Cascade Trail. If you want to hike the trail, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Basin Cascade Trail!

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Basin Cascade Trail Overview

Before you plan your hike on the Basin Cascade Trail, here are a few things you should know.

Basin Cascade Trail Length and Difficulty

The Basin Cascade Trail is 2.6 miles round trip, leading to multiple waterfalls. The first part of the trail to the Basin is easy, making it perfect for everyone to enjoy! As the trail continues past the Basin, it becomes a typical New Hampshire hike with roots and rocks.

There is a river crossing before the last waterfall that is difficult to cross in the spring or after a rainstorm, which is something to consider when planning your hike on the Basin Cascade Trail. We visited in the early spring when the snow was melting and had a hard time crossing it. When I visited later in the summer, it was a lot easier to cross.

Basin Cascade Trail Parking

The trailhead for the Basin Cascade Trail is in The Basin parking lot off of I-93. There are two parking lots for the Basin, one on I-93 North and the other on I-93 South. The trails from both parking lots are easy to follow and well-maintained to the Basin.

Because the Basin is a popular area, I recommend arriving early during peak season. The parking lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Is the Basin Cascade Trail Dog Friendly?

Yes, the Basin Cascade Trail is dog-friendly. We brought Meadow on the hike with us, and she loved it! Although the trail has rocks and roots, it never becomes too much for most dogs. Meadow also did great crossing the river since it was not high when we hiked the trail.

Best Time to Hike the Basin Cascade Trail

The Basin Cascade Trail is accessible year-round, allowing you to enjoy it in any season! The best time to visit is in summer and fall when the weather and trail conditions are great.

The waterfalls in the spring have a high volume of water after the snow melts, but the river is high and difficult to cross. Winter is an underrated time to hike the Basin Cascade Trail because there are fewer people, and the frozen waterfalls are beautiful!

What to Pack for the Hike

Although the Basin Cascade Trail is not strenuous, I recommend wearing supportive shoes with good traction and packing layers. Below are a few things I always pack for hikes, no matter how long the trail is.

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay Near the Basin Cascade Trail

If you plan to stay overnight in the area, there are many accommodations in Lincoln and Woodstock. Both towns are great areas to make a base camp for a weekend adventure. We love staying in both!

Basin Cascade Trail Hiking Guide

*Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

The Basin Cascade Trail is among the best hikes in Franconia Notch, especially if you love waterfalls! The trail travels along Cascade Brook past multiple stunning waterfalls. And the best part? You can decide how long you want to hike. Whether you visit all the waterfalls or only the first one, you will love this trail.

The Basin Cascade Trail begins in either parking lot for the Basin on I-93. Since this portion of I-93 does not allow you to cross over to parking lots on the opposite side, there are two parking lots for the Basin, and both work for this trail.

The first part of the trail to the Basin is along a well-maintained path that is perfect for everyone to enjoy. The Basin is the most popular waterfall on the trail because it is easily accessible, so it is likely to have crowds, especially in the summer and fall.

Although it is the shortest waterfall on the Basin Cascade Trail, it does not lack beauty! This beautiful waterfall flows into a pothole created at the end of the Ice Age. The turquoise waterfalls are beautiful, and you will quickly fall in love with this small waterfall!

The section after the Basin becomes a typical New Hampshire trail with rocks and roots. A few trails connect in this area, so you want to follow the trail signs for the Basin Cascade Trail.

When you hike away from the Basin, the trail gradually climbs to the next waterfall. Although the rest of the trail does not flatten out, it is not overly steep.

After a quick 0.2 miles, Kinsman Falls will be on your left along Cascade Brook. The stunning 20-foot waterfall is my favorite along the Basin Cascade Trail, and I am sure it will become one of your favorites as well!

After Kinsman Falls, you will follow the Basin Cascade Trail for another 0.3 miles before it crosses Cascade Brook. In most cases, you can easily rock-hop across the river, but it can be difficult to cross when the water is high.

We tried to cross the river in early spring when the snow was melting and had a difficult time. But when I visited later in the summer, it was easy to cross.

After the river crossing, the trail becomes steeper as it approaches the final waterfall on the hike, Rocky Glen Falls. The view of the 35-foot waterfall is on the cliff across from it, and it is stunning! When there is a high volume of water, Rocky Glen Falls is magnificent.

Although the Basin Cascade Trail continues a bit further before connecting with the Cascade Brook Trail, I recommend turning around at Rocky Glen Falls and heading back the way you came.

If you are looking for a longer hike, you can continue to Lonesome Lake for a 6.5-mile round trip hike. Lonesome Lake is a beautiful lake with breathtaking views of Franconia Ridge, making it the perfect addition if you want a fun day hike.

If you want to hike the Basin Cascade Trail, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! I love hiking this trail because the waterfalls are stunning, so I know you will enjoy the hike. This guide has everything you need to know about the Basin Cascade Trail in New Hampshire.