Silver Cascade

Silver Cascade is a tall mix of plunges and cascades that hop and skip from left to right down the southwestern side of Mount Jackson, one of New Hampshire’s 48 4,000-footers. The falls continue under US-302, eventually converging with the Saco River below the highway.

Due to the ease of access, this waterfall has dazzled millions of tourists over the years, making it one of the most popular waterfalls in New England. You will understand why once you see the slender ribbon of water tumbling over ledges and through chasm walls. The falls is particularly beautiful during spring runoff and foliage season, and is heavily visited and photographed as a result.

If you were like most of the visitors to this waterfall, you would take a quick look from the road, snap two pictures, and walk back to your car. You can venture beyond the roadside views by clambering your way up and getting closer to the falls. If you do, you will find some unexpected privacy. Many of the greatest photographs of this waterfall have been taken from such intimate spots.

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Directions

Silver Cascade is situated roadside along Route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park, about a mile south of Crawford House at the summit of Crawford Notch (known as Gates of the Notch). Large pullouts are offered on either side of the bridge below the falls, and easy scrambling on the bare rock to the right of the stream offers access to the immediate base of the falls.