Being in New Hampshire during the winter can feel like being on a different planet, but that’s just the reality of living in a place with its fair share of cold and snow. Outside of the cold months, there’s still plenty to see that will astound you. With so much beauty, it’s worth making a list to make sure you hit everything once things get warmer. When you do, be sure to put this beauty on it!
One of the most beautiful and awe inspiring natural attractions in the state is The Basin, a 25,000 year-old formation found in Franconia Notch State Park.
riverap1 / Flickr
As beautiful as it is, how it formed is even more attention grabbing. When the Ice Age ended, the giant glacier responsible for forming Franconia Notch began to melt. As it disappeared the granite beneath it eroded.
James T / TripAdvisor
The exposed rock was now available to be shaped by the elements. Rocks, dirt and sediment was moved by the river and created deep chasms in the exposed rock.
nhunt / Flickr
This formed the natural basin with smooth walls that we see today!
alan48 / Flickr
The area is beautiful both because of these smooth rocks, but also due to the stone formation known as “Old Man’s Foot” which is visible at the bottom of the basin. Nature is the best!
devonroamer / TripAdvisor
We’re not the only folks who love the beauty of this area. In 1839 author Henry David Thoreau wrote that “this pothole is perhaps the most remarkable curiosity of its kind in New England.” While “pothole” isn’t the first word we’d use to describe The Basin, it’s not completely incorrect!
jps246 / Flickr
The best part of The Basin is that it’s fairly accessible for those who’d like to see it.
Traveling without regrets / TripAdvisor
From Franconia Notch State Park parking lot, head to the paved path. Note that the paving makes it accessible for those in wheelchairs and walkers as well.
Sue B / TripAdvisor
Spend some time here if you can. It’s fun to imagine what the area must have looked like just after the ice age when it was being formed.
Sue B / TripAdvisor And, if you’d like to make a hike out of the visit, you can keep going further heading upstream to see other waterfalls.
The Basin can be accessed via a 2.5 mile hike To learn more about the route, check out alltrails.com.
riverap1 / Flickr
James T / TripAdvisor
nhunt / Flickr
alan48 / Flickr
devonroamer / TripAdvisor
jps246 / Flickr
Traveling without regrets / TripAdvisor
Sue B / TripAdvisor
And, if you’d like to make a hike out of the visit, you can keep going further heading upstream to see other waterfalls.
And to add to your list of must-see nature here, check out this list of 11 of the most incredible natural attractions in New Hampshire that everyone should visit.
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Address: Franconia Notch, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
