Lost River Gorge is enjoyed by explorers of all ages who appreciate hiking, adventure, and nature.

The 1-mile long boardwalk trail can be moderately strenuous for some visitors and is not recommended for people suffering from heart conditions, knee or back issues, or other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to walk and climb stairs. There is no halfway point as the boardwalk trail makes a loop.

Most guests spend an average of 1.5-2 hours exploring the Gorge and boulder caves.  The self-guided walk includes over 1,000 stairs and is 1-mile long. Be sure to take in the views from the Valley Viewpoint and Giant Bird Nest Overlook, browse around the gift shop, and pan for gemstones at the Lost River Gorge Mining Company sluice.

Your general admission ticket provides access to the 1-mile-long wooden boardwalk trail through the Gorge which winds its way along the Lost River and up through the wooded Forest Adventure Trail.  Along the hike, you will explore jagged rock walls, gigantic boulders, rock-strewn glacial boulder caves, cascading waterfalls, forest treehouse, suspension bridge, and giant bird nest. Panning for gemstones at the Lost River Mining Company sluice is an optional add-on to your admission fee.

Advance online reservations are highly recommended, as in-person ticket sales are not guaranteed. Capacity is reduced by hour and by day to enhance the visitor experience. Certain time blocks or days may sell out.

Bring your confirmation email, or name under which the tickets were purchased, with you to the ticket counter inside the main building. Staff will greet you, check you in, and direct you on how to access the self-guided boardwalk trail.

The following facilities are located on the property – gift shop with snacks and drinks plus nature, science, and souvenir-oriented merchandise; restrooms; picnic tables under the sheltered picnic pavilion and out in the open on the deck; a small gemstone mining sluice located at the main entrance under cover and an uncovered large mining sluice located on the main grounds.

We are a seasonal attraction operating from early-May to mid-October.  May + June and September + October are our less busy months.  Most visitors choose to explore on weekends and during holiday periods, while weekdays tend to be quieter.  The summer months of July and August are the busiest of the season; Sundays are almost always quieter than Saturdays except for long holiday weekends. The first two hours of ticket sales are less busy than mid-day ticket sales; if you would like to encounter fewer people on a quieter hike, plan to visit early or later in the day.

Lost River Gorge is open rain or shine; however, we will temporarily suspend ticket sales due to heavy rain or thunder and lightning.   In the event of a downpour or thunderstorm, rain checks will be issued.  Many guests enjoy their hike in the light rain because of the rushing river, pop-up waterfalls, and brilliant green mosses and ferns.  Lost River Gorge does not operate when conditions are icy or there has been significant snowfall.

Trained service dogs meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act standards are the only animals allowed in the park.  While we love animals, due the nature of our attraction, we cannot permit pets of any kind or size.  We do not have a kennel for visiting pets.

If you are traveling with your pet, please make accommodations for your pet prior to your visit.  There is a doggy daycare, One Dog Day, located a few miles from our attraction in North Woodstock.  Visit their website and call ahead to make reservations.

Sturdy close toed footwear meant for walking or hiking, such as sneakers or hiking boots, and layered outdoor clothing that fits the current weather conditions are strongly recommended. Temperatures in Kinsman Notch are typically about 10°F cooler than in town. Click here for current weather conditions along Route 112 in Kinsman Notch.

Strollers are not permitted along the wooden boardwalk trail.  The boardwalk is about 1-mile long with over 1,000 stairs and includes natural and man-made obstacles.  Front facing infant carriers and backpack child carriers are permitted on the boardwalk trail, but not in the boulder caves.

The main grounds, visitor center and gift shop are accessible, but there are gravel paths leading to these areas which may be a challenge for some wheelchairs. The Gorge and boardwalk trail are not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches or mobility impaired visitors due to uneven natural terrain, boulder caves, and stairways.

All of our boulder caves may be bypassed.  If you are worried about not fitting, or are claustrophobic, you can choose to go around each cave and meet your party at the cave exit.  The Lemon Squeezer, the cave with the tightest fit at 16 inches wide, requires you to shimmy through a wooden gauge before entering the cave itself. 

The use of drones by the general public for photography, videography, or other use at Lost River Gorge is prohibited. This prohibition on drone operations or use applies to any drones launched or operated from Lost River Gorge private property, but for safety and the visitor’s desire for undisturbed recreation we also request that drones legally launched from adjacent properties also not be flown over Lost River Gorge private property.

Permission for commercial drone use must be obtained by contacting info@lostrivergorge.com.

Any violation of this policy may be prosecuted and may subject violators to damages including but not limited to, damages for violations of privacy, physical or personal injuries and regulatory fines and legal fees.

There is no additional charge for parking.  Recreational vehicles and busses are asked to park in the designated paved roadside lot and may not drive over the bridge into the main gravel lot.  Overnight parking/camping is not permitted as our parking lots are gated every night.

Lost River Gorge accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.  No personal checks. There is not an ATM on-site at Lost River Gorge; ATMs are available in the towns of Lincoln and North Woodstock about 10 minutes away.

The White Mountains region is one of New England’s most popular and scenic destinations.  The area is home to the highest mountain in the northeast United States, Mount Washington, which stands at 6,288 feet.  Visitors travel to the White Mountains to experience iconic attractions, endless recreation, tax-free shopping, and quaint villages.

As a four season destination, the White Mountains boasts spectacular fall foliage, spring wildflowers, and an abundance of summer and winter activities.  The White Mountains Trail, a National Scenic Byway, is a 100 mile driving loop that allows easy access to walkable main streets and points of interest.  Other highlights of the area include the Kancamagus Highway which has been designated as one of the most scenic drives in the United States as well as Franconia Notch State Park, Crawford Notch State Park, and Pinkham Notch.

Contact a friendly Information Specialist at the White Mountains Visitor Center for help planning your next vacation!