Last Updated on August 21, 2026 by PorchLightReading
Explore the Lost River Gorge, NH, through this helpful family travel guide. Complete with photos, what to expect, tips, and things to do nearby!
Any time we get to explore New Hampshire as a family is truly as special memory. As a military family of four, we’ve spent over 15 years away from where we’ve grown up and being able to bring our children home every once in a while gives us a sense of nostalgia and joy!
So exploring the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves wasn’t new for my husband or myself, but it was a new adventure for our children who had no idea what they were getting into. The sense of adventure around every corner with boulders, caves, boardwalks, waterfalls, and something they call the “lemon squeezer.”
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- Table of contents: Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves, NH
- A brief history of how it was discovered
- Photo gallery and what to expect
- Lost River Gorge NH tickets and hours
- Helpful tips for visiting the Lost River Gorge
- Frequently asked questions
- Other things to do nearby
Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves, NH
For weeks we talked about how cool the Lost River was but trying to explain it to our kids just wasn’t doing it justice. Unfortunately, like many military families, we don’t get to travel back home very often. So when we finally get the opportunity we become tourists in our home towns, showing our children around with enthusiasm!
A Brief History of Lost River Gorge
Imagine fishing over 150 years ago. You and your friend grab your polls and head off into the woods for a relaxing day by the river. Hoping to catch a fish or two and enjoying nature that was completely untouched. When suddenly your friend goes missing!
In 1885 two brothers were fishing in the area when suddenly one of them fell through a moss covered opening and landed in a waist deep pool of water 15 feet down in a cave!
The brothers went on to explore more caves in the area and in 1912 the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests purchased the Lost River to help protect it from loggers.
What To Expect At Lost River Gorge NH
This isn’t a flat, paved walking path. This family attraction involves a lot of stairs both down into the gorge and back up out of it. There are boardwalks, caves, overlooks, and uneven terrain.
You’ll start your journey at the visitors center where you can purchase tickets, look around the gift shop, and use the restroom before you head down into the gorge.
Once you start the loop it is a one way walk around the attraction, so make sure everyone is comfortable with clothing, shoes, and the restroom.
The Boardwalk
The main route of the adventure includes approximately one mile of wooden boardwalk, that includes 1000 stairs, through the gorge and forest.
For that reason you need to make sure you and your family are up for this journey with no knee, back, or heart problems.
The stairs going down into the gorge start off pretty steep but they do have several levels and benches for you to be able to take your time along the way.
Once you get to the bottom of the gorge you see just how beautiful this place really is! And how much time and effort was put into each boardwalk for us to be able to enjoy it as easily as possible.
The Boulder Caves
You’ll find the first cave at the bottom of the gorge over to the right of the walkway. I suppose it’s more of an overhang but this is a good indication as to what kind of adventure awaits when it comes to squeezing around rocks that might be a little damp.
The boardwalk makes its ways up through the gorge with different caves along the route.
What The Caves Are Like
The caves are formed by the large boulders that fill the gorge. Some are wide enough to walk through comfortably, while other involve getting low, squeezing between rocks, or climbing.
Maps Along The Route
What we really loved about the route was that outside each cave is a map that shows you what to expect. What the cave looks like inside, how narrow it becomes, and where you are in your journey.
It’s also important to note that you can enjoy this entire experience without having to go into a single cave! The boardwalk allows you to skip any and all caves you wish, making it more friendly to those who are not interested in crawling or climbing and anyone who may be claustrophobic.
Lost River Gorge Tickets and Hours
The Lost River Gorge, NH, is located at 1712 Lost River Road in North Woodstock. This is a seasonal attraction and generally operated from spring through the fall. Be sure to check their official website for the most up to date information about hours, price, weather closures and more. Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves website.
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- Lost River Gorge- Tickets and hours
- Seasonal attraction from spring through fall
- Park opens at 9am with the last admission being between 3:30-5:00pm depending on the month.
- Tickets are between $24-$29 depending on the season and how the tickets were purchases
- Ages 3 and under are free
- Be sure to check their official website for the most up to date information including hours of operation, days open, and ticket prices.
Helpful Tips For Visiting Lost River Gorge
There are a few things you should know before visiting Lost River Gorge in New Hampshire. But the first thing you should think about is whether or not this type of adventure is right for your family.
- Helpful tips for visiting
- Buy your tickets online ahead of time. It can get busy during the summer and on the weekends, but buying ahead of time will help you skip the wait.
- Wear shoes with good traction and bring light layers
- Take it slow. Some of these caves can be a little scary to kids since it can be dark. Let them set the pace and maybe skip the extra dark ones.
- Plan for extra time. You might need a little more time than you think to enjoy all that they have to offer. Plan approximately 2 hours for this adventure.
- Check the weather. Although they are mostly open rain or shine (except for temporary closuring due to storms in the area) you might want to skip the extra rainy days so you can really enjoy the trails and boardwalks without become soaked or rushing.
What To Wear
Let’s start off strong here and say that you need sturdy closed toed shoes! Sneakers with good grip or hiking boots are a must for all of these stairs, caves, and rocks that could be a little slick.
It’s also important to remember that the temperature can be up to 10 degrees cooler down in the gorge and caves, so dressing in layers will help you stay more comfortable.
- What to wear
- Closed toed shoes- Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots
- Dress with layers and remember it can be much cooler down in the gorge.
- Wear clothes your ok to get a little dirty if you plan on exploring the caves
- Bonus- Headlamp for the kids
- Keep in the car
- Extra pair of clothes. Kids can get dirty, you might want an extra pair of clothes just in case. That way you can still enjoy a picnic lunch, restaurant, or another attraction nearby in clean clothes.
- Light jacket or rain coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The combination of boardwalks, caves, waterfalls, bridges and forest trails make this an extra fun outdoor family attraction. However, you know your kids limitations best. There are some areas you might feel uncomfortable with little kids running ahead or squeezing through, and some caves have a recommended age. For that reason I’d personally say that this area is better suited for a bit older kids, but you can always skip the caves and enjoy the boardwalk through the gorge.
For this one mile loop activity you can expect gravel paths, steeps steps leading into the gorge, and more steps gradually leading back up. However, there are places to rest, take your time, and enjoy the view. If stairs bother you then going down into the gorge might be a little too much.
Some can feel dark, tight, and challenging. While others are a bit easier. You can skip any caves that make you feel uncomfortable, and remember they have a sign in front of each cave entrance that tells you what to expect when it comes to space and climbing.
Advance reservations is highly recommended because admission is limited by time and day and some time periods may sell out.
Other Things To Do Nearby
After you’ve finished exploring the area your crew might be pretty hungry! (We did just climb, crawl and walk through a gorge the last 2 hours). Since we are a picnic family I always recommend bringing snacks and picnic lunches with you, and this beautiful spot does have a picnic area for you to enjoy.
They also have a gazebo right in the parking lot where we actually enjoyed our picnic. It was shaded, cozy, and the perfect spot for a turkey sandwich with some kettle chips.
- Things to do nearby
- Enjoy a picnic at the shelter pavilion.
- Picnic lunch at Beaver Pond that’s just up the road from Lost River. (overlook, parking lot, picnic table)
- Grab lunch in the charming town of North Woodstock
- The Common Man, Black Mountain Burger Company, Basecamp Brewing Co, The Mood Cafe and Bakery, ect.
- Take the family to Clark’s Bears!
- Whale’s Tale Waterpark
- Granite State Railway- 1 hour train ride through the White Mountains
- Visit Franconia Notch State Park
- Flume Gorge- This is another boardwalk and gorge attraction and is also very beautiful! It does have an entry fee per person. But if you’re trying to see it all in a long weekend, you might enjoy this stop.
- Walk The Basin- Naturally carved be the Pemigewasset River, this quick stop is perfect to see a bit more in the area and it’s free!
The Basin
Since we traveled over an hour to be here, we wanted to enjoy as much as we could in the White Mountains! After our family adventure at the Lost River, we made our way through the small town of North Woodstock and up to The Basin.
The Basin is located just another 15 minutes north and since it’s free, it gives us another easy fun spot to enjoy nature and some interesting carved waterfalls! Park in the free lot and follow the paved path right to The Basin.
If you’re feeling up for more of an adventure you can also go see the Little Flume. It’s a separate trail that goes to the left, but it’s clearly marked and easy to see. We followed the trail about 0.25 miles down to view the Little Flume before heading back to the car and taking a scenic drive through Franconia Notch, then turning around and heading back home to the South.
Final Thoughts
We don’t always get enjoy these beautiful New England adventures, but when we do it’s a family memory we soak in. With each trip back home we are showing our kids all New England has to offer, one summer trip at a time.
So if you happen to be in the area, this might just be the adventure for you! It’s truly something special to see in person and everyone in our group had the best time. Kids, parents, and grandparents!
And this is where I absolutely need to give a shout out to our awesome parents (kids grandparents) who are in their late 60’s and kept up with the the kids through almost every cave! Although three of us did skip the “Lemon Squeezer,” but that cave is a tight squeeze indeed!
Happy exploring, and we’ll see you guys on our next adventure.
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