Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
4.8(2.2K)google
4.6(92)yelp
Hiking TrailKidsOutdoorAdventurousMust-SeeCaveRock FormationCanyonRiver
Overview
The Lost River Reservation (also known as the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves) is a protected area with a series of boulder caves along a gorge in the White Mountains in Woodstock, New Hampshire, United States. Located 5 miles (8 km) west of the village of North Woodstock on New Hampshire Route 112, Lost River Reservation is set in Kinsman Notch. One of the White Mountains' major passes, Kinsman Notch lies between Mount Moosilauke and Kinsman Ridge at just under 2,000 feet (600 m) above sea level.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeStrictly open from late May to mid-October. Setting off right at 9:00 AM opening ensures cool mountain temperatures for navigating the jagged wooden boardwalk loops and squeezing through the narrow granite boulder caves comfortably before heavy family crowds arrive, minimizing queue-delays inside the cavern crawlways.
Getting ThereSituated west of North Woodstock. Car transit is mandatory: take I-93 to Exit 32 at Lincoln, head west on NH-112 W (Lost River Road) for roughly 7 miles into Kinsman Notch. The reservation entrance will be prominently visible on the right, providing an expansive, free paved flat surface parking lot outside the main lodge.
Travel Tips
- The boulder caves feature ultra-narrow crevices requiring belly crawling; individuals with claustrophobia or heavy builds must bypass these optional cave loops.
- Over 1,000 wooden steps demand intense knee strain; flip-flops or smooth soles are strictly banned, as are bulky framed child carriers inside the gorge.
Photo Tips
Best LightMountain ridges block sunlight early, causing post-noon temperature drops; book 10:00-13:00 slots for optimal canyon photography angles and warmth.
Reviews
Positive
- An adventure-packed journey! Squeezing through massive granite boulder crevices and crawling through caves offers a truly unique experience.
- Every cave features a thoughtful 'size challenge' sign indicating how tight the squeeze is, letting visitors choose whether to attempt it.
- The trail features a spectacular suspension bridge and a giant wooden 'bird's nest' overlook, beautifully designed and great for photos.
- The staff is incredibly welcoming, patiently explaining safety protocols at the entrance and mapping out routes suitable for different ages.
Heads up
- Tickets must be booked online via timed entry; there's no walk-up ticket window, which is very inconvenient for tech-unfriendly seniors.
- Most caves are extremely narrow and low, requiring deep bending or belly crawling, which can cause intense claustrophobia.
- Though the main path is a boardwalk, entering and exiting caves requires tackling endless steep stairs, which demands good physical stamina.
- There are no snack shacks or water fountains along the trail; if you don't bring enough water on a hot summer day, you'll be exhausted.