Shelburne Basins

The Shelburne Basins Trail begins just off the south side of U.S. Route 2 near Shelburne, NH, next to White Birches Camping Park. Look for a small roadside pull-off with space for a couple of vehicles. From the road, follow the wide dirt path into the woods. The route is unofficial and unmarked but well-worn, paralleling Pea Brook as it climbs gradually through mixed forest. After a short distance, the trail reaches a scenic series of ledges and cascades where the brook tumbles into pools and shallow slides. Continue upstream to reach the main basin waterfall — a deep, clear pool tucked beneath a mossy rock face that offers great swimming during warm weather. Some sections of the trail near the water can be slippery or uneven. The route ends at the upper falls; return the same way to the trailhead. This is an easy forest hike ideal for summer outings in the White Mountains, especially for those looking to explore off-the-radar waterfall hikes near Gorham.