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An adventure created by nature with fun, serenity, beauty, mystery, challenge, history and education all wrapped up in one! Lost River is enjoyed each year by thousands of guests of all ages. Click on the titles below for more information on each one.

The Gorge and Boardwalk  |  Lost River Mining Sluice   |  Lantern Tours

Ecology Trail  |  Dilly Cliff Trail   |  Nature Trail and Nature Garden

 

The Gorge and Boardwalk (click the blue italicized words for photos)
Your exploration of Lost River can be as easy or as ambitious as you choose to make it. The trip through Lost River Gorge is a ¾ mile adventure. You can bypass the caves by remaining on the boardwalk, climb and maneuver through easier caves or accept the challenge of more difficult caves like the The Dungeon and The Lemon Squeezer; it’s up to you!

The journey begins with a short walk descending approximately 300 feet along the entrance trail. The first stop from the trail is the Gorge viewing platform where you take in great views of what the gorge has to offer. From there, you enter the gorge and meet your first cave,The Sun Altar.

As you continue along the boardwalk, you will explore rock and boulder formations like the Cave of Odin, Fenris the Wolf, Thor's Cauldron, Thor's Workshop, the most spectacular 35ft waterfall Paradise Falls, Devil's Kitchen, the Cave of Silence, Parallel Rocks, The Center of the Earth, the popular Lemon Squeezer, the Dungeon, Bear Crawl, Judgment Hall of Pluto, Hall of Ships, Shadow Cave and the Rotunda.

 

 

 

Lost River Mining Sluice
Mining is enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. What will you find? Each bag of mining rough is different, so you never know what you'lll find. Let your search for a treasure begin!

Gemstone and Shark's teeth mining is available as an add-on to all admissions or is sold separately. Ruby & Gemstone mining and Fossil mining is sold separately. The mining experience includes a bag of "mining rough" with 2oz of a variety of gemstones or shark's teeth in each bag. The rough is placed in a screen-bottom tray which is then set in a water-powered sluice; as the rough is washed away the gemstones or shark's teeth remain. Gemstones may include crystal points, amethyst, calcite, pyrite, etc. Each rock has a different history and unique story to tell. Collecting gemstones and fossils is exciting for all ages! To learn more about rocks, fossils and collecting, visit www.kidsloverocks.com.

 

 

 

Lantern Tour
Lost River is astonishing during the day and is a whole new adventure at night! There's a different appreciation of the gorge and caves at night with its massive crevasse and lack of street lights. The caves are lit by lanterns and boardwalks are lit by headlamps (feel free to bring your own or we will provide one for your use during the tour. We also sell headlamps in the gift shop). This guided tour takes about 1.5 hours and begins at approximately 8:00pm. When we are finished exploring, we hope you'll join us around the campfire for s'mores.

The Lantern tour runs on Saturday nights from mid June through Labor Day weekend (Our final tour of the 2011 season was Saturday Sept 3rd...please check back in Spring 2012 for next season's schedule). Advanced reservations with a valid credit card are required. If you do not show up for your reservation your credit card will be charged the full price of the reservation. A minimum of 5 people are needed to run the tour and the maximum capacity is 20 people. All reservations must be made by 5pm on Friday before the tour by calling 603-745-8031. All cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

*Please Note: Lantern tours are NOT recommended for children under 4 years of age due to safety concerns.

2011 Rates: Adults $25.00, Ages 4-12 $20.00

 

Ecology Trail
The Kinsman Notch Ecology Trail is a half-mile loop of easy to moderate hiking difficulty. It begins near the Dilly Cliff Trail entrance to the right of the parking areas (near the gazebo). Along the way, you will learn the natural history and ecology of this unique area. The trail is maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and is free of charge. For your safety, please stay on the Kinsman Notch Eology Trail and beware of exposed roots and rocks. Please remember to take only photos and leave only footprints.

 

Dilly Cliff Trail
The Dilly Cliff is a high cliff overlooking Lost River Gorge Reservation. This narrow ledge, which climbs a steep 700 feet, is just under a half mile hike. As signs at the base of the trail warn, this is not a footpath for the casual walker and should only be tackled by persons in good physical condition and with appropriate footwear. This trail is the definition of hand-over-foot hiking. Dilly Cliff Trail is recommended for experienced hikers only and access to the trail from the Lost River Gorge parking lots are available ONLY during business hours (police take notice).

 

Nature Trail and Nature Gardens
The Nature Garden is located near the trout pool at the end of the Gorge tour. It is maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and includes over 300 varieties of native flowers, ferns, and shrubs.