Garwin Falls is currently closed to the public and a fine is issued by the police if you are found visiting the falls.
I love a good waterfall. Especially when it is located in Southern New Hampshire. Located on Issac Frye Highway near Putnam Hill Road in Wilton is a nice little walk to two sets of falls. There is minimal parking here and the side of the road is posted. If it is a warm day arrive early or go on a weeknight when it is not as busy. The path is well worn and easy to follow. About a quarter of a mile down the trail is a path off to your left that goes to Upper Garwin Falls. This is the smaller of the two falls, but still worth checking out. This appears to be a swimming hole, but it looked a little murky and my family and I did not feel we would swim here, but there is evidence that others swim here and it was perfect for our dog.
Once back on the main trail you walk past a dam, there was not a lot of water behind it, but my guess is in the spring the water is pretty flowing. My dog enjoyed the views.
A little further down the trail is evidence of an old home or some form of building with a cool rock foundation.
From the old foundation it is just a short walk down a hill to the Lower Garwin Falls and these are some beautiful falls. They are easy to get under and there is a small pool where people were swimming. I am still not sold on swimming here as the water in the pool did not look very clean. I have seen on line that this is a popular swimming hole. My daughter and I did enjoy dunking my head under the falls.
It is just a half mile from the parking lot to the Lower Falls. Perfect hike for families, but watch young children around the rocks as they can be slippery. I'm so excited to have another waterfall in the Monadnock area on my list.
Update: We had a unusually warm January with rain and snow melt. My family and went back to visit the falls. It was spectacular. The Upper Falls was rushing and there was some ice near the falls.
With all the rain ands snow melt the trail was pretty wet.
The best part of the trail was the lower falls. The waterfall was magnificent.
If you are in the area I highly recommend taking a walk down to the falls. I would guess at certain times of the winter you would need some form of traction.
