The Basin, Giant's kettle in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire.
The Basin features a natural granite formation carved into a 20-foot-deep circular pool filled with water flowing from Cascade Brook.
Glacial meltwaters shaped this geological formation approximately 15,000 years ago during the last ice age in the White Mountains region.
The Basin stands as a central natural landmark within Franconia Notch State Park, drawing photographers and nature enthusiasts throughout the seasons.
Visitors can access The Basin through designated parking areas on Interstate 93, followed by a short walking path to reach the observation points.
Water continuously spins and polishes the granite walls of the pothole, maintaining its smooth surface through natural geological processes.
Location: Grafton County
Location: Lincoln
Part of: Franconia Notch State Park
GPS coordinates: 44.12105,-71.68303
Latest update: March 3, 2025 13:08
New Hampshire reveals a land where the White Mountains have shaped the skyline for millennia. Between northern coniferous forests and southeastern Atlantic coasts, this New England state features waterfalls cascading over granite, glacial passes carved 15,000 years ago, and industrial villages embedded in red stone. Archaeological sites, lighthouses guiding ships on Piscataqua, and estates where early 20th-century artists shaped American identity await discovery. Trails wind through gorges, along lakes reflecting peaks, and through forests where remnants of old foundries remain. Autumn light illuminates maple trees, winter turns ravines into ice amphitheaters, and spring causes waterfalls to roar. From Mount Monadnock to the Shoals Islands, New Hampshire offers a varied geography where each hill, waterfall, and stone bears witness to a deeply rooted natural and human story within the landscape of New England.
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