Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New Hampshire Lyndeborough Purgatory Falls

Purgatory Falls

Beautiful natural falls where Satan once ruined a pot of beans.

Lyndeborough, New Hampshire

Added By
Kernee
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Upper purgatory falls looking down   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Lower purgatory falls   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Hotel remains at lower purgatory falls   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Upper purgatory falls   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Upper purgatory falls “devils bean pot” or “devils footprint” can’t tell wasn’t marked   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Upper purgatory falls “devils bean pot” or “devils footprint” can’t tell wasn’t marked   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Lower purgatory falls   Hheeaatthh / Atlas Obscura User
Purgatory Falls   NewEnglandWaterfalls.com
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The ominously-named Purgatory Falls may not be the biggest or most dangerous waterfall in the world, but if the legends are true, it is definitely the waterfall most used as a kitchen by Satan.

Despite the lovely natural surroundings, legend has it that the Devil himself once invited a number of churchmen to a bean feast at the falls, and while cooking in a pot heated directly by the fires of Hell, Ol' Scratch drew too much heat and melted the rock around his foot which got him stuck. Evidence of this infernal meal still remains. Among the upper falls there is a large hole in the rock called "The Devil's Bean Pot" and nearby is another indent in the stone referred to as "The Devil's Footprint."

Despite the possibility of evil dinner parties, the upper falls were a major tourist draw from the 1890s until the Great Depression. Purgatory Grove featured a dance hall, bowling alley, log cabin, and another building which have since been lost to the ravages of decay. The lower falls feature remnants of a sawmill that was powered by the brook until it burned in the 1950s.

Related Tags

Waterfalls Natural Wonders Nature Water

Know Before You Go

The trails are poorly marked. Stay on the path.

Community Contributors

Added By

Kernee

Edited By

Martin, Hheeaatthh, Zokerbacher, EricGrundhauser

  • Martin
  • Hheeaatthh
  • Zokerbacher
  • EricGrundhauser

Published

September 1, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://montvernonhistoricalsocietynewsletter.wordpress.com/2021/11/13/mont-vernons-bowling-alley-in-the-woods/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory_Brook
  • http://outdoorsindoors.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/purgatory-falls-nh-trails/
  • http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCPT49_devils-kitchen?guid=32983cfa-108f-4509-b620-58082580747b
Purgatory Falls
Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, 03082
United States
42.886712, -71.708557

Nearby Places

William G. Bruce's Grave

Mont Vernon, New Hampshire

miles away

Frog Rock

New Boston, New Hampshire

miles away

Caroline Cutter Headstone

Milford, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Hampshire

New Hampshire

United States

Places 110
Stories 6

Nearby Places

William G. Bruce's Grave

Mont Vernon, New Hampshire

miles away

Frog Rock

New Boston, New Hampshire

miles away

Caroline Cutter Headstone

Milford, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Hampshire

New Hampshire

United States

Places 110
Stories 6

Related Places

  • Cascade Falls.

    Duck Creek Village, Utah

    Cascade Falls

    An improbable waterfall springs from an orange-white cliff face, tumbling into the headwaters of the Virgin River above Zion National Park.

  • Valaste Waterfall

    Valaste, Estonia

    Valaste Waterfall

    This stunning limestone waterfall is the highest in Estonia.

  • Njupeskärs Vattenfall

    Älvdalen S, Sweden

    Njupeskärs Vattenfall

    Believed to be the country's tallest waterfall, the Njupeskär is actually much smaller.

  • The falls in the morning.

    Zambia

    Kalambo Falls

    This stunning waterfall is the backdrop to a site that has seen continuous human habitation for 250,000 years.

  • Cascata Grande di Isola del Liri

    Isola del Liri, Italy

    Cascata Grande di Isola del Liri

    Italy's only urban waterfall has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries.

  • Veliki Buk Waterfall

    Strmosten, Serbia

    Veliki Buk Waterfall

    A hidden stream deep in the mountains creates one of the largest tufa waterfalls in Serbia.

  • Sopotnički Vodopadi

    Sopotnica, Serbia

    Sopotnički Vodopadi

    This natural monument has an origin story steeped in legend.

  • Trevi Waterfall and the small lake.

    Rome, Italy

    Trevi Waterfall

    A magnificent waterfall is also home to the remains of a Roman hydraulic engineering system.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.