Historic Boulder Falls in New Hampshire's Polar Caves Park After 104 Years
The iconic landmark, which attracted thousands of visitors, crashed to the ground on the final day of the park's season, leading to a temporary closure.
A historic boulder that had remained precariously balanced for 104 years has fallen in New Hampshire's Polar Caves Park, prompting the attraction to close for the remainder of the year.
The iconic stone, estimated to weigh over 100,000 pounds and a significant draw for visitors, fell on Sunday, October 18, in Rumney. The park, located near the White Mountain region, announced the closure in a press release on its website.
A hiker documented the aftermath of the boulder's collapse, sharing a video that showed damaged railings along the trail leading to a wooden walkway. The hiker then encountered a sign near the fallen rock that read: "This boulder is cracked through and rests on 3 contact points in the back. It weighs 80 tons, 75 percent of which is hanging over your heads."
"We are incredibly grateful that no one was injured in the incident," a spokesperson for Polar Caves stated. "During the off-season, Polar Caves will assess the site to determine appropriate next steps."
The park, which typically welcomes around 55,000 visitors annually, features attractions such as the Nine Granite Boulder Caves, nature trails, an animal exhibit, and a boulder maze. The timing of the boulder's fall, on the last day of the park's operating season, means the closure will not affect current visitors.
Management plans to utilize the winter months to evaluate safety measures and devise a strategy for the affected area of the cave trail.
"We are committed to ensuring that Polar Caves continues to be a fun, memorable, and safe family attraction for generations to come," the statement added. "We thank our guests and community for their continued support and look forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2027 season."
