Ausable Chasm

The Ausable River cut this gorge through Potsdam sandstone, rock laid down around five hundred million years ago, producing walls up to about fifty metres with narrow sections and formations that early promoters gave names like Elephant's Head and the Devil's Oven. It opened as a commercial attraction in 1870, which makes it among the oldest continuously operating natural attractions in the United States. Walkways run along the rock face and bridges cross the water. A flood in 1996 destroyed much of the walkway infrastructure and it was rebuilt. Beyond walking, the operation runs rafting and tubing down the calmer lower section, and lantern tours after dark.

Background

The gorge lies near the hamlet of Keeseville, due west of Port Kent, and runs about two miles with a depth of about 150 feet. It began forming about 10,000 years ago, at the close of the last glacial period, as Rainbow Falls, a waterfall of 91 feet at the southern end, cut back through a bed of Cambrian Potsdam Sandstone 520 feet thick. Two old river channels left behind, Big Dry Chasm and Little Dry Chasm, are open to visitors too. The first bridge, two logs planked over, dates from 1793. In the late 19th century Rainbow Falls drove a horse nail works that turned out two tons of nails a day.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ausable Chasm"

What you'll find

• Sandstone walls up to fifty metres - rock around 500 million years old.
• Walkways cut along the rock face - with bridges over the water.
• An attraction running since 1870 - among the oldest in the country.
• Rafting and tubing - on the lower, calmer section.

When to go

May to October; a limited winter programme runs. Three hours.

Good to know

It is a privately run paid attraction, not a park. High water closes the lower walkways and the river activities. Walkways are wet and stepped. Prices add up with the optional river trips.

Nearby

Lake Champlain is east; the High Peaks are west.

Key facts