An 80-ton boulder that had loomed above visitors for more than 100 years collapsed at a popular New Hampshire attraction on the closing day of its 2026 season.
Polar Caves, a network of glacially formed talus caves in the White Mountains, said its famed “Mysterious Hanging Boulder” fell on Oct. 18, striking a walkway traveled by thousands of guests annually.
“We are incredibly grateful that no one was injured in this incident,” Polar Caves Park said in a press release.
Because the collapse occurred as the 2026 season ended, the park plans to evaluate the damage and consider how to proceed during the offseason.
New Hampshire’s White Mountains attract visitors in every season, particularly during the fall foliage period. Polar Caves has been a fixture in the area since it opened in 1922.
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The cave system dates to the last ice age, when a continental glacier crossed New Hampshire and deposited enormous granite boulders across the landscape.
The Mysterious Hanging Boulder ranked among the site’s signature attractions. Visitors frequently paused beneath the massive rock to take pictures or escape the sun.
In addition to its nine glacial granite boulder caves, Polar Caves offers nature trails, a boulder maze, an animal park featuring fallow deer and a gem-mining sluice.
Park officials said Polar Caves remains focused on protecting the attraction while maintaining a safe environment for visitors and staff.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2027 season,” officials said.