Rainbows swirl in a mist created by the white water thundering through a 30-foot-high gorge at Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton, N. H. Fearless youths dive into the frigid water while teens in bathing suits steal glances from blankets on the rocks. The granite gorge, sculpted into sensuous shapes by melting ice-age glaciers, embraces the Cockermouth River on its way to Newfound Lake. Pack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon swimming or exploring. Daredevils can plunge into the pools from the top of the gorge, and more timid rusticators can take a cold shower in the waterfalls, numb their toes in the shallows, or bask in the cool spray that envelops the canyon. Those of a more aesthetic bent can clamber over the rocks to examine the otherworldly formations that gave the gorge its name. – Tom Long

I-93 north to exit 23; Route 104 west to Route 3A north; follow signs to Sculptured Rocks Natural Area; nhstateparks.org