80-ton boulder at NH Polar Caves since 1922 collapses, no injuries
A famous 80-ton granite boulder at New Hampshire's Polar Caves Park collapsed on the final day of the 2026 season, causing no injuries. Geologists attribute the collapse to natural weathering processes like freezing and thawing.
Why it matters
The event highlights the natural geological changes occurring in mountain environments and the importance of safety management at historical tourist sites.
An 80-ton granite boulder known as the Mysterious Hanging Boulder collapsed at Polar Caves Park in Rumney, New Hampshire, crushing a wooden walkway on the final day of the park's 2026 operating season. The huge rock had stuck out from a granite wall since the park first opened in 1922. It fell on 18 October, but no one was injured. The collapse happened on the day the attraction was due to close for the season, avoiding the risk to thousands of tourists who usually walk beneath the landmark during the busy months. Park managers confirmed that the falling boulder smashed part of a wooden walkway and its safety railings along the main hiking trail.
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