Northern New Hampshire and the White Mountains National Forest
The White Mountain National Forest is the largest and most significant among a series of national parks and rare natural sites in the northern part of New Hampshire. The rural north region is considered one of the most attractive areas in New England for nature trips, fresh air, camping, streams, and adventure sports. The mountainous region is filled with ski resorts, charming towns, and the complete splendor of North American nature.
- High above the valleys and streams stand Mount Washington and Mount Adams, the tallest peaks of the northern Appalachian range.
- Franconia Notch State Park completes this enchanting natural space. In the fall, the entire area turns into a vibrant colorful spectacle, drawing tourists from all over to witness the stunning foliage.
How long should you spend in the White Mountain National Forest and Northern New Hampshire?
For a trip to the northern part of New Hampshire, it's worth dedicating at least two to three full days.
While traveling in northern New Hampshire, it's highly recommended to find accommodation in one of the mountain resort hotels or motels along the highways.
Click here to check availability and prices for the White Mountain resort hotels and motels…
8 Things You Must See and Do in the White Mountain National Forest and Northern New Hampshire
- Take a road trip along the Kancamagus Highway that crosses the White Mountain National Forest.
- Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway climbing Mount Washington
- Travel on the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway
- Visit the luxurious Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods
- Magical nature of fall foliage and streams in Franconia Notch State Park
- Clark's Trading Post amusement park in Lincoln
- The slopes of Loon Mountain Ski Resort
- The slopes of Bartlett Ski Resort
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How to get to the White Mountains National Forest and Northern New Hampshire?
- The closest international airport to the White Mountains and Northern New Hampshire area is Logan in Boston. Boston Airport has several direct lines with Ben Gurion, including El Al and Delta. Logan is about a two-hour drive from the town of Lincoln and three hours from Berlin in the northern part of the state
- Montreal's Montréal–Trudeau International Airport – YUL, is located a three-hour drive from Berlin and is a convenient option for those wanting to reach the northern tip of New Hampshire.
- Lincoln, located in the western part of the White Mountain National Forest, is on Route 93 which runs south to north through the state. This highway connects the town with Concord and Manchester, within an hour to an hour and a quarter drive, and with Boston, about two hours away.
- The I-91 highway which runs from New Haven, Connecticut, is also a convenient option for reaching the area from New York City. This highway runs along the Connecticut River, the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, conveniently accessing the western part of the state. This route connects New York with Quebec in Canada and the main city in the Montreal region.
Map of the White Mountains in Northern New Hampshire
When to Visit White Mountain National Forest?
- The White Mountains and all of Northern New Hampshire are stunningly beautiful sites that attract tourists year-round
- The peak season is fall, when the area is painted with the intoxicating colors of foliage and it becomes bustling with visitors
- In summer, the whole area turns into a popular spot for camping and nature hikes. In spring, though it's still chilly, the melting snow along with the sights of nature awakening make the place magical
- In winter, the area features several popular ski resorts that also attract many tourists, especially from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York
How to Plan Your Trip in Northern New Hampshire and the White Mountains?
- Planning a trip in the White Mountains area and the northern part of New Hampshire is based on the main traffic routes. The most convenient way to start your trip is either at Lincoln on Highway 93 or Conway in the east, which you can reach after a visit to the enchanting Winnipesaukee Lake area.
- Between Conway and Lincoln stretches the Kancamagus Highway, the tourist heart of the White Mountains.
- Near Lincoln, you will find several important sites such as the Franconia Notch State Park.
- To the north, completing the loop of the Kancamagus Highway is Route 302 towards Mount Washington, which passes through Bretton Woods. This loop more or less establishes what there is to see and do in the White Mountains.
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Everything to See and Do in the White Mountains and Northern New Hampshire
White Mountains National Forest
The vast expanse of the White Mountain National Forest is among the most beautiful foliage sites in New England and all of the USA. As the fall season kicks off, the national forest roads fill up with visitors (including traffic jams and a shortage of accommodations). Within the national forest are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, camping spots, small lakes, charming forests, and streams.
The Kancamagus Highway slices through the national forest from the south, one of the most beautiful roads in New England. Some even say it's among the most stunning in all of America. The highway stretches from Conway in the east to Lincoln in the west, along Route 112. It passes through the White Mountain National Forest, making it perhaps the ideal spot to witness the unique and iconic New Hampshire fall foliage.
Click here to download the guided audio tour for driving on the Kancamagus Highway in a mobile app…
North Conway
The White Mountain is one of the untouched natural sites where human hands have scarcely interfered. Even the most pristine nature benefits from a touch of civilization nearby. The town of North Conway lies east of the mountain range and serves as the main gateway to the national park. The town is packed with everything you need for a fun tourist experience – plenty of hotels and motels, restaurants, and a huge number of brand stores and chains for shopping. The Conway Scenic Railroad is a popular attraction where you can hop on a vintage steam train and embark on a scenic ride along a rural track with breathtaking views.
Bartlett
About a fifteen-minute drive from North Conway is the ski town of Bartlett. The town, at an elevation of 700 meters, is the starting point for lifts climbing south to gentle slopes on the northern face. In winter, the lifts are part of a popular ski resort, and in summer, they take tourists to trails on the mountain ridge.
Bretton Woods
The beautiful town is located a half-hour drive from Bartlett on Route 302 through Crawford Notch State Park. The state park stretches along the eastern slopes of Mount Willey, right in the heart of the White Mountain range along the Saco River.
Bretton Woods is situated on the western slopes of Mount Washington. Today, the town is a luxurious tourist hub of the White Mountain, mainly because of the vast Omni Mount Washington Resort that dominates the town. The resort is a historic site where the International Monetary Fund was essentially established in 1944. It opened in the early 20th century and has since attracted the rich and famous.
Mount Washington and Mount Adams
Mount Washington is located east of the town of Bretton Woods and is the highest mountain in the Northern Appalachians (second only to Mount Mitchell in North Carolina). The mountain rises to a height of nearly 2 kilometers and is considered a coveted goal for mountain climbers who come to experience one of the most hostile environments in the USA. Near the summit, very strong winds blow, and the mountain holds records for the strongest winds measured in the USA in non-tornado events.
The mountain is one of several nearby peaks of the range named after U.S. Presidents. To the ridge's shoulder climbs the special tourist railway line, The Mount Washington Cog Railway, a line that has been active since the mid-19th century and is considered one of the oldest tourist attractions in the USA. The railway climbs a tremendous slope slowly over more than five kilometers and ascends to the Cog Railway Hiker Parking, the starting point for hikers heading to the summits. The starting point can also be reached by car.
Jackson
The vintage tourism city of New Hampshire, Jackson was once the playground and ski site for affluent New Englanders who came to stay at its beautiful hotels at the junction between the White Mountain range and the Black Mountain range to the east. The town reminisced of Swiss Alpine villages, with hotels spread across the area and winter options for gentle slope skiing right next to the lodging spots. Over time, the town lost some of its charm but in recent years has been rediscovered and is becoming popular again, with extensive renovations and refurbishing of its unique hotels. To the east of the town is the wonderful Black Mountain Ski Area, one of the most popular ski resorts in the eastern US. To the north is the Pinkham Notch ski site.
Pinkham Notch
The quality ski site is just a quarter-hour drive north of Jackson. The lifts stretch over the western slopes of Wildcat Mountain and usually start operating at the end of November. Visitors to the site often stay in nearby Jackson. In the summer, the lifts are also active, providing access to the excellent hiking trails on the ridge. The trails are part of the Appalachian Trail, with some suitable for a relaxing family walk and others truly for the professionals.
Lincoln and Loon Mountain
The small town of Lincoln is the gateway to the mountainous nature areas of northern New Hampshire. It is located at the western end of Highway 112 (the Kancamagus Highway), which crosses the White Mountain National Forest. East of the town, along the route of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, lies the fantastic Loon Mountain ski area. From the road by the riverbank, cable cars head south to the gently sloping mountain, and in winter, the entire mountain is filled with skiers and tourists. The mountain is forested, and at its summit, trees have been cleared to pave narrow ski trails. In summer, the cable cars take tourists up the mountain, where there are stunning hiking trails and walks in the ski track clearings.
Clarks Trading Post Amusement Park
Clark's Trading Post is what you might call a quirky amusement park. It's located in the western part of Lincoln, not far from Highway 93 and near the Pemigewasset River. The compound houses several museums and is especially known for featuring trained bears in a circus show. The place embodies the values of old American fairs, combined with special attractions and a vintage atmosphere.
Franconia Notch State Park
The national park is one of the most beautiful and popular natural sites in the northeastern USA. The park lies in the mountainous valley between Cannon Mountain to the west and the ridge of Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln to the east. The narrow valley is conveniently crossed by Highway 93 heading north.
In the mountain valley, there is an abundance of charming mountain streams, small lakes, forest hiking trails, spectacular geological wonders, and more. At the small Echo Lake in the northern part of the park, you'll find a stunning sandy beach to the north. The lake serves as a base for various types of boating and even swimming (though the water is cold). The most beautiful hiking trail in the park is Flume Gorge, where the walking paths are right above the streams and small waterfalls.
Berlin
The large town of Berlin dominates the park area from the north. It is located a 40-minute drive north of Jackson, in a valley north of Mount Washington. The town serves as the gateway from New Hampshire towards western Maine, just over a half-hour drive from the beautiful town of Bethel in Maine. The town stretches along the wide bank of the Androscoggin River and is the starting point for exploring nature reserves and national parks along the river's route. On the town's main street, along the river's western bank, you'll find restaurants, motels, and shops.
