White Mountains is an amazing region. As locals we certainly have spent a lot of time there. In this post we would like to share some musts sees, and also talk about camping, hiking and dining
Since we continue to prepare to start out on our long term adventure and begin a new life of travel, we have had a hard time deciding what to start posting first. The last year has been crazy and a whirlwind adventure all on its own, so much has already come and gone, the question is where to start! Our focus will be on travel and travel related themes, and what better place to start than our own back yard, so to speak.
This is why we decided to start with what we know best and what we are still currently doing. After many years of traveling around the White Mountain region of New Hampshire we have learned a great deal about the area without a doubt. We are often asked what are the best places to go and things to do in the White Mountains region, so we would like to share that information in written format.
Central and Northern New Hampshire has a lot to offer! Overall there are two main routes to access the region of White Mountains from southern NH, Interstate 93N and Route 16N. To illustrate the best scenery and a more relaxed pace we will take you up Route 16.
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Best Views In the White Mountains:
1) Pull-off near Chocorua Lake:
This is a beautiful spot to take pictures.
https://goo.gl/maps/RYH8L5NuAEqrxdSx7
2) Narrows Bridge (Chocorua Lake Conservancy)
In addition to #1 this parking area leads to a Bridge that overlooks Chocorua Lake with an amazing view of Mt. Chocorua.
https://goo.gl/maps/LVA6c3C31synau1Q6
2.1) The Island (Chocorua Lake Conservancy)
Just down the road from Narrows Bridge there is another great spot- a parking area with an amazing beach. It’s sandy and shallow, so it’s perfect for a quick swim especially for the little ones!
https://goo.gl/maps/45Tyx6vPkeEtBk3n6
3) Saco River Covered Bridge:
This is a historic covered bridge, one of many in the state. It does have low clearance, so watch your vehicle height!
https://goo.gl/maps/zFjrNZfQmFQafzgWA
4) First Bridge:
This is a nice area to explore, a place to swim, picnic and also launch your kayak/canoe. The river is beautiful, and this is a commonly used launching area for many of the Kayak/Canoe rental companies in the area.
https://goo.gl/maps/Cc4jWQLsnKgcUFqj9
5.1) Cathedral Ledge Lookout:
This is another impressive location to visit. You can drive up the road, park, then walk out to an overlook that is perched about 500 feet high. The view is absolutely beautiful, but it’s all fenced in for safety. This is a must see while in the White Mountain region.
https://goo.gl/maps/Cgbofq542meHcanJ9
5.2) Additional Viewing on Cathedral Ledge:
After seeing the main fenced in area, as you start to walk back to your car, you can wander off to the left for about 300 feet and you will come to another overlook. This area is not fenced in but will offer a little more privacy and a nice place to have a quick bite to eat.
https://goo.gl/maps/3rMg2ykP5T1uXjYYA
6) Lilly Pond Vista:
This is another spot that has a beautiful view of a pond nestled in the mountains. This is also a hot spot of activity for Moose, especially in the afternoons.
https://goo.gl/maps/PM5J9S2Y4aXaU8QF6
7) Pemigewasset Overlook:
This spot is located at the heart of the White Mountains. Along the Kancamagus Highway there are several overlooks to stop and enjoy the views. So if you are short on time then this stop will give you the best view especially for sunset.
https://goo.gl/maps/VxUqmLZuaEeZ4Uks6
More scenic ares:
8) Rocky Gorge Scenic Area:
This is an amazing place to visit! Waterfalls, picnic areas, trails, and swimming. In addition, it offers a great example of some local geology as well as a few easy to access swimming areas.
https://goo.gl/maps/6zyVWoPxAQivCHQPA
9.1) Jackson, NH:
Jackson is a very small, quaint town on the main road to Mt. Washington. Therefore, it is a nice example of a traditional old town in NH.
Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_New_Hampshire
https://goo.gl/maps/uy4bkYHDxsVwWauK8
9.2) Jackson Falls:
Jackson also has a beautiful set of waterfalls, this is a hidden gem that the masses of people in Conway tend to miss. It’s another nice place to stop and swim or explore.
https://goo.gl/maps/2ogKW4UzzRE1jMhB6
10.1) Mt. Washington Auto Road:
Mt. Washington has some of the best views east of the Mississippi River, it’s also the highest point east of the Mississippi. Taking the Auto road gives you not only freedom to explore different areas, but also ability to travel at your own pace . Meanwhile, as you ascend the mountain, you will go through different zones of elevation. When you do so, it’s great to get out of the car and explore plants and rocks. The higher you go, the shorter the trees become, until you get above tree line. The road is somewhat challenging to drive, so we would urge you to check out their website for additional information. https://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/drive-yourself/
The drive up Mt. Washington is spectacular, however, if you don’t want to drive they also offer a van service. That will take you to the top via the Auto Road as long as you’re not afraid of heights.
https://goo.gl/maps/m9aXwGiuw3WvHVeE9
10.2) Mount Washington Cog Railway:
Another option is taking the Cog Railway up to the summit. Even though, this is more expensive, it remains a very popular option. They run both Diesel and Steam powered trains, however, the Steam train runs on a reduced schedule. So make sure you check their website for details.
https://goo.gl/maps/rB4uBfaHRmZrcMXm6
Activities and Small Hikes of the White Mountains:
1) Saco River Canoe Rental Companyhttps://www.sacocanoerental.com:
In our opinion, this company offers the best method of kayak rental and transportation. They pick you up where you park your car, take you via bus to the start point on the river, then you kayak back to your parking area. At the end of the day when you are tired and ready to go home, you can quickly hop into your car and leave. They have different length of trips and offer Canoes, Kayaks and tubes. The Saco is a stunningly beautiful, gentle river, with places to swim, eat, and play. This is an absolute must if you like the water, however, it does take most of the day. You would want to get a trip at between 9-10 AM and you will return between 2-5 PM depending on how fast you go. This is one of the best experiences to have in this area, of course, weather depending.
https://goo.gl/maps/iTxYCq7d1gxU3pP28
2) The Center of North Conway:
This is the tourist area, but the Zeb’s country store is worth a quick walk through. Also, you can sometimes see a train departing from the station. We don’t recommend the train ride due to price and lack of views. We are happy we did it once, but, we won’t go again.
https://goo.gl/maps/KLEw5McQ3AovdPar9
Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
*Tip: However, if you get up to North Conway and traffic is heavy, you can take “North South Road” to bypass the main traffic. Look at google maps and you will see it:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZY3wC4eRaURouTwj6
3) Diana’s Baths:
This is a popular and easy to reach set of beautiful water falls:
Photo Credit:https://www.seasonsnh.com/dianas-bath/
https://goo.gl/maps/Vp9WFgmGMmvwDGjX7
4) Alpine Adventures:
This company offers several activities such as: Zip-lines, Off-Road driving adventures and a smaller zip-line and ropes course for people looking for something less strenuous. Since we have done most of the local zip-lines in the area, we found that this gives the most memorable experience. It is defiantly more difficult physically, but is our top pick for a zip-line adventure.
https://goo.gl/maps/U873cPrhgs94sAXn8
5) Canon Mountain Aerial Tramway:
The Canon Mountain Aerial Tramway offers an easy way to get to the top and enjoy the views of the White Mountains. There are some mountain top areas to explore as well as a couple small hiking loops. They also have an observation tower you can climb for a full 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains.
https://goo.gl/maps/HGaYZNKZ5LqZuypg9
Food:
1) Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub:
Certainly one of our favorites, great food and a really cool atmosphere and medium prices. It is touristy, but, very famous in the area and the food is delicious.
https://goo.gl/maps/P4mXnk8LLAVUgxhJA
2) Black Mtn. Burger Company:
This restaurant is our favorite place to visit for a burger after a few days of hiking. They offer some delicious options and amazing french fries. My personal favorite is the “Triple Trouble Burger”. The atmosphere is more relaxed and upscale than your typical bar. They also use Canola oil for frying, so if you have a Soy allergy (like I do), you can enjoy some fried foods.
https://goo.gl/maps/UGaLCfZdVTDe8inPA
3) White Mountain Bagel Company:
If you are looking for a great breakfast and coffee that is a little different (and better) than the chain stores, this place is worth a visit. Awesome bagels, croissants, and sandwiches check out their reviews, we think you will be happy that you did.
https://goo.gl/maps/8Fdrv2SUjgidW3Wz7
4) The Metropolitan Coffeehouse:
This coffee shop has an artistic flair and offers a wide variety of speciality coffees. Also, the decor and style of serving makes it stand out from the crowd.
https://goo.gl/maps/d9jJz7Fju98zkkaU6
Camping in the White Mountains:
1) Glenn Ellis Campground.
Glenn Ellis has been voted #1 in NH for many years. They have an excellent swimming hole and also a section of gentle rapids that you can ride a tube down. The grounds are pristine, they offer tent camping, all the way up to full hookups for RVs. It can be hard to get a site, but, very nice if you can. Every time we don’t have a reservation, we will call periodically asking for openings and cancellations.
https://goo.gl/maps/PpevGLUYEHoLNmJb8
2) NH State Campgrounds.
NH State Campgrounds usually offer tent camping and RV spots, but generally lack hookups. Some campgrounds have hookups, so if that is a requirement for you it would be best to check with each campground to find what you need. Our usage of these campgrounds has been limited to those along the Kancamagus Highway and a few others in the area:
https://www.nhstateparks.org/activities/camping
2.1) Hancock Campground.
This campground is close to Lincoln, NH and has several drive-in campsites as well as walk-in sites. Some of the walk-in sites are right along the Pemigewasset River and are among our favorite sites to stay.
https://goo.gl/maps/qfH4MLx256ubmfDeA
2.2) Passaconaway Campground.
Another campground that is located near the mid-point of the Kancamagus Highway is Passaconaway Campground. There are some water front sites and hiking trails. It offers a quiet location with plenty of nature to enjoy.
https://goo.gl/maps/Er6QAiv97YUbkQKq9
2.3) Jigger Johnson Campground.
In addition to Passaconaway Campground, there’s is Jigger Johnson Campground. Even though it’s secluded and rustic like most of the State Campgrounds, it offers access to hiking, rivers, and solitude. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in the area.
https://goo.gl/maps/VqpKaqiyY4WMBYDB8
2.4) Russell Pond Campground.
Russell Pond Campground is another one of our favorite places. It’s secluded, has fantastic facilities and also sits on one of the prettiest mountain ponds in NH. The pond has crystal clear water and not to mention is perfect for swimming and kayaking. We also enjoy snorkeling and looking for pond life as well. We have spend many days here and are always impressed.
https://goo.gl/maps/9y1VaexqZ7eAc8SaA
3) Tripoli Road Camping Area.
Tripoli Road has a good selection of free and also paid camping. It is a little more out in the wilderness along a dirt road. However, if you get lucky, you can find a fantastic site!
https://goo.gl/maps/JV2RK3vuMWYVqw437
Lastly, if you have any suggestions to add to this article, please contact us using the contact information at the top of the page. We will be also updating this post as we find additional pictures and will expand upon some of the individual topics. Check back for update!
