Guidebook for the White Mountains
Golf Course
NH’s only Nicklaus design golf course. The course at Owl’s Nest sits among the magnificent White Mountains, giving golfers the ultimate in scenic vistas throughout the season. From the serious to the casual golfer, elevation changes and pristine conditions show off Owl’s Nest’s charm and challenge.
Called “the best value in the Northeast, if not the entire country” with “great staff, great course, and outstanding vistas,” the real challenge for golfers at Owl’s Nest is staying focused on your game while surrounded by spectacular mountain views. For visitors and members alike, golf at Owl’s Nest introduces a unique golf experience just less than two hours from Boston combined with the inspired living that can only be found in the White Mountains.
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Owl's Nest Resort & Golf Club
40 Clubhouse LnNH’s only Nicklaus design golf course. The course at Owl’s Nest sits among the magnificent White Mountains, giving golfers the ultimate in scenic vistas throughout the season. From the serious to the casual golfer, elevation changes and pristine conditions show off Owl’s Nest’s charm and challenge.
Called “the best value in the Northeast, if not the entire country” with “great staff, great course, and outstanding vistas,” the real challenge for golfers at Owl’s Nest is staying focused on your game while surrounded by spectacular mountain views. For visitors and members alike, golf at Owl’s Nest introduces a unique golf experience just less than two hours from Boston combined with the inspired living that can only be found in the White Mountains.
The historic Waterville Valley Golf Course, provides classic New England golf in a picturesque setting, with rolling hills and the backdrop of several majestic 4,000' mountains. Today's 9-hole course (4 par fours, 5 par threes) provides fun and challenge for all ages and abilities. No two holes are alike, with fairways that lead you into the mountains and back down to the valley floor. We are an active, social course with membership encouraged and several leagues, tournaments, functions and benefits throughout the spring, summer and fall. Open 7am to sunset
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Waterville Valley Golf Course
3 Lost Pass RdThe historic Waterville Valley Golf Course, provides classic New England golf in a picturesque setting, with rolling hills and the backdrop of several majestic 4,000' mountains. Today's 9-hole course (4 par fours, 5 par threes) provides fun and challenge for all ages and abilities. No two holes are alike, with fairways that lead you into the mountains and back down to the valley floor. We are an active, social course with membership encouraged and several leagues, tournaments, functions and benefits throughout the spring, summer and fall. Open 7am to sunset
City/town information
Only 15 minutes away is the small town of Waterville Valley. There are sports, shopping and dining options in this picturesque town.
- hiking
- golf
- mountain biking
- paddle boarding
- swimming
- fireworks
- ice skating
- skiing
and so much more…
https://www.watervillevalley.org/
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Waterville Valley
Only 15 minutes away is the small town of Waterville Valley. There are sports, shopping and dining options in this picturesque town.
- hiking
- golf
- mountain biking
- paddle boarding
- swimming
- fireworks
- ice skating
- skiing
and so much more…
https://www.watervillevalley.org/
Lincoln is a town in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. In Franconia Notch State Park, a boardwalk passes through Flume Gorge, a natural chasm at the base of Mount Liberty. Nearby, the Basin is a deep granite pothole at the foot of a waterfall. East of Lincoln, Loon Mountain has ski trails. In town, Clark’s Trading Post is a theme park with a bear show, an Americana museum and a steam railroad.
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Lincoln
Lincoln is a town in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. In Franconia Notch State Park, a boardwalk passes through Flume Gorge, a natural chasm at the base of Mount Liberty. Nearby, the Basin is a deep granite pothole at the foot of a waterfall. East of Lincoln, Loon Mountain has ski trails. In town, Clark’s Trading Post is a theme park with a bear show, an Americana museum and a steam railroad.
Ice Skating
The Waterville Valley Ice Arena is located at the center of activity in the Town Square complex on the shores of Corcoran's Pond. The Ice Arena offers numerous public skating and stick and puck sessions throughout the week. Rental skates and skate sharpening services are available. The Arena plays hosts to many youth hockey tournaments and camps. Private ice rentals are available upon request. Call us at 603-236-4813 or email info@wvicearena.com
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Waterville Valley Mercantile
31 Village RdThe Waterville Valley Ice Arena is located at the center of activity in the Town Square complex on the shores of Corcoran's Pond. The Ice Arena offers numerous public skating and stick and puck sessions throughout the week. Rental skates and skate sharpening services are available. The Arena plays hosts to many youth hockey tournaments and camps. Private ice rentals are available upon request. Call us at 603-236-4813 or email info@wvicearena.com
Plymouth State University Ice Arena is home to Plymouth State Panthers Men’s and Women’s Varsity Ice Hockey and offers programs to the general public including open skate sessions, youth hockey, figure skating programs, broomball, curling, and learn-to-skate and learn-to-play-hockey sessions. Highlights include:
• Geothermal refrigeration and heating system
• Full-size NHL hockey arena (200’ x 85’)
• Seating for 860
• 4 visiting locker rooms
• 2 varsity locker rooms
• 3 officials locker rooms
• Welcome Center, large event space for 160-200 guests
• Multipurpose meeting or conference room overlooking the arena
• Electric Zamboni
Plymouth State University Ice Arena
129 New Hampshire Rte 175Plymouth State University Ice Arena is home to Plymouth State Panthers Men’s and Women’s Varsity Ice Hockey and offers programs to the general public including open skate sessions, youth hockey, figure skating programs, broomball, curling, and learn-to-skate and learn-to-play-hockey sessions. Highlights include:
• Geothermal refrigeration and heating system
• Full-size NHL hockey arena (200’ x 85’)
• Seating for 860
• 4 visiting locker rooms
• 2 varsity locker rooms
• 3 officials locker rooms
• Welcome Center, large event space for 160-200 guests
• Multipurpose meeting or conference room overlooking the arena
• Electric Zamboni
Skiing & Tubing
Waterville Valley Resort is New Hampshire's Family Resort, offering a plethora of year-round family-friendly activities.
Experience the thrill of a 4,000-foot mountain with the convenience of a charming pedestrian ski village. Start your day with fresh corduroy on Tippecanoe and finish your evening with fireworks in Town Square. The village is set within a 500-acre self-contained valley and features shopping, dining, and après-ski, all just footsteps away from the resort’s lodging options.
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Waterville Valley Resort
1 Ski Area RdWaterville Valley Resort is New Hampshire's Family Resort, offering a plethora of year-round family-friendly activities.
Experience the thrill of a 4,000-foot mountain with the convenience of a charming pedestrian ski village. Start your day with fresh corduroy on Tippecanoe and finish your evening with fireworks in Town Square. The village is set within a 500-acre self-contained valley and features shopping, dining, and après-ski, all just footsteps away from the resort’s lodging options.
Big-mountain skiing at a small-mountain price. Cannon has the highest ski area summit in NH at 4080' and features diverse terrain across two mountains including the popular Tuckerbrook Family Area for beginners and families. Offers 10 lifts servicing 265 acres of skiing.
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Cannon Berg
Big-mountain skiing at a small-mountain price. Cannon has the highest ski area summit in NH at 4080' and features diverse terrain across two mountains including the popular Tuckerbrook Family Area for beginners and families. Offers 10 lifts servicing 265 acres of skiing.
New England's most accessible big-mountain skiing and riding features a 2,100-foot vertical drop and 61 trails across three peaks. Features exceptional terrain variety for the entire family, including a full progression of award-winning terrain parks.
WHAT'S NEW:
New Hampshire’s most powerful snowmaking system gets an upgrade this winter with all-new snowmaking pipes on the Flying Fox trial. The new pipes – which, along with the trail’s snow guns, were re-routed to the western edge of the trail - will drastically improve snowmaking efficiency and increase the amount of available early season terrain. Loon is also excited to announce it has expanded the deck of the Paul Bunyan Room, the resort’s legendary après hotspot, by more than 700 square feet. The new deck will give skiers and riders even more room to enjoy a cold après-ski beer after a day on the mountain.
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Loon Mountain Resort
60 Loon Mountain RdNew England's most accessible big-mountain skiing and riding features a 2,100-foot vertical drop and 61 trails across three peaks. Features exceptional terrain variety for the entire family, including a full progression of award-winning terrain parks.
WHAT'S NEW:
New Hampshire’s most powerful snowmaking system gets an upgrade this winter with all-new snowmaking pipes on the Flying Fox trial. The new pipes – which, along with the trail’s snow guns, were re-routed to the western edge of the trail - will drastically improve snowmaking efficiency and increase the amount of available early season terrain. Loon is also excited to announce it has expanded the deck of the Paul Bunyan Room, the resort’s legendary après hotspot, by more than 700 square feet. The new deck will give skiers and riders even more room to enjoy a cold après-ski beer after a day on the mountain.
BEST GROOMING IN THE EAST ... AGAIN!
Bretton Woods has once again earned the distinction of “Best Grooming in the East” by SKI Magazine for the sixth year in a row! We’re thrilled to celebrate this prestigious accolade and more eager than ever to welcome you to our award-winning slopes this winter!
Home to New Hampshire's largest ski area with 464 acres of alpine skiing and riding, 100 kilometers of Nordic trails, year-round canopy tours, a full-service spa, the historic Mount Washington Hotel, our premier destination offers a world-class retreat in the shadows of the Northeast’s highest peaks.
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Bretton Woods
99 Ski Area RdBEST GROOMING IN THE EAST ... AGAIN!
Bretton Woods has once again earned the distinction of “Best Grooming in the East” by SKI Magazine for the sixth year in a row! We’re thrilled to celebrate this prestigious accolade and more eager than ever to welcome you to our award-winning slopes this winter!
Home to New Hampshire's largest ski area with 464 acres of alpine skiing and riding, 100 kilometers of Nordic trails, year-round canopy tours, a full-service spa, the historic Mount Washington Hotel, our premier destination offers a world-class retreat in the shadows of the Northeast’s highest peaks.
Attraction
Clark's Bears, previously named Clark's Trading Post, is a visitor attraction in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains. It is known for its trained bears and for the White Mountain Central Railroad, a 30-minute, 2.5-mile steam-powered train ride.
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Clarks Trading Post Road
Clarks Trading Post RoadClark's Bears, previously named Clark's Trading Post, is a visitor attraction in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains. It is known for its trained bears and for the White Mountain Central Railroad, a 30-minute, 2.5-mile steam-powered train ride.
Whale's Tale Water Park is a 17-acre water park located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States. The park has a number of rides that the whole family can enjoy. Operating for more than 25 years, Whale's Tale has been pronounced the Best in Class Waterpark in America by Aquatics International magazine.
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Whale's Tale Waterpark
481 Daniel Webster HwyWhale's Tale Water Park is a 17-acre water park located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States. The park has a number of rides that the whole family can enjoy. Operating for more than 25 years, Whale's Tale has been pronounced the Best in Class Waterpark in America by Aquatics International magazine.
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway offers one of the most beautiful routes through New Hampshire's White Mountains, especially during the fall foliage season. A trip across the "Kanc" is a highlight for most visitors to the White Mountain National Forest. The 34 mile long scenic byway connects with the White Mountain Trail to make a loop.
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Kancamagus Highway
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway offers one of the most beautiful routes through New Hampshire's White Mountains, especially during the fall foliage season. A trip across the "Kanc" is a highlight for most visitors to the White Mountain National Forest. The 34 mile long scenic byway connects with the White Mountain Trail to make a loop.
The Notch Road is an 9 mile east–west one lane dirt road in Thornton and Sandwich that was established over two hundred years ago in 1801. During the early nineteenth century, Sandwich Notch Road was what Interstate 93 is to us today.
In summer and fall, there are many great hikes and mtn bike rides on trails in the notch. The notch itself is a great cyclocross bike ride or a car ride with clearance. It's single lane (find a place to pull over when another car comes along) with dips and rocks. The Notch used to be a thriving community so there are many cellar holes (house foundations) to find and try to visualize what life was like back then. A book or two was written about the notch so you may like to read and explore. Bring a plastic sled (snowboat) to slide down the rocks in the stream below Beede's falls (or wear out your shorts) and plunge into the small pool at the bottom. If you like exploring, you can easily spend a day in the Notch! In spring and winter the road is closed but you can snomobile, ski or snowshoe. One of the best is visiting Beedes falls in winter to see the ice cave that forms there. Hopefully no one has broken it open because it's best when there is just a small opening on the left and you crawl in to view the "winter lagoon", a magical ice palace in miniature!
Nineteenth century farmers who lived in northwestern New Hampshire and Vermont used the Notch Road to bring their products and livestock to coastal towns where they would sell them and purchase needed homestead supplies. At the time, the road through the Notch was a shortcut to the coast that saved farmers time and money. Can you imagine droves of livestock coming down this road? It must have been a sight to see!
Sandwich notch road
1072 New Hampshire 49
The Notch Road is an 9 mile east–west one lane dirt road in Thornton and Sandwich that was established over two hundred years ago in 1801. During the early nineteenth century, Sandwich Notch Road was what Interstate 93 is to us today.
In summer and fall, there are many great hikes and mtn bike rides on trails in the notch. The notch itself is a great cyclocross bike ride or a car ride with clearance. It's single lane (find a place to pull over when another car comes along) with dips and rocks. The Notch used to be a thriving community so there are many cellar holes (house foundations) to find and try to visualize what life was like back then. A book or two was written about the notch so you may like to read and explore. Bring a plastic sled (snowboat) to slide down the rocks in the stream below Beede's falls (or wear out your shorts) and plunge into the small pool at the bottom. If you like exploring, you can easily spend a day in the Notch! In spring and winter the road is closed but you can snomobile, ski or snowshoe. One of the best is visiting Beedes falls in winter to see the ice cave that forms there. Hopefully no one has broken it open because it's best when there is just a small opening on the left and you crawl in to view the "winter lagoon", a magical ice palace in miniature!
Nineteenth century farmers who lived in northwestern New Hampshire and Vermont used the Notch Road to bring their products and livestock to coastal towns where they would sell them and purchase needed homestead supplies. At the time, the road through the Notch was a shortcut to the coast that saved farmers time and money. Can you imagine droves of livestock coming down this road? It must have been a sight to see!
Widely known as the filming location for On Golden Pond, Squam Lake is a quieter summertime destination in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire that sits just south of the White Mountains and northwest of Lake Winnipesaukee. Squam Lake serves as a nesting site for loons, bald eagles, and great blue herons; it’s also home to a plethora of fish species, including trout, salmon, bass, pickerel, and perch. Dotted with about 30 islands and several unnamed islets, it drains via a channel into Little Squam Lake. There’s a sense of natural serenity here — but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. Squam is surrounded by four lively Lakes Region towns, ensuring that visitors will find plenty of things to do, places to stay, and eateries to check out.
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Squam Lake
Widely known as the filming location for On Golden Pond, Squam Lake is a quieter summertime destination in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire that sits just south of the White Mountains and northwest of Lake Winnipesaukee. Squam Lake serves as a nesting site for loons, bald eagles, and great blue herons; it’s also home to a plethora of fish species, including trout, salmon, bass, pickerel, and perch. Dotted with about 30 islands and several unnamed islets, it drains via a channel into Little Squam Lake. There’s a sense of natural serenity here — but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. Squam is surrounded by four lively Lakes Region towns, ensuring that visitors will find plenty of things to do, places to stay, and eateries to check out.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a fun and enlightening place for everyone to enjoy. Here at the Science Center, we house and exhibit many different wild animals, including river otters, mountain lions, bobcats, deer, bears, birds, foxes, and skunks. The wild animals at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center are ambassadors of their species, here for the purpose of educating our visitors about New Hampshire's natural world. Most are orphaned, injured, or otherwise unable to survive in the wild. Observing these animals up-close, together with experiencing our hands-on exhibits, offers visitors the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our native wildlife and appreciation of the natural world.
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Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
23 Science Center RdSquam Lakes Natural Science Center is a fun and enlightening place for everyone to enjoy. Here at the Science Center, we house and exhibit many different wild animals, including river otters, mountain lions, bobcats, deer, bears, birds, foxes, and skunks. The wild animals at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center are ambassadors of their species, here for the purpose of educating our visitors about New Hampshire's natural world. Most are orphaned, injured, or otherwise unable to survive in the wild. Observing these animals up-close, together with experiencing our hands-on exhibits, offers visitors the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our native wildlife and appreciation of the natural world.
Hiking
This is a great snowshoe hike (or any season hike), through a deep pine, 3 trail loop system. It’s also an easy, beautiful place for the kids, or for any of you who just need a day out. The whole loop comes out to about a little over 3 miles. It’s also great for cross country skiing. Just a really nice, clam place to un·wind.
It starts at the “Smarts Brook” trail head in Campton. Go on I-93, to exit 28. Head east about 5 miles on Rt. 29. When you get to the trail head, (“Smarts Brook”), pull in, and park. Then go right past the info sign, and walk into the forest, and turn left to start on the “Pine Flats” trail.
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Smarts Brook Trailhead
This is a great snowshoe hike (or any season hike), through a deep pine, 3 trail loop system. It’s also an easy, beautiful place for the kids, or for any of you who just need a day out. The whole loop comes out to about a little over 3 miles. It’s also great for cross country skiing. Just a really nice, clam place to un·wind.
It starts at the “Smarts Brook” trail head in Campton. Go on I-93, to exit 28. Head east about 5 miles on Rt. 29. When you get to the trail head, (“Smarts Brook”), pull in, and park. Then go right past the info sign, and walk into the forest, and turn left to start on the “Pine Flats” trail.
This half-mile hike to an open ledge provides a dramatic view of Franconia Notch framed by the ski slopes of Cannon Mountain on the right, Eagle Cliff, Mount Lafayette and the other peaks of The Franconia Ridge on the left and Echo Lake below. As its name suggests, Artists Bluff was a favorite spot among several influential painters in the late 1800s, including Edward Hill, artist- in-residence at the Profile House in Franconia Notch. The scene was a little different back then — the ski trails of Cannon Mountain had yet to be cut, the only buildings were those of the The Profile House, one of the earliest and most distinguished White Mountain resorts, and there was no Franconia Notch Parkway, only a carriage road and later The Profile and Franconia Notch Railroad which entered the Notch from the north to shuttle tourists to and from the resort. The forests of Franconia Notch, however, have not changed dramatically. Eighteenth century art from this vantage point brought the rugged beauty of Franconia Notch to a widespread and influential audience, helping to popularize the region and save its forests from sale to lumber companies in the 1920s.
To hike Artists Bluff, take exit 34C off I-93/US 3, a road known throughout the park as The Franconia Notch Parkway. The east trail head provides the most direct access to Artists Bluff and is located across the street from the Echo Lake Beach parking lot (fee may apply to park there in season). The path travels somewhat steeply over rock steps for a half mile to the lookout point. The west trail head is found on the edge of Cannon Mountain’s Peabody Slopes parking lot, just a little north on Rte 18. From either trail head you can complete a hiking loop that includes the summits of Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff, both with excellent views.
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Artist's Bluff Loop
2750 Profile RdThis half-mile hike to an open ledge provides a dramatic view of Franconia Notch framed by the ski slopes of Cannon Mountain on the right, Eagle Cliff, Mount Lafayette and the other peaks of The Franconia Ridge on the left and Echo Lake below. As its name suggests, Artists Bluff was a favorite spot among several influential painters in the late 1800s, including Edward Hill, artist- in-residence at the Profile House in Franconia Notch. The scene was a little different back then — the ski trails of Cannon Mountain had yet to be cut, the only buildings were those of the The Profile House, one of the earliest and most distinguished White Mountain resorts, and there was no Franconia Notch Parkway, only a carriage road and later The Profile and Franconia Notch Railroad which entered the Notch from the north to shuttle tourists to and from the resort. The forests of Franconia Notch, however, have not changed dramatically. Eighteenth century art from this vantage point brought the rugged beauty of Franconia Notch to a widespread and influential audience, helping to popularize the region and save its forests from sale to lumber companies in the 1920s.
To hike Artists Bluff, take exit 34C off I-93/US 3, a road known throughout the park as The Franconia Notch Parkway. The east trail head provides the most direct access to Artists Bluff and is located across the street from the Echo Lake Beach parking lot (fee may apply to park there in season). The path travels somewhat steeply over rock steps for a half mile to the lookout point. The west trail head is found on the edge of Cannon Mountain’s Peabody Slopes parking lot, just a little north on Rte 18. From either trail head you can complete a hiking loop that includes the summits of Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff, both with excellent views.
A good stop for food, restrooms and detailed information on Franconia Notch, the Flume Gorge Visitor Center is best known as the gateway to an amazing 800-foot long chasm with granite walls rising as high as 90 feet. For a fee, you can travel a two mile path from the Flume Visitor Center that takes you on boardwalks into the gorge and up close with waterfalls, flowers, ferns and mosses. Other attractions along the path include Sentinel Pool and Sentinel Pine Bridge, one of the oldest covered bridges in the state and built over the fallen Sentinel Pine, one of the largest trees in the state before falling across the Pemigewassett River in 1938. Shorter walking routes are available for those who don’t want to do the full loop. After the Society for the Protection of NH Forests helped the state purchase Franconia Notch in 1927, it maintained ownership of The Flume Gorge Reservation for 20 years, running it as a park. In 1947, the Flume Gorge became part of Franconia Notch State Park
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Flume Gorge
852 Daniel Webster HighwayA good stop for food, restrooms and detailed information on Franconia Notch, the Flume Gorge Visitor Center is best known as the gateway to an amazing 800-foot long chasm with granite walls rising as high as 90 feet. For a fee, you can travel a two mile path from the Flume Visitor Center that takes you on boardwalks into the gorge and up close with waterfalls, flowers, ferns and mosses. Other attractions along the path include Sentinel Pool and Sentinel Pine Bridge, one of the oldest covered bridges in the state and built over the fallen Sentinel Pine, one of the largest trees in the state before falling across the Pemigewassett River in 1938. Shorter walking routes are available for those who don’t want to do the full loop. After the Society for the Protection of NH Forests helped the state purchase Franconia Notch in 1927, it maintained ownership of The Flume Gorge Reservation for 20 years, running it as a park. In 1947, the Flume Gorge became part of Franconia Notch State Park
The Welsh-Dickey is one the most popular hikes in White Mountain National Forest, and for good reason. The challenging route offers beautiful views of Waterville Valley, and the surrounding area.
You’ll start at the Welsh-Dickey Trailhead off Orris Road. There is a $5 parking fee at the trailhead. This route can be done in either direction, but an overwhelming majority of people choose the counter-clockwise route on this page.
The first section gradually climbs, with some short steep sections over slabs. You’ll reach Welch Mountain first. Continue northward and you’ll eventually reach Dickey Mountain. After taking in the views, the trail veers westward, and there is a gradual decline back down to the parking area.
As with all the trails in the area, this hike is entirely different during winter. If you’re visiting from November - May, you’ll likely need traction devices, hiking poles, and experience with winter hiking.
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Welch-Dickey Trailhead
Orris RoadThe Welsh-Dickey is one the most popular hikes in White Mountain National Forest, and for good reason. The challenging route offers beautiful views of Waterville Valley, and the surrounding area.
You’ll start at the Welsh-Dickey Trailhead off Orris Road. There is a $5 parking fee at the trailhead. This route can be done in either direction, but an overwhelming majority of people choose the counter-clockwise route on this page.
The first section gradually climbs, with some short steep sections over slabs. You’ll reach Welch Mountain first. Continue northward and you’ll eventually reach Dickey Mountain. After taking in the views, the trail veers westward, and there is a gradual decline back down to the parking area.
As with all the trails in the area, this hike is entirely different during winter. If you’re visiting from November - May, you’ll likely need traction devices, hiking poles, and experience with winter hiking.
Rattlesnake Mtn Trailhead
Buffalo RoadSwimming
Echo Lake has been the centerpiece of tourism to Franconia Notch since the 1850s. The Profile House, a grand resort that once stood just south of the lake, operated a steam-powered paddle boat on its waters. Today, people explore the 38 acre lake in canoes and kayaks and still enjoy swimming and trout fishing just as visitors have for over a century-and-a-half. The beach on the north shore is operated by the NH State Park System and is a convenient place to enjoy these activities.
Adjacent to the beach you will find a plaque honoring Philip Wheelock Ayres, the first Forester of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. Ayres was a leading voice in the conservation movement; the plaque recognizes him for his role in the creation of both The White Mountain National Forsest and Franconia Notch State Park. Ayres publicized the deforestation of the White Mountains and organized influential groups to lobby congress for their protection. He also orchestrated a grass roots fundraising campaign to purchase Franconia Notch for the state in the 1920s, saving it from the lumber companies who were poised to buy it. The movement to save the Notch included US Veterans lobbying to preserve it as a war memorial, school children selling adoption certificates for trees in the forest, and The NH General Federation of Women’s Clubs adopting the cause as a civic duty. The result of Ayres’ efforts are visible today from this spot – Franconia Notch preserved as a State Park and hundreds of thousands of acres outside it federally managed as a National Forest.
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Echo Lake Beach
Echo Lake has been the centerpiece of tourism to Franconia Notch since the 1850s. The Profile House, a grand resort that once stood just south of the lake, operated a steam-powered paddle boat on its waters. Today, people explore the 38 acre lake in canoes and kayaks and still enjoy swimming and trout fishing just as visitors have for over a century-and-a-half. The beach on the north shore is operated by the NH State Park System and is a convenient place to enjoy these activities.
Adjacent to the beach you will find a plaque honoring Philip Wheelock Ayres, the first Forester of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. Ayres was a leading voice in the conservation movement; the plaque recognizes him for his role in the creation of both The White Mountain National Forsest and Franconia Notch State Park. Ayres publicized the deforestation of the White Mountains and organized influential groups to lobby congress for their protection. He also orchestrated a grass roots fundraising campaign to purchase Franconia Notch for the state in the 1920s, saving it from the lumber companies who were poised to buy it. The movement to save the Notch included US Veterans lobbying to preserve it as a war memorial, school children selling adoption certificates for trees in the forest, and The NH General Federation of Women’s Clubs adopting the cause as a civic duty. The result of Ayres’ efforts are visible today from this spot – Franconia Notch preserved as a State Park and hundreds of thousands of acres outside it federally managed as a National Forest.
A popular place to cool off and relax with a picnic on a hot summer day. The site has picnic tables and access to a large pool on the Mad River.
Take exit 28 off Interstate 93 onto NH Rte 49 toward Waterville Valley. Day use area is 3.75 miles on your right.
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Eddy Day Use Area
A popular place to cool off and relax with a picnic on a hot summer day. The site has picnic tables and access to a large pool on the Mad River.
Take exit 28 off Interstate 93 onto NH Rte 49 toward Waterville Valley. Day use area is 3.75 miles on your right.
Beede Falls is a 0.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Center Sandwich, New Hampshire that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from May until October. The trailhead is located on Sandwich Notch Road.
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Beede Falls
Beede Falls is a 0.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Center Sandwich, New Hampshire that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from May until October. The trailhead is located on Sandwich Notch Road.