Ready for the crisp air of New Hampshire in the fall? In this quaint state, autumn isn’t just a season; it’s a full-blown color explosion. Forget about pumpkin spice lattes; here, the flavor of choice is maple and you won’t be lacking for options. So, grab your flannel, dust off your best leafy puns, and get ready for a guide that’s more golden than the leaves covering the scenic Kancamagus Highway. Welcome to fall, where the only thing falling faster than the temperature is your jaw at the sight of this beautiful fall wonderland.

Best Time to Visit the WHITE MOUNTAINS

Fall is the top time to visit new Hampshire so you can see the beautiful fall foliage. Summer and Spring are also great times to visit. Temperatures are mild making it a perfect time to hike in comfortable temperatures.

How Much Time Do You Need in the white mountains

A long weekend is perfect, but you can easily spend more or less time here. Three days will give you enough time to see the highlights, enjoy some stunning hikes, and eat some solid meals. If hiking isn’t your jam, you can easily spend less time in the area.

HIKE

Artist’s Bluff + Bald Mountain
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: roughly 1 hour 
A short and sweet hike with an awesome view. Don’t be fooled by the low mileage, this hike will kick your butt. You’ll be breathless not only from the views, but also the uphill. After hiking up to Artist’s Bluff, you have the option to hike back down the way you came or continue the hike to Bald Mountain. We highly recommend heading out to Bald Mountain. We had the viewpoint entirely to ourselves for most of the time we were there. You will walk up exposed rock and the pinnacle can be a bit windy, but it’s definitely worth it.

We went at 4 pm on a weekday and it was crowded. During peak foliage season (and a bit before and after) expect crowds, even at sunrise, so you’re not disappointed. The hike to Artist’s Bluff felt like a Disney World attraction where you’re following the crowd and have zero solitude. Once you get past Artist’s Bluff, the trek to Bald Mountain is pretty empty. On the plus side, the peaks have plenty of room to spread out, so you should be able to find a spot to re-hydrate and take in the view.

Mt. Willard
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2 hours
This hike has a steady incline the entire way up, leading to another breathtaking viewpoint. There are a few stream crossings and some stops for a small waterfall and a natural pool. We went at 7 am on a weekday in fall and saw a couple people, but had the trail mainly to ourselves

Lincoln Woods
A nice, flat, super easy trail makes for a good recovery day. Follow the river to a waterfall, or go as far as you like and turn around to start your journey back. While this trail isn’t anything spectacular, it’s a good way to get some steps in and the fall coloring makes everything feel special. Don’t miss the suspension bridge – we went at 7 am one morning to get pictures and had the bridge to ourselves. When we returned later in the day to go hiking, it was extremely crowded and it would have been impossible to get pictures without anyone in them. If you don’t feel like paying the $5 parking for the lot, park on the street before you hit the bridge.

ACTIVITIES

Flume Gorge
$18 if you preorder tickets online or $21 in person
Hours: May 12 – October 9,  9 am – 5 pm, October 9 – 22, 9 am – 4 pm
Flume Gorge is a mini hike with a lot of uphills. Nestled in the heart of Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountains of New Hampshire you’ll find Flume Gorge. Carved by the forces of nature over millions of years, this narrow, 800-foot gorge features walls rising up to 70 feet tall. As you traverse the well-maintained boardwalk that winds through the gorge, prepare to be enchanted by the roar of the rushing water below. The falling leaves throughout the gorge add a mystical quality that makes you truly appreciate being right where you are.

Unlike other gorges, the trail back to the starting point is a beautiful walk through the woods. Slowly meander through fall foliage and take in the view from various viewpoints. If you’d like to beat the crowds, go as early as you can and try to snag the first reservation slot. While you don’t need reservations, during peak season, it does sell out.

Drive Kancamagus Highway
The scenic Kancamagus highway is a must do for your New Hampshire visit. Visit as early as possible on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Leaving the area on a sunny Sunday when the foliage was nearly at peak, it took 25 minutes to drive .25 miles. Mentally allocate some extra time for traffic. 

The Basin
Just down the road from Flume Gorge is The Basin. Take a quick five minute walk to a cool rock formation or extend your walk further and explore some of the trails in this area. There is also an accessible viewing platform that overlooks The Basin.

Stops, lookouts, and short walks – oh my!
When completing this drive, we took about six hours between the overlooks, shorts hikes, and food breaks. We stayed in Lincoln and drove to Conway, then back again.

Lookouts
Check out these lookouts to see various views of the mountains. Each lookout has a slightly different angle, so you’ll have a unique view at each of the four stops. The first two stops are on one side of the highway, and the latter two stops are on the other side. So if you’re driving between Lincoln and Conway, we recommend visiting the Hancock and Pemigewesset Overlooks on your way to Conway and stopping at the CL Graham Wangan and Sugar Hill.

Stops
Each of these stops will take about 15 – 20 minutes to explore. Each stop also has its own parking lot. It’s $5 to park for the day and includes all stops, or you can use an America the Beautiful pass. The top stops are:

– Lincoln Woods + Suspension Bridge
– Sabbaday Falls
– Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
– Lower Falls
– Albany Covered Bridge

Driving south to your next destination? Why not break up the drive with some short walks. These two suggested stops are just a few minutes off the highway and offer a nice little break to split up the drive.

Sculptured Rocks
About an hour south of the White Mountains, you’ll run into the Sculptured Rocks. Drive along a dirt road for five minutes before you hit the parking area. Cross the street from the parking lot and walk to your right and boom! Sculptured Rocks. Walk over the wooden bridge to take in the full view. You can also go swimming in certain areas here. In the parking lot, there are portapotties available. 

Madame Sherri’s 
Drive two more hours south and you’ll hit Madame Sherri’s Forest. Madame Sherri, a french costume designer from the early 1900s, lived here with her husband, hosting lavish parties. You can see interesting ruins of her house as well as a stairway. There is also an easy trail you can follow past the ruins and around a pond. This forest is dog friendly!

NOT DONE TRAVELING?

Check out our guides of nearby areas:
Things to do near New Haven
Ultimate Guide to New York City
Perfect Fall Day in New Jersey