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    Franconia Notch State Park

    4.7 (53 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Rachelle A.

    Went hiking today with some friends in the rain to see the Flume George trail..gotta say i think the rain made for a spectacular view. I was worried we wouldnt be able to see a whole lot of greenery since its October and it may have started to fade; but the falls were perfect and everything was so lush. We came at an earlier time so the fog rolled into the trails making everything so mystical and was great for some pictures. I even got to see a few landmarks and enjoy the overlooks of all the beautiful NH trees changing color. It was my first time today visiting NH and it was breathtaking; views from back home are not anything like this during the fall- i was so in love, Franconia Notch was definitely worth the visit. I look forward to coming back again. Little hint to those who plan to visit be prepared. Look at weather conditions for that day and plan adequately. Take lots of water, appropriate shoes, portable battery, appropriate coats/layers depending on season, and a couple light snacks if you need. And your camera. Also, there is a fee that isbeasier to pay for tickets once you get there- its on the state park website, it'll show you the appropriate fees and trails that are open during that time. Best of luck and good hiking!

    Basin
    Sara B.

    Fraconia Notch is a MUST. I'm a pretty avid biker and I like to bike whenever I travel. The bike trail at Fraconia Notch is probably the best trail that I've ridden on. Park by the Flume Gorge. There is a large parking lot with plenty of spaces. At the start of the trail there is a map that clearly outlines the trail. The entire ride is 18 miles RT. If you park by the gorge you'll hit the steepest part on the way up. It's pretty challenging and we definitely had to hop off our bikes here and there. But I think it's better to get the harder leg out of the way first, and because the entire stretch back is downhill you'll absolutely fly. The trail is clearly marked and you'll pass all of the hits along the way including the basin, the old man and the mountain and echo lake. After Echo Lake my suggestion is to turn around. Otherwise you'll bike a mile downhill (without much to see) just to bike uphill again. Instead we actually parked our bikes and hiked the Artist Bluff Trail. I totally suggest doing that if you are up for it! I'd also suggest stopping at Echo Lake for lunch and a rest. Because of Covid you'll need to make advanced reservations. The lake was all filled when we got there, but we were able to find a nice scenic lookout point to enjoy lunch. Speaking of lunch -- it's a long bike ride and there aren't food options along the way. Be sure to pack snacks and plenty of water. We ran out of water and luckily were able to snag some at the Echo Lake snack shop. Otherwise there would have been trouble. It was HAWT. If you park at the Flume you can take a tour of it before or after your bike ride, which I totally suggest. There are of course plenty of hiking trails (or you can hike the whole bike trail) but if you are into riding I strongly suggest bringing your bike. The scenery is breathtaking 100% of the time and I promise it's worth it.

    Shianne P.

    This place is beautiful. This is my second time in this area. We took the Falling Waters trail. There are some points where you are hugging some rocks and scaling them. There are spots where we had to come down using our butts. The waterfalls are beautiful. We did not go to the top because the wind gusts were reported to be up to 70 mph.

    Jim W.

    Do not be fooled, the visitor center might be closed but a great visit in spring hike on snow covered trails. Well marked and part of the flume walk was closed. worthy every step in these elevated trails. No bathroom facilities and no fee! Don't miss out on the amazing walk full of great vistas

    Jan R.

    This is a beautiful park to drive through or to hike at. We were on our way to Santas Village so we didn't take the time to do any hiking. It was also 11° out so we weren't inclined to be outside anymore than we knew we would be when we got to see in his village. But in every season this park is absolutely gorgeous. It's worth a drive just to go stop at the scenic areas and enjoy the view.

    Kaori M.

    Nice view...for New England. One the waterfall trail, you can see many falls, which is nice. Ridge trail between 3 peaks is also nice view. Minus point is too many people, so often there is congestion on the trail.

    Icy walls.
    Lisa T.

    This park is beautiful. We went during Christmas break and the park was covered in snow. We didn't hike the trains, but went the Basin (loved it). and poked around at the Flume Gorge. We will go again when the weather is warmer to see the rest of the park. Lovely views and it was not crowed (at least during the time we went).

    Amy G.

    All I can say is "WOW!". If you want a challenging day hike with a reward of beautiful scenery this trail is for you :). I was in awe once getting to the top where you have about 2 miles of stunning views as you walk along the ridge. To my coworker who told me the ridge was more or less flat- what a lie!!!! I was expecting to have a leisurely walk across this part of the trail but be prepared because there are three peaks you walk up and down to pass through. Pictures are deceiving- much hillier than it looks.

    Walking along the trail to flume gorge
    Britta S.

    We had a great time exploring FNSP this fall. It was crowded with tourists, but getting there in the morning was helpful to beat the long lines. When you stop for the aerial tram or the flume gorge, be sure to buy the discover pass for both locations to not only get a discounted combined ticket price but to skip the long wait lines when you get to the second location. At the aerial tram the lines moved quickly & they had big restrooms to use so the lines there weren't long either. Pro tip: wait for the tram at the gate so as soon as they're opened you can go to the back window as these are definitely the best viewing spots out the window. The trams pack in 75 people every 15 min, so you definitely don't want to be stuck in the middle. Once at the summit the trails to the radio tower are a leisurely walk & worth it for the views. There's also a cafe with limited menu, and we liked being able to grab a beverage while soaking in the views. Again, when you take the tram down be sure to get to the gate & then to the back window for the best views. At flume gorge we were glad we had gotten the combined tickets, because during peak leaf season the Saturday line wound it's way through the entire parking lot. We probably saved an hour and a half by getting the combined ticket. This park was a bit crowded at first, but the crowd really spreads out as you begin to walk around. It's a mild to moderate type of hike, so definitely available to all fitness levels. There's even a bus from the main lodge to the flume gorge if you are hesitant to walk it until you get there.

    Elizabeth L.

    Falling Waters Trail if you love hiking waterfalls - this is a dream come true. Three waterfalls reward hikers, each increasing with progressive charm and beauty. A moderate hike spanning 3 miles round trip, 1100 ft elevation gain well-paced, esp. moderate leading to the 2nd waterfall to let you warm up. Once you reach the third waterfall, climb a hundred feet to its top for spectacular views. Trail is in good condition, well-marked.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Franconia Notch State Park

    Is this hike possible to do w/ kids? My almost 5yo has been hiking since 3 & had 0 problem w/ any of them- they were flat & never over 6 mi!…

    It's a difficult hike , I've hiked Zion and this was harder than observation point Look at the elevation gain… Read more

    Is the basin accessible from highway or do you have to hike to it?

    There is an exit with a parking lot for the Basin. You have to hike from there to it but it's less than a half mile from the lot.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Franconia Notch State Park

    Ride the aerial tramway up to the top of Cannon Mountain and and climb to the top of the observation tower.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Lost River Gorge

    Lost River Gorge

    4.6(92 reviews)
    10.3 mi

    This was sooo much fun! We spent almost 2 hours here and loved reading the educational facts along…read morethe boardwalk and exploring the caves! There were so many beautiful areas along the boardwalk. The lemon squeezer and dungeon were the most difficult but also the most fun! We got a bit muddy and wet but that's all part of the adventure! We also loved the huge birds nest at the end and got a huge laugh out of pretending to be baby birds. I would definitely come back here again!

    Stumbled across Lost River when planning a trip to NH to see the fall foliage. I absolutely love…read morethe Flume Gorge trail & this one wasnt too far away. I had heard there were gorges & caves to explore different from other trails nearby along with beautiful pines and waterfalls. It exceeded all my expectations! It says this is a 1 mile loop hike but be prepared- I walk a 5k daily & this trail kicked my butt in a good way. It was moderately challenging- I went in the rain so it was a bit cooler too. The best advice I could offer is to take a backpack with snacks, another jacket just in case (although i layered up), pack rain pants to help keep me warm in the rain, and shoes with good traction. And plenty of water. Beanies may also be a good option to keep your head warm from the cold. And a portable battery. Also, if you haven't traveled with a car like me..then the Shuttle Connection is a life saver to travel in town. Way cheaper than Uber and fairly quick to transport you wherever you want to go. Also for travelers go back and forth to other states travel by bus is the perfect and most affordable way to travel. This trail offered amazing views, great photo ops, and plenty of additional trails to explore. They also make sure to keep everything maintained and safe for hikers exploring. Everything is well labeled and easy to follow. They do say and I can attest- travelers who have difficulty walking or have walkers etc..this may not be an ideal trail. Also, for younger children this may not be an kdela hike because of how extensive the elevation is. You are climbing a mountain and waterfall elevation. Make sure to look up details on their trail before you plan a trip. But well worth the hike :)

    Photos
    Lost River Gorge - The kids mined for rocks and crystals

    The kids mined for rocks and crystals

    Lost River Gorge
    Lost River Gorge

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    Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza - 06.10.23 Thanks to Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Old Man was also known as "The Great Stone Face"

    Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza

    4.7(6 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    The Old Man of the Mountain is (still) an iconic symbol for the State of NH [Franconia NH]…read more We had a bit of a challenge locating this place. It should've been easy just off Highway 93 (Exit 34B)... this rock formation on the top of Cannon Mountain was supposed to resemble a human's face above Profile Lake but is no longer there. If collapsed on May 2003 due to natural forces.. I did search for old photos of it from the internet... hmm, interesting! and, yes, that's the fabled stone face! The museum was closed at the time but I followed a nice paved trail, a scenic pathway to Profile Lake and The Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza. There at the end of the trail were a series of seven large steel rods which pointed towards the cliff where the Old Man once was... hmm, okaaaay, Instructions were posted near the rods. This monument allows a new and unique experience in viewing the Old Man of the Mountain. Here is the interactive instructions: FIND the granite stone engraved with the number closest to your height (3-7 feet) STAND on the engraved footprints on that stone SIGHT ALONG the profiler rod in front of you with one eye closed, and align the bumps on the side of the rod THE PROFILE WILL COME INTO VIEW just as it once was, high on the cliff There are a bunch of interesting reads on the plaza. Beautiful engraved granite pavers and benches too. Amazing views at Profile Lake. Review #3041

    It took many years to be created, countless man-hours to try and hold it up as long as possible…read more Some history: Back in 1805, surveyors working around Profile Lake on the first road that ran through Franconia Notch State Park noticed a man's profile on the edge of Cannon Cliff. As word spread of the natural profile of an old man, the area started becoming a summer destination for wealthy New Englanders, and several large hotels were built in the area. This included the Profile House, which used to stand in the area of the Tram Building and had around 800 rooms. As the Old Man watched tourists come and go, he became more and more famous. In 1955, the 150th anniversary of the Old Man of the Mountain discovery was celebrated which included a visit from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Three years after the celebration, a large crew spent most of their summer continuing to stabilize the rocks that made up the Old Man. Since then, countless man hours were spent keeping the Old Man of the Mountain intact On May 3, 2003, the report went out that the Old Man of the Mountain had fallen. It was a somber day for New Hampshire. Their oldest resident, the state emblem, had passed in his sleep Tip: Before heading down to see the Old Man of the Mountain, stop by the Old Man of the Mountain Museum and learn about how the Old Man was formed and other history surrounding this landmark. (ofcourse if you are interested) In order to see the Old Man once again, or for the first time, walk down to Profile Lake. Once you enter the Plaza, you will see a few interpretive signs and some strange-looking rods. Go over to them and you will see engraved stones on the ground labeled with different heights. Stand on the stone closest to your height and look up at the pole. You should be able to see the Old Man back on the side of Cannon Mountain!

    Photos
    Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza - 06.10.23 Profile Lake

    06.10.23 Profile Lake

    Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza
    Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza - 06.10.23 profiler rod

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    06.10.23 profiler rod

    Echo Lake State Park

    Echo Lake State Park

    4.5(30 reviews)
    27.6 mi

    What a beautiful and serene spot!…read more Echo Lake is approximately 15.7 acres. Two granite ledges called White Horse and Cathedral Ledge surround it. We went later in the afternoon so parking was ample. A short walk leads you to the picnic area and lake. It's about a 1 mile hike around the lake. The water was clear and cold. There were lots of mosquitoes at that hour. We enjoyed seeing the tadpoles in the water. My family enjoyed our time there and can't wait to go back to this picturesque spot!

    m a local to the state of NH about 1.5hr drive from this beautiful place…read moreWill recommend Will return Check the bacteria site before heading up to make sure its swim able I have state park plates so I went to New Hampshire State Parks website and made a reservation for this particular day in Wood State Park plates you pay one dollar which is your processing fee Without state Park plates, the entry fee is eight dollars per car I recommend making reservations on the website rather than just rolling up in person. They do have a large parking lot, but it seems to fill very quickly. The beach is very family oriented. You can rent canoes. You can rent kayaks. You can rent paddle boats. The fees are very reasonable. They have tubes. You can also purchase for a small fee of six dollars. The beach was not overcrowded. They have many hiking trails and areas around that area as well. They have charcoal grills that you can use up off the beach with some grassy area that you could also camp at. There is also a bathhouse there that's open as well as a small store There are no lifeguards it's a swim at your own risk Very very clean

    Photos
    Echo Lake State Park
    Echo Lake State Park
    Echo Lake State Park

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    Franconia Notch State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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