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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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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… 

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.

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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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Bald Mountain/artists Bluff

Bald Mountain/artists Bluff

4.8(10 reviews)
0.9 mi

Everyone recommended this hike to us, and for good reason! It's relatively easy (I fell twice, but…read moreI do that a lot), quick and the payoff from the top is spectacular. It's also pretty beautiful along the way. There is a parking lot just a minute before the trails begin, you can park there and walk to find the sign for Artist's Bluff. We didn't take the detour for Bald Mountain, but you'll see the sign for it and apparently it's just a loop so you should be able to do that and then continue on to Artist's Bluff! We stopped a few times, whenever we found a small viewpoint. It's mostly uphill but not hard or steep at all. The view from the top is pretty great when you first see it. It's a big open area where you can sit, relax and soak up the sun and the scenery. It overlooks a big lake and some amazing foliage. We went on a really beautiful day in November so the trails were pretty busy but never overly crowded. The way down is pretty steep but I am not a serious hiker whatsoever and it was totally fine. I did take a slightly nasty spill but I am an extremely clumsy person so you can't blame the mountain. I think the whole hike took us about 2.5 hours and that's mostly because we just couldn't bring ourselves to leave the viewpoint. If you're planning a few hikes, I really recommend this one be on the list.

This was a cool hike up. We parked in the parking lot that was right at the midpoint where you can…read morego left or go right. It was muddy as heck that day, so I would recommend not going that route because once we were done with the climb, we noticed that there was literally a shortcut at the bottom to the main road with a parking lot across the street, so there was no need for that extra hike to get to the climb. You're welcome!

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Bald Mountain/artists Bluff - Nice Beautiful mountain around here

Nice Beautiful mountain around here

Bald Mountain/artists Bluff
Bald Mountain/artists Bluff

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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(7 reviews)
0.0 mi

Stopped here for the first time in maybe 15 years. Hiking path is super well maintained and clean…read more Boyfriend is not into hiking but I must convince him to come back with me... it's very interesting.

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

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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

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - Bottom of the tramway

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway

4.2(23 reviews)
0.1 mi

Fun time! All staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, especially Ruth! Will definitely be back…read morenext year.

Fun Fact: The first passenger aerial tramway in North America began operation on this site in 1938…read more Of all the things to do in Franconia Notch State Park, taking a ride in the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is one of the most unforgettable ways to see the park! a single cabin can carry up to 80 passengers, and the fee is $25 PP both ways. Take a scenic eight-minute ride in one of two enclosed cable cars to the 4,200-foot summit of Cannon Mountain. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of the distant valleys, mountains, Echo Lake, and black bears (no we did not find any, but the guide said so :P ) Also, you'll be able to view parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, and Canada! Once at the summit you can hang out on the outdoor deck that overlooks the mountains or grab lunch & drinks at Cafe 4080 that's located next to the air tram. Fee: $25 PP but make an online reservation, Time is allotted and if you are late, you would have to wait for another cabin and if that is full, then wait for another cabin. our time slot was 2:!5, we reached 2:30, they stopped us and at 3:15 - there were few spots, so then they allowed us. so be mindful

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Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway  - hiker tickets available at Counter 10/2016

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - hiker tickets available at Counter 10/2016

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway rates 10/2016

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway rates 10/2016

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway - Summit Cafe Menu left 10/2016

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Summit Cafe Menu left 10/2016

Franconia Notch State Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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