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    Lafayette Campground

    4.0 (25 reviews)

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    Lonesome Lake
    Tara B.

    Lafayette Campground is right in the center of Franconia Notch. From the center of the camp you can access some pretty great trails. My favorite one by far was Lonesome Lake. It's a short 1.4 mile trek that is fairly challenging and rewards you with an incredibly beautiful lake nestled in the mountains. I was a little hesitant about staying here because of it's size. The campground has 97 wooded sites and a store at the entrance. I went just before July 4th weekend and I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was. The sites are separated just enough to give you privacy. The only downfall is that it's right off of the highway so at night you can hear some pretty big trucks rumbling by. The campground's proximity to so many trails and attractions made up for it though. In addition to Lonesome Lake trail, we hiked down towards the Basin on the Pemi trail, which as the name suggests, follows the Pemigewasset River. There is also the short but beautiful Falling Waters Trail which begins right on the other side of the highway and can be accessed by way of a tunnel from the campground parking lot. You're also right near the Old Man on the Mountain. I have to admit though, while I was standing at Profile Lake with my friend, we both found it very hard to see the Old Man. Both of us had seen it a few years ago when we traveled to Echo Lake and didn't have any trouble making out the profile. After staring at it for twenty minutes this time around, we both came to the conclusion that the Old Man got a nose job. The trails I've already mentioned are all pretty easy but if you want to do a "REAL" hike you can easily get to the trailheads for Mt. Lafayette (5,260 ft.) and Mt. Lincoln (5.089 ft.) from here. The bathrooms at Lafayette were surprisingly clean and mostly bug free thanks to a screen door that slams shut behind you. They have showers there too! Each site comes with a fire ring and you can purchase wood from the camp store for $5 a bundle. Our wood was pretty moist and hard to get going but perseverance and an abundance of lighter fluid helped! The staff were incredibly nice and care free. I've been to other campgrounds where there are rangers on patrol to keep everyone in line. Lafayette is not like that at all. You'll be seduced by the river and want to stay next to the babbling creek (that's what we did) but the highway is right behind it. I recommend getting one of the sites in the back for an enjoyable camping experience. Overall, I give Lafayette two thumbs up.

    Campsite #42

    Yes, the highway noise is there, but easy to tune out. The campground was much smaller than it appeared online. We had no issues with our site (42) at all though slightly smaller than we are used to. The sites are a little close together for my liking, however there is enough trees and vegetation that it's not unbearable. We loved the location with the bike trail in either direction right outside the campground as well as the Pemi river to explore. If you are an avid hiker I imagine it would be a great site to start from. The facilities were fine and the showers were quite large. Overall very pleased. Wish we could have stayed longer

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    5 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Wonderful campground. By far the best that I have come across in New Hampshire to this date.

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    a little congested at certain sites. overall amazing outdoor vibes. lovely fires & hiking nearby!

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    17 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

    What a great camp ground. Very clean and wonderful views. This will be put on the yearly rotation list

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    Ask the Community - Lafayette Campground

    Review Highlights - Lafayette Campground

    The trail to Lonesome Lake was right next to our site- great hike and great lake!

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    Franconia Notch State Park

    Franconia Notch State Park

    4.7(53 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    Me entire family went hiking together and it was beautiful!! The views, the climb, the weather,…read moreeverything. It was never overly crowded, so we were able to make quick stops along the hike for a snack or to take pics or even just stop to take in the view without feeling like a disturbance to anyone trying to pass. Hiking around Flume Gorge was also pretty lengthy which made for a camera roll loaded with pictures and a tired Sophie by the end of it. :) Such a fun place to check out. W the amazing views and variety of different elevations on this hike! Highly recommend!

    Happy Earth Day again. You thought I was finished? HA!…read more Words fail to describe my love of Franconia. I am a Dartmouth alum - not one of the rich ones lmao so I did not have a car at college. If I did tho, you couldn't have pulled me away from the beauty of the White Mountains. I am however one of the old alums so I remember when there used to be an Old Man of the Mountain before his nose fell off lol. Anyways, this place has my entire heart and I only share it with people I trust. I took my friend here for a weekend getaway of rustic camping and hiking last April and I can safely say she also fell in love. We ran up and down I-93, I showed her the remnants of the Old Man, we stopped by the lake (lord it was cold), then we went to the Basin - beautiful in ALL seasons - and hiked a trail on-site. God I love Franconia so much. If you haven't gotten the chance to visit please make it a priority. It's stunning in all seasons! Things to know: -you can access The Basin from either side of 93. If on the far side you just need to cross under the overpass. -The Basin is paved. There are some stairs to get a closer look but it is largely accessible to view. -Still snow in some sections in late April - you're ok without spikes imo -parking was still free as of last year

    Photos
    Franconia Notch State Park
    Franconia Notch State Park - Honestly I look really good in chilly weather. Like skin and hair goes crazy.

    Honestly I look really good in chilly weather. Like skin and hair goes crazy.

    Franconia Notch State Park

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    The Flume Gorge

    The Flume Gorge

    4.6(194 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Located off of route 3 ( the Daniel Webster Highway) in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. An amazing…read moreplace to check out, in EVERY season! In the summer and fall there is an entrance fee of $18. There's a small entrance area, that has a ticket hut, similar to a fair or fun park. In the winter and spring... free, if you dare hike in on your own. I would suggest snow shoes or micro spikes, maybe even crampons. It's about a two mile trek, and you can do it, either counter clockwise or clockwise. We did it backward, mid winter. It was so awesome. You could hear the water rushing fast and cold, under the snow. Be very careful with your footing, while making your way through this hike! The covered bridges are beautiful, again , in every season, but there is something so special about hiking with a snow-globe effect. The colors in fall, are also a must see. In summer and fall, the tourists are not easy to get through. They clog the area entirely and there is very little room to get around. The trail has a visitor area that has lots of information about the park and the area. It has nice and clean restrooms, that are accessible. The parking lot is very large, and a small bridge over the water way makes it handicapped accessible as well. The busy season sees some snacks and drinks in the area if need be. There's a half way mark, with another little place, that has bathrooms, as well. It's a really wonderful place to spend a few hours. No dogs allowed, which is a bit of a bummer to be honest, but I guess I understand why. If you're in the area, I suggest you stop, especially if you've never visited it before !!

    I only visit New Hampshire once a year and I always like to take the hike through the Flume!…read moreWhat's nice is that even if it's a hot sunny summer day that inside the flume you're shaded from the sun by the trees and the formations so it makes for a nice little hike! The one time I did go in cooler weather was early October and that time there was the abundance of leave changing colors to be seen so that also another good time to visit.

    Photos
    The Flume Gorge
    The Flume Gorge - Savoring the view

    Savoring the view

    The Flume Gorge - Getting ready for the hike.

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    Getting ready for the hike.

    Lonesome Lake Trail - Lonesome Lake

    Lonesome Lake Trail

    4.1(7 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Lonesome Lake is a MUST. Our server at dinner suggested this hike and I am so glad that she did…read more.. always pays to ask a local expert! There is a small parking lot at the base (park next to the Lafayette Campground). My suggestion is to arrive early because it fills up. Plus it's always better to battle an uphill hike early anyways. Most of the hike is shaded, but be warned that it's pretty steep. You'll need to climb uphill for at least two miles before you reach the lake. Luckily the payoff is beautiful and you get to hike downhill the entire way back. #WORTHIT Once at the top you'll immediately have beautiful views of the lake, but make sure that you keep walking for another 10-15 minutes up the narrow trail. That will eventually lead you to a wider boardwalk area where you can lay out some towels, enjoy snacks and drinks and jump right into the lake. I'm glad we packed towels and beers because after the long steep hike I was more than happy to chill out with a drink. I honestly could've stayed all day and been content. Definitely add this hike to your list if you are in the area!

    How I have I not gushed about Lonesome Lake yet?! This was by far the best hike of our trip. The…read moreuphill hike is steep and a bit tough, but the payoff at the top is so worth it. We were visiting Littleton beginning of November and spent our whole Saturday on different trails. We got to Lonesome Lake a little later in the afternoon. The parking lot was nearly full when we got there but the trails really didn't seem that crowded at all. The entire hike up is all uphill, but not too challenging. But once you see the lake at the top?? So incredibly worth the sore legs. It seriously feels unreal or from a photograph when you first see it. It was partly covered in ice but we were so heated up from the uphill trek. This lake must be pretty wonderful in the summer months when you are just drenched from the hike up and can cool off by jumping in the lake. Little tip, be sure to wander a little further once you get to the lake. You'll see a trail with wooden planks. We basically made our own little outcove off of the trail by the water so I am not sure what is alllll the way farther down that trail. We got there on the late side and didn't want to make the hike down in the dark so we only stayed for about an hour, but I honestly could have spent the whole day there. Bring snack, drinks, anything to make a supremely cozy stay at the top. If you are looking for the perfect hike, ya found it.

    Photos
    Lonesome Lake Trail - The hike up

    The hike up

    Lonesome Lake Trail
    Lonesome Lake Trail

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    Lost River Gorge

    Lost River Gorge

    4.6(92 reviews)
    8.9 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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    Mount Lafayette

    Mount Lafayette

    4.7(3 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I hiked here twice. One in summer, one in winter. Both are differently nice. Summer I did Franconia…read moreloop, which is a good view, but a little crowded. In winter, I did just Lafayette from Greenleaf. It is tough, but winter view is pretty. I think this is top-ranked for New England hikes.

    We hiked this yesterday (fourth of July). We arrived at about 7am - parking lot was maybe 1/5th…read morefull and we were able to park right by the trail head. We took falling waters trail up and old bridal trail down. The views were spectacular, I highly recommend this hike - the reward is high both in the views and the glute workout! This hike took us about 6 hours in including the extra hour we had to hike when we made a wrong turn at the peak. Crowds weren't a huge problem for us. Hike was difficult, but doable. I hike a couple times a summer and workout a lot so I am in pretty good shape. Tips: 1. Wear sunscreen and bring a hat/sunglasses (you start off hiking in the woods under shade cover but once you hit above tree line you are in the sun for a significant amount of time) 2. Bugs: There are black flies once you hit above tree line - a lot of them. I ended up putting my long sleeve on to try to avoid them which helped a little. If you hike fast they won't bite you. I had some bug spray on from the parking lot but it either washed off (from the sweat storm I was) or didn't work. 3. DO follow the signs. We took the wrong trail down from the peak of Mt. Lafayette and ended up having to hike an extra hour BACK up to the peak so we could then take bridal down. DO NOT DO THIS, I was at a breaking point and out of water. 4. Water, water, water. I had three water bottles and all were gone by the time I reached Mt. Lafayette Peak. It was a hot day (93 on the ground). There is a hut that you pass on old bridal trail about 1.1 miles from lafayette peak where you can fill up your water bottle for free, use the restroom, and buy goodies. It was a savior! 5. Wear good footwear. There are LOTS of rocks you need to jump on, crawl up, maneuver around. Having good traction was extremely important on this hike!

    Photos
    Mount Lafayette
    Mount Lafayette - Views from the ridge

    Views from the ridge

    Mount Lafayette

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    Lafayette Campground - hiking - Updated May 2026

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