The best things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are the Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch (the Flume Gorge and Echo Lake), Mount Washington by the Auto Road or the Cog Railway, Crawford Notch's waterfalls, and a handful of old-school family attractions in Lincoln, Rumney, Glen and Jefferson. Almost all of it sits within an hour of I-93 or Route 16, and most of it is open from mid-May to late October. Two things changed for 2026: the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is closed for replacement, and several attractions close earlier than they used to, so check the season notes below before you drive up.
We sell homes in Campton, Thornton, Waterville Valley and Lincoln, so this is the list we give friends and clients when they ask what to do in the White Mountains, or which attractions in the White Mountains are worth the drive. It covers the big attractions, the free scenery, waterfalls and swimming holes, glamping and camping, what each season is good for, sample itineraries, and what it looks like to own a home base here.
If you want a narrower list, we have separate guides to things to do in Lincoln NH, hiking near Waterville Valley, ski resorts in New Hampshire and the New Hampshire fall foliage guide. For the rest of the state, see things to do in New Hampshire.
The top White Mountains attractions at a glance
| Attraction | Where | Best for | 2026 season note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kancamagus Highway | Lincoln to Conway (Route 112) | Scenic drive, waterfalls, swimming | Open year-round; no gas or food along the route |
| Flume Gorge | Franconia Notch, Lincoln | A 2-mile gorge walk | Open May 8 to October 25, 2026 |
| Mount Washington Auto Road | Pinkham Notch, Route 16 | Driving to the summit | Mid-May to late October, weather permitting |
| Mount Washington Cog Railway | Bretton Woods side, Route 302 | Train to the summit | Summit trips through October 25, 2026 |
| Crawford Notch State Park | Route 302, Hart's Location | Waterfalls, the Willey House site | Trails open year-round |
| Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves | Kinsman Notch, North Woodstock | Caves and boardwalks | Open daily in the 2026 season |
| Polar Caves Park | Rumney | Caves for younger kids | Mid-May to mid-October |
| Clark's Bears | Lincoln | Bear show and train ride | Weekends through October 11, 2026 |
| Conway Scenic Railroad | North Conway | Train through Crawford Notch | Fall and holiday trains running |
| Story Land / Santa's Village | Glen / Jefferson | Young kids | Story Land weekends through Oct. 25; Santa's Village into December |
Scenic drives
The Kancamagus Highway
If you only have one afternoon, drive the Kancamagus. Route 112 runs from Lincoln to Conway over Kancamagus Pass, which tops out at 2,855 feet, and the mountain section is about 32 miles with no gas stations, restaurants or cell service you can count on (Wikipedia). Fill the tank in Lincoln or Conway first.
The stops worth pulling over for, west to east:
- Pemi Overlook and the Hancock Overlook on the climb out of Lincoln, for the long view across the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
- Kancamagus Pass, the high point, and the overlooks on either side of it.
- Sabbaday Falls, a short, easy walk to a narrow flume and a series of pools. No swimming here.
- Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge, the two classic places to get in the Swift River.
- Albany Covered Bridge near the Conway end.
Most parking areas along the Kanc are White Mountain National Forest fee sites, and an unattended car needs a recreation pass displayed where signs say so. Passes are sold on site and at the visitor centers; check the current price on the White Mountain National Forest site before you go. On peak foliage weekends in early October, the Kanc backs up badly in both directions. Drive it early in the morning or on a weekday.
Franconia Notch Parkway
I-93 narrows to two lanes through Franconia Notch, so the parkway itself is a scenic drive. Exits lead to the Flume, the Basin, the Old Man of the Mountain historic site, Cannon and Echo Lake. The Franconia Notch Recreation Path runs the length of the notch, separate from the highway, and it's one of the best family bike rides in the state.
Crawford Notch and Route 302
Route 302 from Bretton Woods down through Crawford Notch to Bartlett is the other great drive, and quieter than the Kanc. The road drops through the notch past the Willey House site, Frankenstein Cliff and the trailheads for Arethusa and Ripley Falls. Add the Mount Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods as a stop for the porch view.
Pinkham Notch and Route 16
Route 16 north from Jackson climbs into Pinkham Notch, past the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road, Wildcat Mountain and the AMC's Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Link all three notches and the Kanc and you have a long full-day loop.
Franconia Notch: the Flume, the tram and Echo Lake
Flume Gorge
The Flume is an 800-foot granite gorge with walls 70 to 90 feet high (Wikipedia), walked on a loop of boardwalks, stairs and gravel paths. The main trail is about 2 miles and takes about an hour and a half (NH State Parks). For 2026, the visitor center is open May 8 through October 25, and adult tickets are $18 online or $21 at the gate; children 6 to 12 are $16 online or $19 at the gate. Tickets come with an arrival window, and on summer and foliage weekends the walk-up slots sell out. Book ahead.
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (closed in 2026)
The tram most visitors remember is gone. Tram II made its last run on October 26, 2025, after 45 years, and a third-generation tram is in design. The state says it is not operating in 2026 (NH State Parks), and no opening date has been announced. Cannon still runs as a ski area in winter, and you can hike to the summit observation tower.
Echo Lake and the Basin
Echo Lake sits at the foot of Cannon, with a state-park beach for swimming and paddling and Cannon Cliff above it. It's one of the few lake beaches in the notches, and the water is cold even in August. North of the Flume, the Basin is a free roadside stop: a deep granite pothole carved by the Pemigewasset River, a few minutes' walk from the parking lot.
Mount Washington: the Auto Road, the Cog and the weather
At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast, and you can reach the summit three ways: hike, drive or ride.
Mount Washington Auto Road
The Mt. Washington Auto Road climbs about 7.6 miles from Route 16 in Pinkham Notch to the summit. It opened in 1861 and climbs 4,618 feet at an average grade of 11.6 percent (Wikipedia). You can drive your own car or take a guided tour van. The road usually opens in mid-May and closes in late October, and it closes partway up or entirely when the summit weather turns. Check the road's site for the day's status and current rates before you go.
The drive down is the hard part. Use a low gear the whole way and don't ride the brakes.
Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Cog Railway is the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. It started carrying passengers in 1868, reached the summit in 1869, and climbs about 3 miles at an average grade over 25 percent and a maximum of 37 percent (Wikipedia). A summit trip takes about three hours round trip, including an hour at the top.
For 2026, summit trips run from May 2 to October 25, with hourly biodiesel trains and steam excursions on some days. From October 26, 2026 into early May 2027, trains run to Waumbek Station at 4,000 feet instead of the summit (The Cog).
The weather on top
Plan for a different climate up there. The Mount Washington Observatory recorded a gust of 231 mph on April 12, 1934, still the fastest wind measured by a staffed weather station (Mount Washington Observatory). On a warm July day in the valley, the summit can be in fog, 40 degrees and blowing hard. Bring a jacket even if you're only driving up, and check the Observatory's higher-summits forecast before you hike.
Crawford Notch: waterfalls and history
Crawford Notch State Park covers 5,775 acres along Route 302. The Willey House site marks the August 1826 landslide that killed the Samuel Willey family as they fled their house, which the slide left standing (Wikipedia). It's where most people stop first.
The waterfalls are the reason to stay longer:
- Arethusa Falls, about 140 feet, one of the tallest in New Hampshire. The Arethusa Falls Trail is 1.5 miles each way with a steady climb (Wikipedia).
- Ripley Falls, a shorter hike to a long, sliding cascade.
- Frankenstein Cliff, where the trail passes under the railroad's Frankenstein Trestle.
The park's Dry River Campground has 36 sites at $35 a night, open May 23 to October 24 in the current season, per the state park page.
Family attractions: caves, bears, trains and theme parks
The White Mountains still have a cluster of family-run attractions that have been going for decades. These are the ones worth the ticket.
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves (North Woodstock)
In Kinsman Notch, about 5 miles west of North Woodstock on Route 112, the Lost River disappears under a jumble of glacial boulders. The Forest Society owns the land, and the gorge is leased to an operator that runs the boardwalk and caves (Wikipedia). There's about a mile of boardwalk and 11 boulder caves to crawl through, plus a treehouse adventure trail (Lost River Gorge). It's more of a workout than the Flume, with a lot of stairs.
Polar Caves Park (Rumney)
Polar Caves, just west of Plymouth on Route 25, has nine granite talus caves connected by boardwalks, a boulder maze and a small animal park. A Plymouth High School student found the caves in 1922, and the first tour ran in 1923 (Wikipedia). The deepest cave stays cold enough to hold snow into summer, which is how it got the name. It's open roughly mid-May to mid-October, and it's the easiest cave visit for younger kids.
Clark's Bears and Whale's Tale (Lincoln)
Clark's Bears on Route 3 in Lincoln is the trained black bear show, the White Mountain Central Railroad, and an hour or two of old-fashioned roadside fun. For 2026 it's open weekends through October 11.
Across the road, Whale's Tale Waterpark has a wave pool, lazy river and slides. Note that it closed its 2026 season on August 30, earlier than usual, so plan it for July and August.
Conway Scenic Railroad (North Conway)
The Conway Scenic Railroad runs from an 1874 Victorian station in North Conway Village. The short Valley Train is an 11-mile round trip, about an hour. The Mountaineer is the one to take: a 4 to 4½ hour trip up through Crawford Notch and across the Frankenstein Trestle. In late October and through the holidays it runs Halloween and Santa trains.
Story Land (Glen) and Santa's Village (Jefferson)
These are the two theme parks for young children. Story Land in Glen, just north of North Conway, runs weekends after Labor Day through October 25 in 2026, plus Columbus Day (Lakes Region Tourism). Santa's Village in Jefferson is Christmas-themed, open from spring weekends through the summer and back in November and December for the holiday season. Its rides are built for small kids riding with their parents.
Waterfalls and swimming holes
The White Mountains are full of waterfalls, and you can walk to most of the good ones in under an hour.
| Waterfall | Where | Walk | Swimming? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabbaday Falls | Kancamagus Highway | Short and easy | No |
| Lower Falls | Kancamagus Highway, Albany | Roadside | Yes, popular |
| Diana's Baths | West Side Road, Bartlett | About 0.6 mile each way | Wading in the pools |
| Arethusa Falls | Crawford Notch | 1.5 miles each way, climbing | No |
| Ripley Falls | Crawford Notch | Short but steep | No |
| The Basin | Franconia Notch | Five minutes | No |
| Livermore Falls | Route 175, Campton | Short walk | Yes, with caution |
For swimming, the classics are Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge on the Kanc (Rocky Gorge is for looking, not jumping), Diana's Baths near North Conway for wading, and the Pemigewasset River at Livermore Falls in Campton, a short drive from our office. The river is cold all summer, and currents above any falls are strong after rain. Swim below the falls, not above them, and stay out after a storm.
Diana's Baths is a National Forest site, and the lot fills by mid-morning on summer weekends. Arrive early or go on a weekday.
White Mountains activities by season
| Season | What's good | What's closed or tricky |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (June to August) | Swimming holes, the Auto Road and Cog, Whale's Tale, Echo Lake, hiking above treeline, bike paths | Crowds at the Flume and Diana's Baths on weekends; book ahead |
| Fall (September to mid-October) | Foliage on the Kanc and the notches, Conway Scenic, the Cog, Story Land and Clark's on weekends | Traffic on peak weekends; many attractions close by late October |
| Winter (December to March) | Skiing at Loon, Cannon, Waterville Valley, Bretton Woods and Attitash; snowshoeing; the Cog to Waumbek Station; Santa's Village in December | The Auto Road and most summer attractions are closed; Mount Washington is serious mountaineering terrain |
| Spring (April to May) | Waterfalls at full flow, spring skiing, quiet towns, lower lodging prices | Mud season on trails; many attractions open only in mid-May |
Glamping and camping in the White Mountains
Glamping in the White Mountains has gone from one resort to a handful of good options. Seasons and availability change from year to year, so confirm dates and book directly with each operator.
Huttopia White Mountains (Albany)
Huttopia White Mountains is the biggest glamping site in the region, on 50 acres on Iona Lake in Albany, just south of the Kancamagus near Conway. You choose from canvas "ready-to-camp" tents (some with private bathrooms and kitchens), wooden chalets with wood stoves, tiny houses and wagons. It has a heated pool, a private beach on the lake with kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a café with a food truck and pizza oven. The 2026 season runs May 14 to October 18.
Alpine Garden Camping Village & Winery (Bartlett)
Alpine Garden is a small glamping village on Route 302 in Bartlett, on the grounds of a working winery. It has rustic cabins, compact pods, dome-roofed "hobbit homes," a treehouse and a few tent sites, plus a heated pool that's open May through October. The winery is open Thursday through Monday year-round. Pets aren't allowed.
Hub North (Gorham)
Hub North in Gorham, at the foot of the Northern Presidentials, has furnished yurts and bell tents with a shared kitchen and bathhouse, plus lodge rooms. It's open year-round and sits next to a large network of mountain bike trails.
Lumen Nature Retreat (Woodstock)
Lumen, in Woodstock near Lincoln, has Nordic-style cabins and A-frame and safari tents set along a brook, with private fire pits and saunas (Boston Globe). Its cabins are booked through vacation-rental platforms rather than a single booking page, so check availability there.
Traditional camping
If you'd rather pitch a tent, the national forest runs six campgrounds along the Kancamagus, and the state runs Lafayette Place Campground in Franconia Notch (97 tent sites) and Dry River in Crawford Notch. These fill months ahead for summer and foliage weekends.
Sample itineraries
One day in the White Mountains
- Morning: Flume Gorge at opening (book the earliest arrival window), then the Basin.
- Late morning: Lunch in Lincoln, and fill the gas tank.
- Afternoon: Drive the Kancamagus east. Stop at the Pemi and Hancock overlooks, Kancamagus Pass, Sabbaday Falls and Lower Falls.
- Evening: Dinner in North Conway. If you're heading back south, Route 16 to Route 25 is the quick way home.
Three days in the White Mountains
Day 1: Franconia Notch and Lincoln. The Flume in the morning, the recreation path or a swim at Echo Lake in the afternoon, then Clark's Bears or Lost River Gorge if you have kids. Stay in Lincoln or Woodstock.
Day 2: The Kanc and Mount Washington Valley. Drive the Kancamagus early, before the traffic. Spend the afternoon in North Conway: Diana's Baths, the Conway Scenic Valley Train, or the outlets. Stay in North Conway, Jackson or Bartlett, or at a glamping site in Albany or Bartlett.
Day 3: Mount Washington and Crawford Notch. Take the Auto Road up Pinkham Notch, or loop around to Bretton Woods for the Cog. Come back through Crawford Notch on Route 302 and hike to Arethusa Falls if you have the legs. Head home by way of Route 3 and I-93.
For a long weekend with young kids, swap Day 3 for Story Land or Santa's Village.
Owning a home base in the White Mountains
Most people who come up every few weeks start to think about buying. A house near I-93 lets you reach the Flume, the Kanc and three ski areas in under 40 minutes. Here's how the towns we work in compare as a base:
- Lincoln is the busiest base, at the start of the Kancamagus and next to Loon and Franconia Notch. Condos dominate, and many owners rent them out.
- Waterville Valley is a self-contained resort town with its own ski area, town square and trail network, about 20 minutes off I-93.
- Thornton and Campton are quieter, with more single-family homes and land, and an easy run to Plymouth, Lincoln and Waterville Valley.
- North Conway is the base for the eastern side: the Kanc, Crawford Notch, Mount Washington and the outlets. Our North Conway real estate guide and Jackson real estate guide cover that side in more depth.
For browsing across the whole region, start with White Mountains homes for sale. Before you buy, read our honest look at buying a second home in the White Mountains: plowing, freeze protection, insurance and the real cost of a place you visit twice a month.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in the White Mountains?
The main things to do in the White Mountains are driving the Kancamagus Highway, walking the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch, reaching the top of Mount Washington by the Auto Road or the Cog Railway, hiking to waterfalls in Crawford Notch, and swimming in rivers like the Swift and the Pemigewasset. Families add Lost River Gorge, Polar Caves, Clark's Bears, the Conway Scenic Railroad, Story Land and Santa's Village. In winter, the same region has more than half a dozen ski areas.
What are the best things to do in the White Mountains NH for a first visit?
On a first trip, we'd do the Flume Gorge, the Kancamagus Highway with stops at Sabbaday Falls and Lower Falls, and Mount Washington by the Auto Road or the Cog. That covers a gorge, the region's best scenic drive and the highest peak in the Northeast in two days.
Is the Cannon Mountain tram open in 2026?
No. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway made its last run on October 26, 2025, and New Hampshire State Parks says it will not operate in 2026 while a replacement is designed. No opening date for the new tram has been announced. You can still hike to Cannon's summit.
Where can you go glamping in the White Mountains NH?
The main glamping options are Huttopia White Mountains in Albany (tents, chalets and tiny houses on Iona Lake), Alpine Garden in Bartlett (cabins, pods, a treehouse and a winery), Hub North in Gorham (yurts and bell tents, open year-round) and Lumen Nature Retreat in Woodstock (Nordic cabins and safari tents). Book early for summer and foliage weekends.
Do you need a pass to park in the White Mountain National Forest?
At signed fee sites, yes. Unattended vehicles parked at many National Forest trailheads and recreation sites, including most of the Kancamagus Highway stops, need a recreation pass displayed. Day passes are sold on site, and annual passes are sold at visitor centers. Interagency passes such as America the Beautiful are accepted.
When is the best time to visit the White Mountains?
July and August have everything open, including the swimming holes and the Mount Washington summit. Mid-September to mid-October has the foliage and the heaviest traffic. For the fewest crowds with most attractions open, go in June or early September. Late October through mid-May, many summer attractions are closed.
How far is the White Mountains from Boston?
Lincoln and Franconia Notch are about two to two and a half hours from Boston by I-93, and North Conway is a similar drive by Route 16. Huttopia, for example, describes itself as about 2.5 hours from Boston.