7 Great Road Trips to Take in New Hampshire
With rugged mountain Appalachian trails and plenty of national forest land and lush state park areas, New Hampshire is no stranger to a scenic drive. Alongside views of the White Mountains, trips up the state's highest peak, and forest lands littered with hiking trails, routes like the Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch Parkway also offer plenty of great stops to enjoy. Between spots like the Old Man of the Mountain Museum, Attitash Mountain Resort, and the Whale’s Tale Water Park, there are numerous activities to make for worthwhile detours on an epic road trip, for both single-day and multi-day adventures.
Kancamagus Highway
Stretching a total of 34.5 miles between Lincoln and Conway, the Kancamagus Highway is home to some of the best fall foliage in the world. Running east to west on NH Route 112, the highway cuts through the White Mountain National Forest, with forested paths, mountain ranges, and waterfalls to view and photograph, plus countless campgrounds and recreational activities to participate in on the drive. The highway is open year-round, but one of its major intersections, Bear Notch Road, is closed during the winter months.
Starting in Lincoln, you can spend some time at Alpine Adventures for zip lining, off-road tours, hiking, and treetop climbing opportunities to enjoy before heading onto Route 112. The Hancock Branch of the route offers multiple places to stop and explore, including Big Rock Campground and the Otter Rocks, a swimming hole with a nearby picnic area. As you enter the White Mountain National Forest, you will find the Hancock Overlook: the perfect spot to look out over the mountains and tree lines and enjoy the view. Next, you can follow the Swift River for a portion of the drive before reaching Bear Notch Road, which is open during warmer seasons with multiple overlooks to enjoy. Finally, you will find the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area for a look at the rock formations and waterfalls in the area before continuing toward the end of the route in Conway.
Franconia Notch Parkway
An eight-mile stretch on Interstate 93 beginning in Lincoln, New Hampshire, and Franconia Notch Parkway makes for the perfect road trip, with nature at the forefront. The highway winds through Franconia Notch State Park, with views of the Franconia and Kinsman Mountain ranges from the road.
Starting in Lincoln, follow I-93 toward Franconia Notch State Park. On the way to the park, you can stop at The Flume Gorge, an 800-foot gorge at the base of Mount Liberty with boardwalk pathways between the rocky walls and a covered bridge for a nature walk and photography opportunities. Further up the road are both Echo Lake, followed by the nearby Profile Lake, both spots with access to the water for boating and water activities in the warmer seasons. On the opposite side of the road is the Old Man of the Mountain Museum, a small museum by Cannon Mountain commemorating the natural rock formation that resembles a face on the mountainside. Near the intersection of I-93 and Highway 3 is the steep hiking trail The Artist’s Bluff, which offers breathtaking views of the mountains and foliage, especially in the autumn.
Moose Alley
If you are looking for a unique wildlife experience, a trip to Moose Alley is a must. A stretch of road along US Route 3 situated between Pittsburg and the US-Canada Border, this stretch of road is among the best known places for moose sightings.
Starting in Pittsburg, follow US Route 3 toward the US-Canada Border. The highway borders the White Mountain National Forest, with views of forested lands, and Lake Francis, First Connecticut Lake, Second Connecticut Lake, and Third Connecticut Lake visible while you drive. The most popular time for moose sighting is during mating season in the autumn, and in the spring when the moose are more active after Winter’s end.
Crawford Notch Scenic Drive
Located just off Interstate 93, the Crawford Notch Scenic Drive takes you through Crawford Notch State Park and has plenty of interesting road trip activities. For the most action-packed road trip itinerary, following Route 302 from North Conway will allow you to get the most out of your trip.
Start on Route 302 near Bretton Woods, where the iconic Omni Mount Washington Resort offers plenty of mountainside adventures, including canopy tours and gondola rides. Continuing down Route 302 toward Crawford Notch, you will enter Crawford Notch State Park. The highway stretches through the park, with views of Saco Lake and Elephant Rock. The park has ample parking available, so you can enjoy a day of hiking through the park and views of the Saco River. The park also has historical landmarks that you can visit, including Willey House, and further down the road, the Frankenstein Trestle. The highway parallels the Conway Scenic Railroad tracks, which you can ride on the Mountaineer excursion that the Railroad offers visitors.
Pinkham Notch
The Pinkham Notch is on Route 16, between North Conway and Gorham. With views of the Presidential Range and Mount Washington, there are plenty of sights to see and stops to make on your trip. The drive also features connections to Routes 2 and 115 to Crawford Notch, creating a 60-mile loop back to Conway for extra road trip possibilities.
Following the main route, Route 16 begins in North Conway, with portions of the road following the Saco River before a fork in the river takes the road toward the Ellis River. A stop at the Living Shores Aquarium in Glen for some family-friendly fun before heading up toward the mountains. Following the Ellis River, you can take a small detour to see multiple covered bridges along the route, including the Historic Honeymoon Covered Bridge. As you get closer to Mount Washington, the drive becomes entombed in forested areas, with hiking trails like the Winniweta Falls Trailhead becoming more prominent attractions. This drive is full of adventurous activities, including the opportunity to drive to the top of Mount Washington on the Mount Washington Auto Road to enjoy the views from New England’s highest peak.
Lake Winnipesaukee Scenic Drive
A 97-mile loop around Lake Winnipesaukee, this drive is loaded with road trip opportunities. The drive has nearby forests for foliage views, access to the water for recreational activities, and multiple towns to visit on the way to get the full experience.
Starting in Alton, follow Highway NH-11 toward Gilford. On the way, you can find Lockes Hill Trailhead for hiking opportunities and breathtaking views of the lake and treetops. The road runs parallel to the lakeside in Gilford for a stretch, with views of the lake and plenty of water access through the Gilford Town Docks for boating access and Gilford Beach for further water recreation activities. Following the route toward Weirs Beach in Laconia. Here you can find the Funspot amusement park with plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy, with the American Classic Arcade Museum onsite for an educational experience, learning the history of arcades in America. Continue driving toward Meredith, with nature trails by the lake and water access near the road. Taking Route 25 through Meredith and Center Harbor will bring you to Moultonborough. Here you can find more opportunities for hiking and boating before continuing your journey toward Tuftonboro, where the landscape becomes more rural as it winds back toward the starting point in Alton. Between Tuftonboro and Alton is the town of Wolfeboro, where you can access the water at Carry Beach and enjoy the views of the water and forestry for the last stretch of the route before returning to Alton.
White Mountain Trail Scenic Byway
The White Mountain Trail Scenic Byway is a 100-mile loop that begins in North Woodstock and includes both Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch. This drive is the perfect length for a road trip: short enough that it can be tackled in one day, but long enough that it can be stretched out over the course of multiple days to get the most out of every attraction on the way.
The route begins at the White Mountains Visitor Center in North Woodstock. Take Route 112 until you reach Route 3, heading in the direction of Franconia Notch State Park. Between the starting point and the state park, you will find the Whale’s Tale Water Park in Lincoln. As you drive, you can see parts of the Appalachian Trail and Cannon Mountain. Continuing on the path toward Bretton Woods, which offers skiing opportunities in the winter, and breathtaking views of the foliage in autumn. Continuing toward Crawford Notch State Park, you can see the Flume and Silver Cascades or visit the Willey House Historic Site. When you reach Bartlett, there is an optional offshoot called Bear Notch Road, which is closed during the winter season. Traveling down this road will end the loop sooner, or you can continue toward Glen and Conway to extend your trip. Taking the longer route, you can stop at Attitash Mountain Resort, featuring 68 ski runs for you to enjoy during the winter. In North Conway, you can visit Echo Lake State Park before enjoying the mountain ranges and forested lands at the end of the byway loop.
Experience New Hampshire
Between the mountain ranges, forest lands, and natural beauty, New Hampshire is a sight to behold. While these trips have stunning views and opportunities to experience nature, they also provide ample opportunity to experience the towns that border the mountains and state forests to see what they have to offer. Tailored to find some of the best attractions of each area, these road trips are perfect for your next ride.
