Franconia Notch State Park
4.8(7.8K)google
4.7(53)yelp
Hiking TrailCampingSwimmingScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorPhotography SpotMust-SeeMountainForestLakeGeology
Overview
Franconia Notch State Park is a public recreation area and nature preserve that straddles eight miles (13 km) of Interstate 93 as it passes through Franconia Notch, a mountain pass between the Kinsman Range and Franconia Range in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire, United States. The northern part of the park, including Cannon Mountain and Echo and Profile lakes, is in the town of Franconia, and the southern part, including Lonesome Lake and the Flume, is in Lincoln. Attractions in the state park include the Flume Gorge and visitor center, the Old Man of the Mountain historical site, fishing in Echo Lake and Profile Lake, and miles of hiking, biking and ski trails.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeLate September to early October is unparalleled as the entire 8-mile mountain pass transforms into a roaring canyon of fall foliage. Head to the sandy shores of Echo Lake between 3:00 PM and sunset; low evening sun paints the sheer granite face of Cannon Mountain in deep gold shades, casting a mirror reflection onto the alpine waters.
Getting ThereSpans a massive mountain valley directly bisected by the interstate. Drive via I-93, which transitions into the two-lane scenic Franconia Notch Parkway inside park bounds. Take Exits 34A, 34B, or 34C to reach different sectors; high-capacity free paved trail-head parking fields border all scenic outlook loops along both highway lanes.
Travel Tips
- Lafayette Place parking fills by 08:30 on summer weekends; state troopers strictly enforce no-parking zones along the I-93 shoulders with immediate towing.
- The deep mountain notches create total cell blindspots; download offline navigation maps at the visitor center before tackling the Lafayette loop trails.
- Encounters with moose and black bears are common; keep 25 feet away from wildlife, and store all food items inside hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof lockers.
Reviews
Positive
- The undisputed king of White Mountain parks! It has everything from alpine lakes to jagged gorges; the scenery is absolutely pristine.
- A beautifully paved recreation path runs through the park, fully separated from vehicle traffic, making cycling amidst mountain views a joy.
- The beach and picnic area near Echo Lake are fantastic; you can rent boats or swim, and they provide ample trash cans and picnic tables.
- As a highly popular public state park, it offers incredible value, with most core natural sites offering free parking and entry.
Heads up
- During peak foliage in October, core parking lots like Artist's Bluff fill up completely before 9 AM, making spots impossible to find.
- Due to its vast, rugged geography, cell service is weak or nonexistent on remote trails; downloading offline maps in advance is vital.
- Public restrooms are scarce along some popular trails, and under high-volume use, cleanliness and odor issues can be unpleasant.
- Because of its immense fame, key lookouts are swamped with commercial tour buses during peak season, losing a bit of natural tranquility.