10 Fun Things to Do in Fall in the White Mountains
The White Mountains is one of the most popular places in the world to visit in the fall, and for good reasons! The fall foliage in the White Mountains transforms the mountains and valleys into a beautiful sea of reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. The foliage views are unmatched!
I have been visiting the White Mountains in fall since I was a kid, and I will never get over the views. I love driving around enjoying roadside viewpoints and hiking to breathtaking overlooks.
The best part is there is something to do for everyone in the fall in the White Mountains. Whether you want to drive a scenic byway, ride a scenic gondola, hike to a beautiful overlook, or chase waterfalls, there is something for everyone. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting the White Mountains in fall, including the best things to do!
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When is Peak Fall Foliage in the White Mountains
Peak foliage varies but is usually between the end of September to the beginning of October in the White Mountains. I have seen the foliage peak as early as the end of September and as late as late October.
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has a foliage tracker that gives you real-time foliage updates and is a great tool to find out when the foliage will peak in the White Mountains in fall.
Tips for Visiting the White Mountains in Fall
Spend at least 3-4 days in the White Mountains in fall. Although you can see many must-see attractions in 1-2 days, your trip will likely feel rushed. I recommend spending at least 3-4 days in the White Mountains to give you plenty of time to explore everything it offers in the fall.
Start your days early. The White Mountains are extremely busy during fall. Millions of people travel to the White Mountains in fall to view the beautiful foliage, so many must-see attractions and hikes are crowded. I recommend arriving at popular places early in the day to avoid most crowds.
Pack appropriate hiking gear. One of the best things to do in the fall in the White Mountains is to hike. It is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the fall foliage! But the trails in the White Mountains are rugged, so I recommend wearing reliable hiking boots that have traction and will provide you with support and stability.
Pack layers. Mountain weather is unpredictable. The White Mountains could have beautiful summer weather in early fall or snow, so I always recommend packing layers.
Hire a guide. If you want to hike in the fall in the White Mountains, consider hiring a guide! They can provide great trail recommendations and help ensure you have a safe trip!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Where to Stay in the White Mountains in Fall
Two of the best places to stay in the White Mountains are North Conway and Lincoln. These beautiful mountain towns are near many of the best things to do and have everything you need for your trip.
North Conway:
Lincoln:
What to Pack for Fall in the White Mountains
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
The Best Things to Do in Fall in the White Mountains
The White Mountains have many beautiful spots to experience the fall foliage, and you cannot go wrong with anywhere you go. Since I visit the White Mountains every fall, I included a few of my favorite things to do that offer incredible opportunities to see the fall foliage in the White Mountains. Get ready for beautiful views!
Kayak on Echo Lake
Echo Lake is a small but beautiful lake located in Franconia Notch State Park at the base of Cannon Mountain and offers breathtaking views of Cannon Mountain and Mount Lafayette. The foliage in the White Mountains will be on display around the lake and give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous views.
Although you can enjoy the views from the shores of Echo Lake, I recommend renting a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat to explore Echo Lake by water. The mountain views will not disappoint!
Ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
Another fun thing to do in the fall in the White Mountains is to take a scenic gondola ride on the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. It is a great way to experience the fall foliage without hiking! I love taking my family on the tramway.
The quick 10-minute ride brings you to Cannon Mountain’s 4,080-foot summit, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Franconia Notch. Taking a ride on the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is one of the best things to do in the fall in the White Mountains!
Ride the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride
Another beautiful gondola ride to enjoy the foliage in the White Mountains is at Loon Mountain. The White Mountains Express Gondola is 1.3 miles, making it the longest scenic gondola ride in New Hampshire, and it brings you to Loon Mountain’s 3,065-foot summit, where you get panoramic views of the White Mountains. The foliage views are unmatched and will leave you in awe!
Hike Through the Flume Gorge
The Flume Gorge is a beautiful gorge located at the base of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park. It is one of the most popular things to do in the fall in the White Mountains, and you have to make a reservation in advance to hike through it.
The 4-mile hike travels through the 800-foot natural gorge, offering beautiful views of waterfalls. Although the trail has many uphill sections with stairs, it is perfect for all levels of hikers. Although you can hike it year-round, fall is one of my favorite times to visit the Flume Gorge.
Since the Flume Gorge is a popular place to visit in fall in the White Mountains, I recommend making your reservation in advance. The time slots fill up quickly.
Ride the Conway Scenic Railroad
If you are looking for the easiest way to experience the fall foliage in the White Mountains without driving or hiking, the Conway Scenic Railroad is the perfect option! The Conway Scenic Railroad offers a few train options, but I recommend taking the Mountaineer Notch Train.
The Mountaineer Notch Trail travels through Crawford Notch, offering views of steep ravines, cascading brooks, and beautiful mountain views. Make sure to bring your camera because you will have breathtaking views of fall foliage the entire train ride!
Zipline at Bretton Woods
If you are looking for a unique way to experience the foliage, look no further! Bretton Woods has the only zipline in the White Mountains, allowing you to soar through the beautiful foliage at 165 feet high. The zipline has nine zip lines, two sky bridges, and 16 tree platforms along the course, and it is one of my favorite fall activities!
And the best part? It is open year-round! Ziplining through the foliage is one of the best things to do in the fall in the White Mountains and should be on every bucket list!
Drive to Cathedral Ledge
Cathedral Ledge is near downtown North Conway and has stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You can reach Cathedral Ledge by driving a one-mile road or hiking the 2.1-mile Bryce Path Trail. The top has a few beautiful overlooks that make perfect places to relax and enjoy the foliage views!
If you want to experience the beautiful views with fewer people, I recommend visiting at sunrise. It is one of my favorite sunrise spots in the area, and the views will not disappoint!
Experience Mount Washington
Mount Washington is the tallest mountain in the northeast, standing at 6,288 feet, and offers some of the best views in the White Mountains. On a clear day, Mount Washington has views as far as 130 miles!
And the best part? You do not have to hike to get to the summit. I have enjoyed Mount Washington by hiking it, driving to the top, and riding the Cog. Below are the three ways you can experience Mount Washington in fall:
The easiest way to get to Mount Washington is by driving the Mount Washington Auto Road. The Auto Road is a 7.6 steep and scenic drive that weaves along the side of Mount Washington, providing beautiful views of the White Mountains. Driving to the top in fall is a popular thing to do, and I recommend arriving in the morning to go to the top. The line to get onto the auto road can be backed up midday.
A fun way to get to Mount Washington is to take the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The Cog Railway was the world’s first mountain-climbing railway, is the only operating one in North America, and is the second steepest in the world! A ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway offers scenic fall foliage views and a fun way to experience Mount Washington.
For those who would like to hike to Mount Washington, you will have to allocate an entire day to hiking. There are many trails to Mount Washington, and all are strenuous and should only be hiked if you have proper hiking gear and experience.
Note: Mount Washington has very unpredictable weather. I highly recommend checking the forecast on the Mount Washington Observatory website before planning a trip to the summit.
Drive the Kancamagus Highway
One of the best things to do in the fall in the White Mountains is to drive the Kancamagus Highway. The Kancamagus Highway is considered one of the most beautiful foliage drives in the world!
The 34-mile scenic drive weaves through the White Mountains, offering scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and hikes. Although it takes about an hour to drive the Kancamagus Highway, I recommend spending at least a half day exploring everything it offers.
Here are some of the must-see stops on the Kancamagus Highway:
Lower Falls
Sabbaday Falls
Rocky Gorge
Hancock Overlook
Pemigewasset Overlook
CL Graham Wangan Overlook
Sugar Hill Overlook
Albany Covered Bridge
Note: The Kancamagus is one of the most popular areas to visit in the fall in the White Mountains, so I highly recommend beginning the drive early in the morning. Parking lots are small, so it can be difficult to find parking midday.
Hike in the White Mountains
And last but not least, we have the best fall activity, in my opinion. Hiking is one of the best ways to experience fall in the White Mountains, and you cannot go wrong with any trail you choose!
And the best part? There are trails for all hiking levels! Whether you want to hike to some of the tallest mountains in New Hampshire, enjoy a leisurely walk to a waterfall, or hike to a beautiful overlook, there are trails for everyone in the White Mountains!
Note: The trails in the White Mountains are rugged. You must research the trails you want to hike to ensure you have the proper experience and gear. You can also hire a guide who can show you some of the best trails in the White Mountains and ensure you are prepared for the hike.
If you are visiting the White Mountains in fall, this guide is the best place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in the fall in the White Mountains!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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