Franconia Notch State Park

Franconia Notch State Park protects one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the eastern United States — a dramatic glacier-carved notch between the towering Franconia and Kinsman ranges in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Sheer cliffs, deep forests, clear lakes, waterfalls and a famous gorge fill the narrow valley, threaded by a parkway and a recreation path.

The park’s highlights include the Flume Gorge (a dramatic natural chasm), Cannon Mountain with its aerial tramway, the clear waters of Echo and Profile Lakes, the Basin glacial pothole, and the cliff where the iconic Old Man of the Mountain rock profile gazed out until it collapsed in 2003. Surrounded by some of the finest hiking in the East and ablaze with autumn color, Franconia Notch is a treasured natural icon of New Hampshire.

Franconia Notch offers the self-guided walk through the dramatic Flume Gorge, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to sweeping summit views, swimming and boating at Echo Lake, the paved Franconia Notch Recreation Path for biking and walking, the short walk to the Basin, and access to world-class hiking on the surrounding peaks (Franconia Ridge is one of the great hikes in the East). Winter brings skiing at Cannon Mountain. Walking the Flume Gorge, riding the tramway and hiking the high ridges are the signature draws of this spectacular notch.

Summer and fall are the prime seasons — summer brings warm weather, swimming and full services, while late September and early October bring spectacular White Mountain foliage that draws crowds to the notch. Spring is fresh with rushing water; winter brings skiing at Cannon and a quiet, snowy beauty. The Flume Gorge and tramway operate mainly in the warmer months. Summer and especially fall (for the foliage) are the highlights — come for the autumn color, start early to beat crowds, and reserve Flume Gorge tickets in peak season.

Franconia Notch and the White Mountains are significant to the Abenaki people and became a celebrated destination in the 1800s, drawing tourists, artists and writers to its scenery and to the famous Old Man of the Mountain rock profile, a beloved state symbol. Conservationists saved the notch from logging in the early 1900s, creating the state park. The Old Man collapsed in 2003, mourned across the state. Franconia Notch State Park preserves this spectacular pass, its gorge and lakes and its heritage, a treasured icon of New Hampshire.

Franconia Notch is a classic glacial notch — a deep, U-shaped pass carved by Ice Age glaciers between the granite peaks of the Franconia and Kinsman ranges. The glaciers and meltwater also shaped the Flume Gorge (where water later deepened a chasm along a dike in the granite), the Basin (a pothole swirled out by meltwater), and the cliffs that held the Old Man profile (formed by ledges of granite that finally gave way in 2003). The granite ranges, the glacial carving and erosion created the notch and its dramatic features.

The forests, cliffs and waters of Franconia Notch host moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, beavers, and a rich birdlife including peregrine falcons on the cliffs, boreal birds of the spruce-fir forest, and waterfowl on the lakes, while the streams and lakes hold trout. The range from valley forest to alpine ridge supports varied wildlife. The notch offers wildlife watching amid its dramatic scenery, with moose in the wetlands and peregrine falcons on the cliffs among the highlights of this White Mountain park.

Franconia Notch protects a rich White Mountain ecosystem — northern hardwood and spruce-fir forests cloaking the steep slopes, clear cold lakes and streams, the gorge and its mossy walls, and the fragile alpine zone on the high ridges above, supporting diverse wildlife and rare alpine plants. The notch concentrates many habitats in a dramatic landscape. The alpine zone and the gorge are sensitive. Protecting the forests, the waters, the gorge and the alpine ridges sustains both the ecology and the spectacular beauty of Franconia Notch.

Franconia Notch holds a treasured place among the icons of New Hampshire — a spectacular glacier-carved pass of cliffs, gorge and lakes in the White Mountains, long beloved by tourists, artists and writers, and forever associated with the Old Man of the Mountain, the cliff profile that was the state’s emblem until it fell in 2003. The notch embodies the dramatic beauty of the White Mountains. Franconia Notch State Park is a cherished natural icon of New Hampshire.

Franconia Notch State Park is in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire, threaded by the Franconia Notch Parkway (Interstate 93, which narrows through the notch), about two hours north of Concord and Manchester. The Flume Gorge (with a visitor center; timed tickets, fee) is at the south end, Cannon Mountain and the tramway (fee) and Echo Lake at the north, with the Basin and trailheads between. The recreation path runs the length of the notch. Check NH State Parks for Flume Gorge tickets, tramway hours, fees and conditions before visiting.

NH State Parks protects Franconia Notch’s forests, gorge, lakes and peaks. Visitors help by staying on trails and boardwalks (especially in the fragile Flume Gorge and on the alpine ridges, where plants are easily damaged), respecting cliff closures for nesting peregrine falcons, protecting the lakes and streams, packing out everything, and following all rules. The gorge, the alpine zone and the cliff-nesting falcons are sensitive. Protecting the forests, the gorge, the waters and the high ridges sustains both the ecology and the beauty of Franconia Notch.

Trails in the notch range from easy boardwalks to the strenuous, exposed Franconia Ridge (a serious high-alpine hike with severe weather risk — check the forecast, carry layers and be ready to turn back). The Flume Gorge boardwalk is steep and can be slippery. Mountain weather changes fast, and the high ridges see dangerous conditions even in summer. Cold water, slippery rocks and steep terrain are hazards. Winter brings ice and avalanche risk on the slopes. Respect the mountain weather, the exposed ridges, the slippery gorge and the cold water.

The Flume Gorge requires timed tickets and a fee; the Cannon tramway charges a fare. Stay on trails and boardwalks; protect the fragile gorge and alpine plants. Respect peregrine-falcon cliff closures. Camp only in designated areas. Pets are restricted in some areas (like the Flume); leashed elsewhere. Drones are restricted. Swim only where permitted (Echo Lake). Pack out all trash; follow Leave No Trace and fire rules. Check NH State Parks for Flume tickets, tramway hours, pet rules and conditions before visiting.

The towns of Lincoln and North Woodstock (with attractions and lodging) at the south end, Franconia and Littleton to the north, the Kancamagus Highway nearby, the White Mountain National Forest and the rest of the Whites, and the high peaks of Franconia Ridge lie around the notch. The White Mountains define the region. Franconia Notch is a spectacular gateway to the White Mountains, a centerpiece of a New Hampshire adventure, easily combined with the Kancamagus Highway, Mount Washington, and the towns of Lincoln and North Woodstock.

Walk the self-guided Flume Gorge boardwalk through the dramatic chasm (reserve timed tickets in peak season), ride the Cannon Mountain tramway for sweeping views, and stop at the Basin and Echo Lake — then, if you’re fit and the weather is good, tackle the spectacular (and serious) Franconia Ridge loop. Come in late September or early October for the legendary foliage (expect crowds), start early, carry layers for the changeable mountain weather, and combine your visit with the Kancamagus Highway and the rest of the Whites.