Not all of the best parks in the United States are national parks, some state parks offer some of the most remarkable scenery in the country. If one is going to New England in the fall, then Franconia Notch State Park is a must. It is located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and includes beautiful Echo Lake and the stunning Flume Gorge.
This fall, consider taking some great foliage tours in New England or anywhere else in the country. New England is world famous for its foliage, and there are a number of things to know before heading there. Of the many locations in New England, Franconia Notch is arguably one of the best for foliage.
Franconia Notch – One of New England’s Best State Parks
Franconia Notch is one of New England’s gems. This is a spectacular mountain pass crossed by a unique walk from Flume Gorge to Echo Lake. I-93 passes through Franconia Notch between the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges straddling the park for eight miles.
- Location: Northern New Hampshire
- Established: 1928
The Kinsman Range and the Franconia Range are among New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains. They cover about a quarter of New Hampshire and are part of northern Appalachia. They are extremely popular with visitors from New York and other major population centers in the region and are the most rugged mountains in New England.
The highest peak in the White Mountains (and the Northeastern United States) is Mount Washington at 6,288 feet or 1,917 meters.
Franconia Notch State Park – Perfect for fall foliage
The charming New England state of New Hampshire is famous for its beautiful foliage. The best times to see foliage in New Hampshire are from mid-September to mid-October. Meanwhile, fall colors are rushing across the state – foliage coming in from the northwest to the southeast.
- Best foliage season: mid-September to mid-October
- Maximum foliage: From October 5 to October 10 For the White Mountains
Franconia Notch is one of the most stunning places in the state to view those vibrant fall colors. Another suggestion is to drive along Highway 112 which winds between Lincoln and North Conway.
New England is known as the quintessential fall – a place of crisp air, blue skies, and trees blazing red, orange, and yellow. For more on New Hampshire foliage, see the New Hampshire Foliage Tracker.
Franconia Notch is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and according to the Foliage Tracker, the peak time for foliage in this area is October 5-10.
Other Attractions in Franconia Notch
There are plenty of outdoor recreational things to see and do here, take the Aerial Tramway to Cannon Mountain, hike Flume Gorge, visit the New England Ski Museum, go trout fishing, go rock climbing, and more.
- Attractions: Hiking, mountain biking, fishing
Another attraction is the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site. It was a series of five granite cliff ledges on Cannon Mountain that resembled the profile of a man’s face. It is a symbol of the Mohawk people, but it collapsed in 2003.
- The Old Man of the Mountain: One of New Hampshire’s most famous landmarks
Cannon Mountain is also famous for being one of New England’s toughest hills and has a year-round Aerial Tramway. In the summer it takes people to the top for sightseeing and in the winter it transports skiers. At the base is the New England Ski Museum where visitors learn about the history of alpine skiing.
- Cable car: Year Round on Cannon Mountain
Head out in the winter and go skiing at Cannon Mountain, a ski resort that opened in the 1930s.
See the foliage and go swimming in Echo Lake
One of the most scenic places in the park to view fall foliage is Echo Lake. Echo Lake is 15.7 acres (6.4 ha) in size and is located near North Conway. It is part of Echo Lake State Park and has a small swimming beach.
From the shore of Echo Lake, one can admire the view of Mount Lafayette and Cannon Mountain. There are also boat rentals on the lake – so hire a canoe, kayak or paddle boat.
Visitors can also make reservations at Echo Lake Beach before arriving as parking is limited, especially on weekends and holidays. The beach has walk-in spaces for visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.