Not far from White Mountain National Forest in northern New Hampshire, Crawford Notch State Park is a hidden gem among stunning scenery. While most visitors head in this direction to see Mt. Washington or look for fall foliage, it’s worth exploring this 5,775-acre state park for its many waterfalls.
This state park is located in Crawford Notch, a mountain pass with amazing vistas. US-302 cuts through this valley, and this is actually the way you would take to travel to Mt. Washington anyway, so the park is easy to add to your New Hampshire itinerary.
Many of the waterfalls are relatively easy to get to. The 100-ft Ripley Falls is one of them, with only an easy half-mile hike to get there.
At almost 200 feet tall, Arethusa Falls is the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire. The 1.4-mile trail to the waterfall is moderately steep and rocky at first but flattens as you get closer to the waterfall.
Want a really easy waterfall to get to? Silver Cascade descends over a series of rocks and ledges for nearly 1,000 feet right next to US-302. You can see it from the roadside, or you can park your car in the parking area and explore more for yourself on foot.
In addition to waterfalls, there are 36 wooded campsites in the park, as well as the remnants of the Willey House. Built in the late 18th century, the building became home to the Willey family in 1825. The family perished in a landslide after a terrible storm, but the house was unharmed.
There’s a visitor center next to the site. Head over to the river for a good spot to take in the view of the valley.
Of course, there are also more strenuous hikes that take you up the mountains for incredible panoramas. In total, there are over 40 hiking trails in the park, some as long as 25 miles!
Have you visited Crawford Notch State Park? What are some of your favorite spots to visit? What else is a hidden gem in northern New Hampshire?
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