Take A 3-Hour Drive Through New Hampshire To See This Year's Beautiful Fall Colors
By Michelle|Updated on August 08, 2023(Originally published October 19, 2021)
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Michelle
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Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
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There’s no better place to see this year’s stunning fall colors than right here in New Hampshire. No matter where you are you’ll be surrounded by them, but it’s even more fun to go on a road trip to search them out. In a place this heavily forested, just about any road will do. Even the highways here will lead to great scenery. To make a real day out of it, consider heading out on this road trip to some truly gorgeous spots. When the leaves are at their peak hop in the car and go on this amazing fall foliage road trip in New Hampshire. Before you go don’t forget to use this map so you can customize your trip.
We love this road trip because there's plenty to see on the drive from scenic roads to historical mansions, with four fun stops along the way you will have plenty to do during this trip. Hop in the car and check it out!
This covered bridge was built in 1972, but being fairly new doesn't make it any less special. The building methods were all traditional, meaning it could have been built way back when. It's closed to vehicular traffic, but take a stroll over the Contoocook River by heading from one side to the other and back again. Make sure to snap some pictures with the fall colors all around the bridge, isn't Fall in New Hampshire just beautiful? When you are done, it's back in the car for our next stop.
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2. The famous Castle in the Clouds in Moltonborough is up next.
Castle in the Clouds was originally known as the Lucknow Estate and was built for a wealthy shoemaker in 1914. It sits on 5,300 acres of land which are filled with fall foliage this time of year. There's a fee to enter, but it's well worth it for the views over Lake Winnipesaukee. You can learn more about the Castle in the Clouds by clicking this link. Not only can you see incredible views of the fall colors in New Hampshire but here is a little local secret. In the castle is a hidden reading room, see if you can find it when you visit.
4. You can't have a fall foliage road trip in New Hampshire without at least a little time on the Kanc. It is after all the most scenic drive in New Hampshire.
Kancamagus Highway, Kancamagus Hwy, Albany, NH, USA
The Kanc, as it's affectionately known by those who are familiar with it, features a total of
56 miles through the mountains. The actual name of the road is Highway 112 and it dates back to the 1600s. Since then it's been designated as an American Scenic Byway, and Travel + Leisure called it one of the most scenic drives in the country. We won't be traveling the entire route, but we'll see just enough of it to want to come back. For now, we've got more to see elsewhere!
Kancamagus Highway, Kancamagus Hwy, Albany, NH, USA
If you want to extend your trip and stay on this scenic route then make sure you take advantage of not only the lookouts but there are several places to stop and get out along the way. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video for a good look at a few of the places you can stop along the Kancamangus Highway.
Lastly, you'll find yourself at one of the most fun state parks in the state. There are tons of things to enjoy here, from hiking trails to waterfalls. You can enjoy the trails and sights throughout the year, but fall means being surrounded by bright foliage in every direction. You can pay to drive through, which is totally worth it. But you can also take the Falling Waters Trail to Stairs Falls, Swiftwater Falls, and Cloudland Falls. This is your last stop, so you'll have some time to enjoy yourself. And when you're done you can simply head on back home knowing you didn't waste a second of fall in New Hampshire. Whatever you do though, make sure you don't leave the park until you have hiked up to Artist Bluff. Check out this scenic hike by watching this Adventuring in the Moment video:
You can easily make this trip as long as you want with so many hiking trails and overlooks. Every road trip requires a good road trip checklist so make sure you check out ours for some good ideas to pack your vehicle. Do you have any must-do day trips during the fall? We’d love to hear about your favorite places to visit this time of year.
A portion of this drive will take you on the Kanc, but driving the entire thing is a great option. One of the most scenic drives in America is right here in New Hampshire and we love it in the fall!
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