Franconia Notch Is The Single Best State Park In New Hampshire And It's Just Waiting To Be Explored
By Michelle|Published July 02, 2021
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Michelle
Author
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.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
New Hampshire has 93 state park properties and each one is breathtaking. Whether it’s a historical site or a large natural area with trails we’d love to explore them all. If you’re on a similar quest, we recommend you start with one of the most notable and beloved in the state. The park we’re featuring today was recently named the best in New Hampshire by Travel + Leisure magazine and we totally agree! Here are just a few of the reasons we love it.
Franconia Notch State Park is located in the beautiful White Mountains. One of the most idyllic parts of the state, this park is worth exploring for a few days at a time. There's certainly plenty to keep you busy!
Established in 1928, the 6,600-square foot park includes some of the state's most visited natural attractions. The most popular might be Flume Gorge which features 80-foot walls and a boardwalk trail that winds between them. This is perfect for those who want to escape to, what feels like, a different world for a while.
There are 48 hiking trails in Franconia Notch State Park, too. Each one offers a different experience for hikers ranging from beginner to expert. Many offer views of mountains, forests and the incredible lakes located within.
In addition to natural features, there's a good bit of history here too. Robert Frost had a home here and it can be visited by those who have an interest in writing.
Prior to 2003 the park was home to views of the Old Man of the Mountain, a series of cliffs on Cannon Mountain that looked like the profile of a person when viewed from the North. Today, visitors can come to Profile Plaza to learn more about the feature and how it fell.
Visitors to the park can also access Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, the first passenger tramway in the country. It dates back to 1938, which also means you'll experience a bit of history. The summit of 4,080-foot Cannon Mountain offers some of the best views in the state.
Before leaving the area be sure to have a look at the Basin, a natural wonder in the park featuring smooth rocks created by water over millions of years.
These are just a few of the spots within Franconia Notch State Park that put it high on our list of must-sees here in New Hampshire. Plan on seeing these and exploring some of your own choosing. Anything you find will be well-worth the time spent!
Franconia Notch State Park can be visited year-round, though some activities and attractions are best at different times of year. To learn more about visiting the park and camping there, check out the official New Hampshire State Parks website. You can reach the park on 603-823-8800.
