Outdoor Adventures
Unleash your adventure spirit at zip lines, caves, ski trails in the White Mountains
10 places to visit
Great Glen Trails
A slate of exciting adventures, from kayaking to skiing, are waiting for you at outdoor center
Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH 03581 603-466-3988 Pick from an exciting menu of outdoor adventures at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Kayak fans can book a tour, full- or half-day wildlife tour or a whitewater kayak clinic. A sunset kayaking tour is also offered, along a pristine stretch of the Androscoggin River. Miles of rolling, smooth and well-drained terrain, as well as miles of single-track, means great hiking and biking, surrounded by the beauty of the White Mountains. In winter, go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing (including an evening snowshoe tour) and snow tubing down the walk-up Tubing Hill. All the best in outdoor gear, as well as rental equipment, is available at the Outfitters Shop. The base lodge has showers, lockers and a cozy fireplace.
Ice Castles
Dazzling displays mean you’ll crown these artful ice castles top winter attractions
24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH 03262 Add some sparkle to your winter with a visit to the breathtaking Ice Castles, a magical masterpiece of ice thrones, sculptures, tunnels, slides and fountains. Walk along the enchanted forest path, admiring the hand-carved sculptures that seem to glow from within with their embedded LED lights. Or, better yet, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride (for groups up to 12 people) through the award-winning attraction. Set to open in early January, the winter wonderland features the work of ice artisans who grow and harvest up to 10,000 icicles a day. All in all, about 20 million pounds of ice go into creating the magical ambiance, aided by music and multicolored lights (and special fire shows on Friday and Saturday nights).
Town of Bethlehem
White Mountains town makes a great headquarters for a variety of outdoor adventures
Bethlehem, NH It’s hard to think of a place where the great outdoors is as great as it is in Bethlehem, N.H., making it the perfect headquarters for your adventures. Ski or snowboard down the slopes at one of six nearby mountains or hit the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking on endless area trails in Bethlehem and its charming neighboring towns. There’s also a network of snowmobile trails that take you right into town for lunch! In the warmer weather, enjoy hiking and biking on our extensive trail network or scenic roads, tennis, basketball – and swimming in the town pool and our pristine rivers. Bethlehem also boasts two exceptional 18-hole golf courses, designed by the legendary Donald Ross. Outdoor activities in the area include the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the Flume Gorge, Santa’s Village and Story Land.
Polar Caves
Put on your explorer gear and prepare to duck and shimmy through Ice Age caves
705 Rumney Route 25 Rumney, NH 603-536-1888 Time to be an explorer! Head to the Polar Caves and prepare to make all kinds of discoveries. Formed during the last Ice Age, the nine granite caves consist of granite boulders that formed passageways – and it’s those passageways, with the modern addition of boardwalks and stairs, that you’ll duck, squeeze and shimmy through. Can you get yourself through the slim crevasse of the Lemon Squeeze, or walk the narrow Devil’s Turnpike path? Can you touch the last of winter’s ice in the middle of the summer at the Ice Cave? When you’re done exploring, visit the animal park, with several fallow deer and ducks, all of which love kids bearing corn you can buy at the park. For hungry humans, there’s a picnic area.
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
See the powerful forces of nature at work when you tour a lost river and glacial caves
1712 Lost River Road -- Route 112W North Woodstock, NH 03262 603-745-8031 Marvel at the forces of Mother Nature when you tour the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in Kinsman Notch, a land of spectacular beauty. Walk a mile of boardwalk through the gorge as it winds its way along the Lost River, showing you jagged rock walls, gigantic boulders, cascading waterfalls and 11 glacial boulder caves whose formation began about 300 million years ago. Discover the Forest Adventure Trail, treehouse and suspension bridge or get a bird’s-eye view of the forest from the Giant Bird Nest. Pan for gemstones, shark’s teeth and fossils at the Lost River Mining Company. Or take an evening guided lantern tour when the caves are lit by lanterns and the boardwalks by headlamps. The tour ends with s’mores around a campfire.
Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce
If you’re ready for an adventure, the vibrant Androscoggin Valley is ready for you
961 Main Street Berline, NH 03570 603-228-0836 Ready for an adventure? Head to the Androscoggin Valley, NH, and you’ll have your pick: from skiing down slopes or through meadows in the winter, to hiking to waterfalls or golfing in the spring, to checking out that swimming hole or learning to fly fish in the summer, to biking along rolling carriage roads against a backdrop bursting with color in the fall. The area also boasts great cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing trails, rivers for kayaking and paddling, scenic gondola rides and places to zip-line. Take a moose tour, go whitewater rafting, go horseback riding or dog sledding. Enjoy snow-tubing, take a sleigh ride, go ice-skating. Visitors have their choice of comfortable accommodations, from bed-and-breakfast inns to resorts with pools and spas, and restaurants from pizza parlors to fine dining.
Mount Washington Auto Road
Drive yourself, take a tour, hike or ski: Everything is an adventure along the auto road
Route 16 - Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH 03581 603-466-3988 Outdoor adventures along the historic Mt. Washington Auto Road take a number of forms, from self-guided auto tours (you can download an audio tour on the app) to guided tours. Pull-offs along the way to the summit, the highest in the Northeast, offer magnificent vistas and mini-hikes. And speaking of hikes, you can hike to the summit, resting at Appalachian Mountain Club huts en route, or ride up on a tour and hike down. In the winter, a comfy and warm SnowCoach takes you to the tree line, and you have the option of going back on the coach or skiing or snowshoeing down! Traveling from the base to the summit, you’ll go through four distinct ecological zones. At the top, there’s a weather observatory museum and cafeteria.
Santa's Village
Christmas Comes Early in the White Mountains
528 Presidential Highway Jefferson, NH 03583 603-586-4445Nestled in the White Mountains of Jefferson, New Hampshire, Santa's Village has been delighting families for over 70 years — and the magic never gets old. Climb aboard the Skyway Sleigh monorail, brave the Yule Log Flume, or send the little ones soaring at the Little Elf Flying School. When the heat is on, the water park delivers with three-story twisty slides, the splashy Ho Ho H2O attraction, and a gentle splash pad for the youngest adventurers. Meet Santa, feed his reindeer, hunt for elves across the park, and decorate your own gingerbread man — all included with admission. Pure White Mountains joy, family style.
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Summer at this ski resort means great hiking, chairlift rides, mountain biking
1 Skimobile Road North Conway, NH 03860 What can you do in the summer at a ski resort? Lots! At Cranmore Mountain Resort, take a seven-minute four-passenger chairlift ride to the top of the mountain. Then gaze out in awe at stunning views of Mt. Washington and its valley from 2,000 feet up. Grab lunch, snacks, a hot dog, ice cream or Bavarian pretzel at the historic Meister Hut. Then board the Skimobile Express Quad for a scenic chairlift ride back to the base area. Or, hike a half-mile loop around the summit with amazing views. (Want something longer? Take the 2-mile Black Cap Connector Trail.) The resort also has a family-friendly, lift-serviced downhill mountain bike park, with terrain for all ability levels, group lessons and rental bikes and gear.
Cannon Mountain
Tramway rides, hiking, biking, fishing: There’s lots to do on and around this mountain resort
Franconia Notch State Park Franconia, NH 03580 603-823-8800 Hop aboard the aerial tramway – the nation’s first – at Cannon Mountain and in under 10 minutes you’ll be marveling at the view from the 4,080-foot summit. On a clear day, you can see the mountains of four states – and Canada. There’s a 360-degree observation deck, scenic walking paths and cafe. Around the mountain are a variety of fun activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including the famous Flume Gorge with cascading waterfalls and covered bridges, rock-climbing at Cannon Cliffs, hiking and biking along the 8.8-mile Recreation Path and fishing in Echo Lake and Profile Lake, both stocked with trout. Camp on one of 97 wooded tent sites at Lafayette Place Campground or bring the RV to Cannon Mountain RV Park on the north shore of Echo Lake.