State and Local Parks
State and local parks of White Mountains region provide fun for all tastes
7 listings
Franconia, NH
Franconia Notch State Park
Route 93 603-823-8800Park in a mountain pass has a lake, bicycling, camping, daytime attractions
This magnificent park within a mountain pass has the Lafayette Campground, open mid-May to Columbus Day. The park is popular for hiking. Parking can be difficult; please see the link below for parking for hikers. Hiking map. Parking for hikers.
See full description of Franconia Notch State Park.
Harts Location, NH
Crawford Notch State Park
1464 US Route 302 603-374-2272Mountain vistas, waterfalls, rivers, mountain hiking, campground
This is a place of spectacular mountain views, hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing locations. It encompasses the Flume Cascades, the Silver Cascades, and the Arethusa Falls. Also in the park is the Willey House, an 18th-century way-station for travelers through the mountains.
The campground in the park has 36 wooded sites, restrooms, showers, flush toilets, drinking water, fire rings, a laundry, and picnic tables. It is accessible to handicapped people. This park is always open for recreation, but during the off season there might not be any staff available, Visitors should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to maintain their own safety.
Sargent's Purchase, NH
Mount Washington State Park and Mount Washington Observatory
1598 Mt Washington Auto Road 603-466-3347Park is at the peak of the highest summit on the East Coast; 130-mile views
Mount Washington State Park is on the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast, with the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest spread out below. Views can extend as far as Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Mount Washington Observatory is located here. The Sherman Adams Visitor Center has a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shops, and its museum. The park is accessible by the Mount Washington Auto Road (603-466-2222) or the Cog Railway (603-278-5404). Call ahead at 603-466-3347 for the latest summit conditions. The park is unreachable in winter.
Gorham, NH
Moose Brook State Park
Jimtown Road (off Route 2) 603-466-3850Moose Brook State Park in White Mountains offers a variety of outdoor activities, including walking and mountain biking on a profusion of trails.
Hiking and mountain biking trails.
See full description of Moose Brook State Park
Conway, NH
Echo Lake State Park
68 Echo Lake Road (Route 302) 603-356-2672Swimming, picnicking, scenic trails to Cathedral Ledge, rock and ice climbing
Located on Echo Lake, this is a fine park for swimming and picnicking. Walk the scenic trail around the lake for views of Cathedral Ledge, which looms 700 feet above the lake. Also, an auto road and hiking trails of about one mile in length take visitors to the top of Cathedral Ledge, with views of the Saco River Valley and the White Mountains.
Admission: Adults $4, Children 6-11 $2. - Trail Map (PDF)
Carroll, NH
Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park
3069 Route 302 603-323-2087Small park along highway is nice for stop-and-picnic
This small, 7-acre park was founded to honor the memory of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The park offers picnic area and walking trails and a great view of Mount Washington.
Dalton, NH
Forest Lake State Park
397 Forest Lake Road (Route 116) 603-466-3860Long sandy beach welcomes water sports; also mountain biking is done here
The park has a 200-foot-long sandy beach for swimming, fishing, and boating. Picnicking and mountain biking also are popular at this park. Canoe and kayak users can reach Forest Lake only by carrying boats a few hundred feet from the parking area. There is no boat ramp within the park, but a ramp is available on Newell Lane off Forest Lake Road.