New Hampshire is one of the best places in New England to see fall foliage. It’s where to go to see the landscape transform into a dazzling palette of fiery reds, golden yellows and vibrant oranges. It’s wild and rugged terrain also make it perfect for an outdoors escape where you can explore its mountains, forests, and waterfalls.
This 3-day New Hampshire fall itinerary is designed to help you experience the state’s best scenic drives, small towns, outdoor adventures and foliage spots. Leaf-peep from the comfort of your car or hike through the White Mountains, there are things to see and do for everyone.
We did this trip in early October which was perfect timing for peak fall foliage in New Hampshire. For those with extra time you can extend your adventure with our longer New England fall road trip itinerary through Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts.
You may also be interested in our other New England and Vermont guides:
New Hampshire fall itinerary summary
- Day 1: Arrive in New Hampshire, visit Mount Washington via the auto toll road or cog railway
- Day 2: Experience the scenic Kancamagus Highway
- Day 3: Explore Jackson including its scarecrow and pumpkin festival, and visit Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch State Parks, head home
When to visit New Hampshire for fall foliage
Peak foliage in New Hampshire typically occurs between late September and mid-October, depending on elevation and weather conditions. The White Mountains region (where this itinerary focuses) is usually at its best in late September to early-October. For the latest updates, check this fall foliage tracker.
How to get to New Hampshire
This itinerary focuses on the White Mountains region, the heart of New Hampshire’s fall scenery. To get here you can:
Fly
- New Hampshire’s primary airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. From here it’s a 2.5 hour drive to the White Mountains. Rental cars are available at the airport and are essential for exploring this itinerary.
- Alternatively, Boston Logan International Airport is a larger hub about 3 hours away.
Drive
- New Hampshire is easily accessible by car from Boston (2-3 hours), Portland in Maine (1.5-2 hours) and Burlington in Vermont (2.5 hours).
Where to stay in New Hampshire
We recommend basing yourself in Jackson. This laidback mountain town is located in the White Mountains and feels like a quintessential New England fall getaway. It’s centrally located for exploring Mount Washington, the Kancamagus Highway and nearby state parks and offers a variety of amenities as well as accommodation options including inns, hotels, and AirBnbs. Top places to stay in Jackson are:
- The Snowflake Inn: Elegant, cosy inn offering suites and breakfast.
- The Wentworth Inn: A historic inn with elegant rooms and a romantic atmosphere.
- Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club: A charming mountain hotel with panoramic views and classic New England style.
- Other options: For more privacy, book a cabin or Airbnb surrounded by fall foliage.
Day 1: White Mountain National Forest – Mount Washington
Morning/afternoon:
Arrive in New Hampshire in the morning at your chosen point and make your way to the White Mountains. During fall the landscape is blanketed in spectacular fall foliage colours. Start your New Hampshire fall trip with a visit to one of the region’s highlights: Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the northeastern US (6,288 feet). On a clear day it’s possible to see across New England into five states – New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York. Alongside sweeping vistas, at the summit you’ll also find Mount Washington natural history museum and a restaurant to pick up food and drinks.
There are two options to reach the top of Mount Washington:
- Option 1 Mount Washington Cog Railway: This historic train ride takes a 2 hour round trip to the summit of Mount Washington. Prices range from $84-66 per person and advance booking is essential. You can choose from a biodiesel or a classic steam train, but the steam train trips stop running to the summit in late September and only goes to the mid-mountain stop.
- Option 2 Mount Washington Auto Toll Road: Take a winding drive up the eastern slope of the mountain. Entrance fee is $65 per car. Expect dramatic ascents and hairpin turns, but all with fantastic views.
The mountain is notorious for erratic weather and more often than not while the bottom of the mountain may be sunny, the top is covered in thick cloud obstructing the views. You can check the live summit conditions before heading up to make the best judgement.
Evening:
After Mount Washington, it’s a beautiful 25-minute drive from the auto toll road entrance or a 45-minute drive from the Cog Railway to Jackson where we recommend basing yourself for the next 2 nights. Surrounded by the White Mountains, Jackson is a classic New England fall getaway that offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and small-town charm and is conveniently located to explore all this region has to offer. Although the town is small, you will find a golf course, cafe, jigsaw shop, deli, and tavern. We’ve saved exploring Jackson for day 3 of this itinerary, but if you want to head out for dinner we recommend the Wildcat Inn & Tavern which offers hearty pub food, live music and a weekly pub quiz. Or head to the Red Fox Bar and Grille on the outskirts of town – this place gets busy so it’s best to make a reservation.
In terms of accommodation, as mentioned the town offers a range of options including Inns and hotels to suit a range of budgets. We stayed at the RiverWood Inn which was pleasant. We thought the Snowflake Inn, located more centrally in town, looked particularly inviting and cosy.
Day 2: White Mountain National Forest – Kancamagus Highway
Morning/afternoon:
Spend today on the legendary Kancamagus Highway, or ‘the Kanc’ as locals affectionately call it.
A short drive from Jackson, this iconic 34.5 mile scenic route winds through the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, offering some of the best fall foliage views in the United States making it a must for all leaf-peepers. But, no matter the season, this drive is a must-see destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and road trip enthusiasts. The Highway has earned its status as an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, beauty, and culture.
To experience the highway in full, we recommend joining in Conway and ending in Lincoln (or vice versa). As you drive along the highway, there are numerous places to stop and take in the views and fall foliage and there are many opportunities to go on a short stroll or a longer hike.
On your way to the highway, make a quick stop in Conway to look around Zeb’s General Store and pick up gifts and souvenirs ranging from New England speciality foods, old fashioned candy, antique relics and Christmas decorations. This is also a good place to pick up a few bits for a picnic to enjoy along the Kanc.
Once you reach the highway, we recommend the following stops along along the way (in order from Conway to Lincoln):
- Albany Covered Bridge: First up on your trip down the Kanc is historic Albany Covered Bridge. Built in 1858, the bridge spans 120 feet across the Swift River. This is a picture-perfect spot with autumnal trees framing the bridge. Spend about 15 minutes here walking inside the bridge and along the shore of the river for a different perspective.
- Lower Falls: Just a 2-minute drive from Albany Covered Bridge is your next stop, Lower Falls. This is a beautiful area to take a short walk to see the Swift River as it tumbles down over boulders. The river is lined with trees turning bright shades of yellow, orange and red making it a perfect photo spot.
- Rocky Gorge: Continuing on 4-minutes up the road, you’ll arrive at your next destination along the Kanc, Rocky Gorge. Here, the Swift River takes a dramatic cascade surrounded by granite formations. A short, easy walk leads you to several viewpoints of the river and a bridge. Again, the foliage here is spectacular adding to the beauty of the area.
- Sabbaday Falls: Heading 10-minutes further along the Kanc, you’ll reach Sabbaday Falls. A 20-30 minute family-friendly walk through a forest will lead to a stunning three-tiered waterfall and gorge. A walkway alongside the waterfalls offers excellent viewing areas.
- CL Graham Wangan Overlook and Panoramic Overlook: Head further along the highway for another 10 minutes as you climb in elevation until you reach an area of several viewpoints including CL Graham Wangan Overlook, Pemigewasset Overlook and Panoramic Overlook. Here you’ll be treated with sweeping mountain views of the White Mountain National Forest in all its fall glory. Enjoy a picnic or simply take in the views.
- Lincoln Woods: The final stop we recommend along the Kanc, is Lincoln Woods. Here you can join the trailhead that leads over a suspension foot bridge and follows an abandoned railroad. The bridge is right at the start of the trail so it is easy to access if you just want a short walk. If you want to continue along the railroad, it takes approximately 45 minutes return trip. This walk is stunning during the fall as you are surrounded by falling leaves, it’s the perfect end to your Kanc adventure.
Driving the Kancamagus Highway without stops takes about 45-minutes, but to fully enjoy its beauty with the stops listed above, allow at least 5 hours. While there were a lot of people out enjoying the Kanc we never found it to be overwhelmingly busy, even during peak foliage season.
Day 3: Jackson, Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch State Parks
Morning/afternoon:
On your final day in New Hampshire, explore Jackson and see sights such as the Honeymoon Covered Bridge at the entrance to the town, Flossie’s General Store and Gift Emporium, and White Mountain Puzzles Store. There is also a variety of cafes and delis in Jackson where you can stop by for coffee and cake or a light lunch such as Autumn Nomad Cafe, Madeline’s Snack Shack and J-Town Deli & country Store.
Fall in Jackson also means festival season. Throughout October, the town hosts Return of the Pumpkin People, a month-long celebration where businesses display imaginative scarecrow and pumpkin-themed creations. It’s quirky, fun and pure New England. Take a self-guided tour of the displays as you wander around town.
Once you’ve finished exploring the town, make your way to Crawford Notch State Park. This beautiful region lies in the White Mountains National Forest just north of the Kancamagus Highway. The sprawling area is a fall foliage paradise with clear mountain lakes, wildlife and beautiful scenery. Here, every vista is painted with shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Must see spots for fall foliage in Crawford Notch State Park include:
- Frankenstein Cliff: This is a rewarding hike which has panoramic foliage views across the valley, as well points of interest including a waterfall and an old railway bridge.
- Willey House Dam: On calm days, the pond mirrors the vibrant leaves coating the mountainside creating a stunning scene as seen in the photo below.
- Mount Willard: This is a moderate hike offering sweeping views of Crawford Notch.
From Crawford Notch head north along Route 302 and join Insterstate 93 South to make your way to Franconia Notch State Park. This is another spectacular part of the White Mountains. This area offers rich foliage viewing including:
- Flume Gorge: An area with many waterfalls and cliffs framed by colourful trees in the fall.
- Echo Lake: Which is perfect for a reflective autumn stroll or a kayak ride on a calm day.
- Governor Gallen Memorial: This is a scenic viewpoint of Mount Lafayette which is especially striking in fall.
Evening:
That evening make your way back to the airport to fly home or drive onto your next destination. If you do have more time, check out our longer New England fall road trip or our 3-day Vermont fall itinerary – perfect for adding onto this New Hampshire trip.
If you have any questions about planning this trip, feel free to drop a comment below. We’d love to help you craft the perfect itinerary.
