Crawford Notch State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Crawford Notch State Park is a beautiful natural area located in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire.
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Summary
There are many reasons to visit this park, including its stunning natural scenery, abundance of wildlife, and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities.
One of the main points of interest within the park is Crawford Notch, a narrow pass through the mountains that has been used for centuries as a trade and transportation route. Visitors can hike or drive through the notch and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Other popular attractions within the park include the various hiking trails, which range from easy walks to challenging mountain climbs, as well as scenic drives along the park's many winding roads. There are also several campgrounds within the park for visitors who want to spend more time exploring the area.
Interesting facts about Crawford Notch State Park include the fact that it was once home to several Native American tribes, as well as early European settlers who used the area for farming and logging. The park also contains several historic landmarks, such as the Crawford House hotel and the Willey House, which was destroyed in a landslide in 1826.
The best time of year to visit Crawford Notch State Park is generally in the summer months, when the weather is mild and there are plenty of outdoor activities available. However, the park is also popular in the fall, when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a stunning display of natural beauty.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Dry River Campsites
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Dry River - Crawford Notch State Park
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Ethan Pond Shelter
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Fourth Iron Campground
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Rocky Branch Shelter #1
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Naumann tentsite
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