Summary
There are many good reasons to visit the park, including its stunning natural beauty, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Other points of interest in the park include Echo Lake, which is a great spot for swimming and fishing, and the Flume Gorge, which is a narrow canyon that is more than 800 feet long and features towering walls of granite. Visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, which range from easy walks to challenging climbs.
Interesting facts about Franconia Notch State Park include its history as a major transportation route for Native Americans and early settlers, as well as its role in the development of skiing in the United States. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Franconia Notch State Park depends on your interests. Summer is a popular time for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities, while fall is known for its colorful foliage. Winter brings skiing and other winter sports, while spring is a quieter time to explore the park's natural beauty. Regardless of the season, Franconia Notch State Park offers something for everyone and is a must-see destination in New Hampshire.
Weather Forecast
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
Liberty Spring Tentsite
Liberty Springs Tentsite
Lafayette - Franconia Notch State Park
Eliza Brook Shelter
Kinsman Pond Tentsite
Kinsman Pond Shelter