Top Places to Visit in New Hampshire for Fall Colors

Fall foliage season in New Hampshire is in one word, SPECTACULAR! Folks from all over the nation flock to the Granite State to enjoy sunny days and cool nights, and of course, admire the stunning display of colors that the state  is famous for.

If you’re thinking of visiting us, we’d love to share all our favorite places to visit in New Hampshire for fall colors! 

1. Kancamagus Highway

The Kancamagus Highway is an excellent place to enjoy our fall foliage season. The location is easily accessible via I-93 in Lincoln, New Hampshire, or Route 16 from Conway. Take exit 32 and Route 112 is the Kancamagus Highway.  

The exact time when fall foliage is most impressive at Kancamagus Highway is hard to pinpoint, but usually, the leaves start to change color around the middle of September and its peak period is the first two weeks of October. You can check Kancamagus Highway’s live Fall Foliage Webcams on their website to find out in real-time. 

2. Rocky Gorge Scenic Area

One of the stops on Kancamagus Highway, Rocky Gorge is one of the best places to find more fall foliage. It’s 8 miles west of Conway, New Hampshire. Park your car and follow a pathway along the Swift River to reach the Scenic Area. You’ll find a 15-foot waterfall and plenty of rapids along the Swift River surrounded by colorful fall leaves. 

The best spot is a pedestrian footbridge that crosses the gorge where you can get a better view of the foliage. The ideal time to visit this area is similar to Kancamagus Highway, from late September to mid-October.  

3. Sabbaday Falls

Another pit stop along the Kancamagus Highway, Sabbaday Falls is located between Lincoln and Conway. Follow the trailhead that’s marked with “Sabbaday Falls”. The hike is around 15 miles west of Saco Ranger Station on Route 112. 

This short trail is only 0.7 miles from the parking area and takes about 18 minutes to complete. Sabbaday Falls is a series of small waterfalls that are easy to access with stairs, platforms, and a viewing bridge. The waterfalls have an impressive 45-foot drop, and there’s also a homestead at the base of the trail that explains the history of the falls and the region. The peak of fall foliage in Sabbaday Falls is around early October. 

4. Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook

An overlook just off the Kancamagus Highway, this area gives you views of Mount Tremont, Owl Cliff, Bear Mountain, and Sugar Hill. It has a small pavilion with historical information and is popular during peak fall foliage. It’s a nice stop where you can catch a glimpse of the surroundings before continuing to nearby towns. 

5. Lincoln Woods Trail

Lincoln Woods Trailhead is located within the majestic western part of the White Mountains. Follow Route 112 just off the Kancamagus Highway east of the Town of Lincoln. At 5.8 miles roundtrip, it is a relatively easy trail that follows along the old East Branch and Lincoln Railroad parallel to the Pemigewasset River until you reach the Pemigewasset Wilderness boundary. 

You can continue to the Franconia Falls Trail for around 0.2 miles or the Black Pond for around 0.4 miles from the Lincoln Woods Trail. Another favorite is Olney Pond, which is surrounded by colorful trees and located within the State Park as well. 

6. Dixville Notch State Park

The Dixville Notch State Park is located in Colebrook, about four hours from Boston. Take Route 3 North which goes right through Franconia Notch, giving you more scenic views during your journey. The Dixville Notch State Park is perfect for viewing fall foliage if you’re early in the season because it happens around mid-September, unlike the rest of the state which is usually in October. 

The park has several pull-offs if you want to park and go for a quick hike. You can also walk to several waterfalls or go up to the Table Rock Trail for an even better view. The trail is around 2.4 miles with moderate difficulty. 

About 0.2 miles from the trailhead, you’ll find Huntington Cascades, two waterfalls that are 18 and 50 feet high. The scenic viewpoint will come another mile into the trail and after 0.1 mile you’ll find Table Rock summit. 

7. Artist Bluff Trail

To reach the Artist Bluff Trail, you’ll need to take Highway I-93 and continue to exit 34C toward Cannon Mountain Ski Resort then head west on NH 18. You’ll find a large parking area and signage for both Bald Mountain and Artist Bluff Trails. 

It’s located within the Franconia Notch State Park and gives you impressive views of Cannon Mountain, Echo Lake, and Franconia Notch. The hike is relatively easy and short, with a distance of only 1.5 miles. The easiest way is by the Bald Mountain trailhead, which has a steep ending but flat terrain elsewhere.

A favorite time for tourists to hike Artist Bluff Trail is just before sunset. It’s short enough so you can get back to the parking lot by nightfall. 

8. Mt Willard Trail

Mt Willard Trail is located just off Route 302 towards Crawford Notch. It’s a 3.1-mile hike that takes around 2 hours to complete. This area has similar peak fall foliage to the rest of New Hampshire and features stunning red, yellow, and orange leaves along the trail. 

You’ll start at Saco Lake, then continue to find the waterfall cascade and centennial pool. The best time to go to Mt Willard Trail is earlier in the morning because it’s a very popular hike that can get very crowded after 10 am. The best view is from the summit, where you can get a glimpse of the routes below surrounded by fall foliage in Crawford Notch. 

9. Jackson Village

To get to Jackson Village, take Route 16 south until you find Jackson’s famous covered bridge. This area usually shows peak fall foliage during the first week of October, but it depends on the temperature of the year. The safest bet would be early to the 13th of October. 

However, if you want the full fall experience in Jackson, delay your visit and catch the Pumpkin People locals who will scatter all over the village in late October. This annual event is where businesses create scenes from movies and pop culture using pumpkins for heads. 

10. Cathedral Edge Lookout

Located in Bartlett, New Hampshire, this park has a mile-long road that leads to the top of the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge where you can catch views of Saco River Valley to the White Mountains. Aside from the road, you can also go on numerous hiking trails located at Echo Lake State Park. 

The hike is around 2.8 miles and takes about one and a half hours to complete. This landmark is reachable via Route 16 through North Conway Village. You can also visit the nearby White Horse Ledge for more views of the valley. 

11. Castle in the Clouds

Castle in the Clouds offers amazing views of fall foliage in Moultonborough. This castle was built by a rich shoemaker, Tom Plant. The estate went into foreclosure after his death and went through several owners before it was turned into Castle in the Clouds and was opened to the public. 

The castle's complete address is 455 Old Mountain Road, Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Drive in until you reach a small gatehouse and park in the lower parking lot to take the shuttle to the house. The caretaker will give you a tour of the house where you can look down onto Moultonborough Bay with various fall colors and lakes. The best time to visit this castle is mid-October to enjoy peak fall foliage.  

12. Lake Winnipesaukee

One of the best scenic drives in New Hampshire, this lake offers 134 views looping around the lake. You can start your journey in Alton Bay and trace the lake by going to Wolfeboro. The fall foliage will start to turn in mid-September in this area, but it can last until most of October. 

The best way to enjoy fall on this lake is by joining a cruise, on a kayak, canoe, or boat. You can also take a foliage train tour with the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad that takes you along the lake. There are also several trails available for you to hike, from the easy Belknap Mountain Trail to the challenging Mount Major Trail. 

13. Mount Monadnock

Mount Monadnock is one of the best ways for you to enjoy views of the region and its surrounding hills and small towns. To get to the top of the mountain, take Old Toll Road and White Arrow Trails that start at Monadnock’s southern face.

Go on Route 124 from Jaffrey to Troy and look for a parking lot before finding the trailheads. Don’t forget to visit nearby attractions, such as the Milford Pumpkin Festival held annually in early October and Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard to pick your apples. 

14. Squam Lake

Squam Lake is made of two lakes that are connected by a narrow channel. A good place to start is the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center which you can reach by taking exit 24 from I-93, going south on Route 3, and turning to Route 113. 

One of the best ways to enjoy Squam Lake’s foliage is by boating and there are vessels for rental in the nearby marina. There are also botanical gardens, swamp walks, and trails for those who want to enjoy it on foot.

Final Thoughts - Places to Visit in New Hampshire for Fall Colors 

Fall is a magical season in New Hampshire. Not only are the temps perfect, but the state comes alive with stunning landscapes filled with vibrant hues. 

If you need more information on hikes, scenic places, or visitor information, give us a shout. Or if you need accommodation, we can hook you up with one of our houses. Pay us a visit! We look forward to welcoming you at Gidana Getaways.