Your Best Guide to Lupines in New Hampshire

Did you know that lupines are legumes? Yep, they belong to the genus Lupinus in the legume family Fabaceae, a diverse group of flowering plants that often give us riches like beans, soybeans, lentils, and chickpeas. Unlike other family members, lupines are rarely eaten, as their seeds contain alkaloids that make them bitter. They sure are pretty tho’! 

There are about 200 species of lupines, most of which grow to 1 to 5 feet but a few species can grow to 10 feet tall. Colorful and striking, their spikes of flowers can be easily seen from a distance and when they bloom, prairies and meadows come alive with shades of blue and purple. 

Wanna see them? This blog post is for you! Here are all the best places to enjoy lupines in New Hampshire! 

Best Time to Find Lupines

Lupines usually bloom between late spring and mid-summer, typically lasting for several weeks only. In New Hampshire, these flowers will usually bloom in June, which is why the locals hold the yearly Sugar Hill Lupine Festival throughout the month. The best period for blooming lupines in New Hampshire is early to mid-June when they’re still at their peak. 

Where to Find Lupines in New Hampshire

The fields in the White Mountains are filled with blossoming lupines every June. Here are some well-known spots to find these legendary flowers.

1. Sugar Hill 

The most well-known spot for lupine-watching is the tiny town of Sugar Hill. To get there you need to take I-93, head northwest of the White Mountains, and take Exit 38 to head to Route 117. Sugar Hill is deemed New Hampshire’s Lupine capital and it even hosts a yearly celebration called the Sugar Hill Lupine Festival. 

In this town, you’ll be able to see thousands of purple, pink, white, and blue lupines as well as other brightly colored wildflowers on fields of Sugar Hill’s roads. A good spot to enjoy some views is at Polly’s Pancake Parlor on Lover’s Lane. You’ll be able to enjoy a good breakfast and beautiful fields of lupines just outside of the restaurant. 

Another spot in Sugar Hill is the Sugar Hill Sampler, an 18th-century barn that’s been turned into a gift shop and museum on Sunset Hill Road. The building overlooks fields of lupines across the road, and you can take a stroll through the flowers on the designated path. 

You can also find more lupines right next to St. Matthew’s Chapel located at the corner of the Birches Road. Walk along Sunset Hill Road and head to downtown Sugar Hill to find more pockets of lupine fields that are protected by Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust.  

2. Bethlehem

Another town in the White Mountains region that’s also filled with lupine is Bethlehem. Dubbed the highest town in New Hampshire, you can reach Bethlehem by taking I-93  to Exit 40 and going on Route 302. A good spot to find lupines in Bethlehem is Lewis Hill Road, off to the right of Route 302. 

You can also find lupines and other wildflowers in The Rock’s Estate, a 1,400-acre forest reservation with numerous trails and fields open to the public. It’s great for a picnic lunch among wildflowers or learning a few things about the surroundings. 

3. Franconia

Franconia is the home to the northern half of Franconia Notch State Park. To get to Franconia, take I-93 to Exit 38, then take Route 116 to head downtown. A good place to start your journey is the Frost Place Museum, which was writer Robert Frost’s family home when they lived in Franconia in 1915 to 1920. It is now converted into a non-profit educational center for poetry and arts.

Right outside of the old farmhouse, you’ll find fields of lupines which you can enjoy from the front porch. Another place to find lupines is the Franconia Notch State Park which sits on the edge of White Mountain’s fields. You can go for a picnic during the day or pitch a tent in the area for an overnighter. 

There’s also the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in the state park where you can catch a glimpse of wildflowers from above. Lastly, you can head to Timber Lane and drive through fields of lupines on both sides. 

4. Easton

Easton is a teeny town located near Sugar Hill. Its proximity means you can find fields of lupine all around this area too. To get to Easton, head to Route 116 from I-93 Exit 38 or take the Sugar Hill-Easton Road from Sugar Hill. A good place to start in Easton is the Wonder Fall Farm, on Gingerbread Road. There’s also a good patch of lupines around the small town’s fire department.  

5. Lisbon

Lisbon is another quaint little town near Sugar Hill. To get to Lisbon, from I-93 take Exit 42 and then go down Route 302. A popular spot to see fields of lupines is Pearl Lake. From Route 302, make a turn on Route 117 and head down Pearl Lake Road. You can catch a glimpse of lupine fields along the way and when you arrive on the spot by the banks of the lake. 

6. Along Interstate-93

Aside from the towns, you can also enjoy the sights of lupine fields along Interstate 93. As you drive through the interstate, you’ll find patches of flowers from Exit 32 right through Exit 41. Some highlights include just before North Lincoln Exit 33, before and after Exit 36, between Exits 38 and 38, and right before Exit 41. 

If you don’t want to miss anything, check out the Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce’s handy map that indicates some lupine areas to watch. These areas include byways, scenic roads, and places of interest in Franconia, Bethlehem, Sugar Hill, Lisbon, and Easton. 

Other Activities 

While you’re looking for lupines, here are some other fun stuff you can get up to! 

1. Visiting Littleton where you can shop and have lunch. This town has one of America’s Best Main Streets and was called one of the Top Ten Dream Towns by Outside Magazine. Take Exit 41 from I-93 or head toward Old Littleton Road from Sugar Hill. Some highlights in the town’s Main Street include the Opera House, River District, boutiques, art galleries, and local breweries. 

2. Go to the world’s first mountain-climbing railway and New England’s highest peak at Mt. Washington Cog Railway. To get to the railway, take Exit 40 from I-93 and follow Route 302E. 

3. Tour the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel and Resort. In this resort, you can enjoy a zipline canopy tour, swim in a heated outdoor pool, enjoy a day at the spa, or go on a skiing adventure. To get to this resort, take Exit 35 at I-93, then take Route 3N and follow Route 302E to Bretton Woods. 

4. Have an evening adventure at Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. The dinner features a lavish five courses and a two-hour train ride inside a 1950s restored vintage rail car. You’ll travel along the Pemi River Valley on a historic timberline created in the early 1800s.  To reach the cafe, take Exit 32 off I-93, then head to Route 112. 

Tips on Seeing Lupines in New Hampshire

If you’re going lupine hunting, here are some things to note. 

1. Don’t trample the flowers or fields and take extra care when you’re taking a picture. 

2. Don’t pick the flowers, leave them for others to enjoy. If you want to enjoy lupines at home, visit a plant nursery to get seedlings instead and grow them at home.  

3. Don’t go through private property. Because it’s abundant in the state, these flowers are easily found, including on private properties. Visit public spaces only to avoid getting into trouble with the locals and stay on the paths that are visible through the fields. 

4. Leave no trace. Dispose of your waste properly, leave what you find, and respect wildlife. Pack up everything you bring with you and leave things as they were before. 

5. Keep a lookout during the drive. These flowers have been known to bloom on byways and roadsides, so there’s a good chance you’ll encounter them along the way. 

Final Thoughts - Your Best Guide to Lupines in New Hampshire

There you have it! Plenty of options for you to go looking for pretty flowers in New Hampshire. Be sure to get the season right, as they bloom primarily in June. As always, leave no trace and stick to the trails to avoid hurting the vegetation. Have fun! 

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