Franconia Notch State Park is an eight-mile corridor of New Hampshire at its most dramatic. Interstate 93 runs through a glacial valley between Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Range, and the park has turned that valley into a string of stops: the Basin, a glacial pothole twenty feet across and fifteen feet deep, worn by the Pemigewasset River; Profile Lake and Echo Lake, two quiet mountain waters with a beach and swimming; the Flume Gorge; the Cannon Mountain tramway; and Lafayette Campground at the foot of Franconia Ridge. The Old Man of the Mountain, the granite profile that was New Hampshire's emblem, collapsed in May 2003, and the Profile Plaza memorial now lets visitors line up steel profilers that recreate the face against the cliff. Many visitors simply pull off the highway to enjoy the lakes and picnic tables, while others make the park a day-long base for hiking, biking and swimming.
The park's eight-mile Franconia Notch Recreation Path is among the best bike paths in the Northeast, running beside the river and lakes between Lincoln and Echo Lake. Rent a bike nearby or bring your own and ride a section; the gradients are gentle in the middle and steeper near the Flume. Hikers use the park as the gateway to Franconia Ridge and the Greenleaf Trail to Greenleaf Hut, and the Lonesome Lake Trail is a popular family hike to a pretty high-mountain lake with an AMC hut.
Echo Lake sits at the foot of Eagle Cliff and has a sandy beach, picnic area and a short loop path. In summer it is a pleasant place to swim, paddle and watch the cliff echo your voice back. Profile Lake, a short distance north, is a flat reflective lake where the Old Man once saw himself, and anglers fish for trout.
The Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site has a path, interpretive panels and the profile viewing devices, and in some years there is a small museum nearby; check what is open when you go.
Because the park is mostly free to enter at roadside stops, it suits budget travel; the Flume Gorge and Cannon tramway charge their own fees. Fall is peak season, and a good tactic is to start early at the Flume, move north for the tram or the Basin, and finish with a picnic by Echo Lake. Winter turns the park into a skiing and snowshoeing destination, with the Cannon ski area on one side and the bike path groomed for walkers.
The notch changes character with the light and the season, and it is worth returning to a favorite stop at a different time of day. Profile Lake at dawn is mirror-still and often empty; Echo Lake at midday is lively with swimmers and paddlers; the Basin in late afternoon is quiet as day-trippers head home. Anglers may find trout in the lakes with the proper license. Birdwatchers should look for loons, ospreys and ravens, and the high ridges attract peregrine falcons.
If you are camping, Lafayette Campground has sites close to the trailheads and fills quickly in summer. In winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers share the notch with downhill skiers at Cannon, and the Old Man memorial has a stark beauty under snow. Because the highway passes through the center of the park, traffic can be heavy on summer Sundays and during foliage weekends, so plan to head out early or linger for dinner and drive back after the rush.
What to expect
The experience
An eight-mile notch with roadside stops, lakes, a bike path, hiking trails and the Old Man of the Mountain memorial.
Best time
Weekday mornings from May to October. Fall foliage is stunning but crowded.
How long
Half a day for the highlights, a full day with the Flume and tram.
Tips
Start early. Bring a swimsuit for Echo Lake. Rent a bike for the recreation path.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the White Mountains in a single drive.
- Families
- Echo Lake beach, the Basin and the bike path suit kids.
- Couples
- Sunset at Profile Lake, a picnic at Echo Lake.
- Pair with
- Flume Gorge, Cannon Tramway, North Woodstock dining.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
What happened to the Old Man of the Mountain?+
The granite profile collapsed in May 2003. A memorial at Profile Plaza lets visitors see where the face once stood.
Is the park free?+
Many roadside stops are free, but the Flume Gorge and Cannon tramway charge their own admissions.
Can I swim at Echo Lake?+
Yes, there is a beach and swimming area in the warm season.
Where is the bike path?+
The Franconia Notch Recreation Path runs about eight miles along the river and lakes between Lincoln and Echo Lake.
What is the Basin?+
A glacial pothole about twenty feet across and fifteen feet deep, carved by the Pemigewasset River, with a short walking path from the parking lot.