The Kancamagus Highway, known to everyone as the Kanc, is Route 112, a 34.5-mile National Scenic Byway across the White Mountain National Forest between Conway on the east and Lincoln on the west. The road crests Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet and passes through the Swift River valley and the upper Pemigewasset watershed with almost no commercial development. There are no gas stations or restaurants for the length of the drive, which is part of its charm, so fill up and bring a picnic. The stops come thick and fast: the Albany Covered Bridge, Rocky Gorge and Falls Pond, Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls (a short walk to a gorgeous series of cascades), the Russell-Colbath Historic House, Pemigewasset Overlook, Hancock Overlook and the Lincoln Woods Trailhead with its swinging footbridge. It is a classic in October, when foliage traffic can double the drive time, but spring runoff and summer swimming holes are almost as good.
Many trailheads along the road require a White Mountain National Forest recreation pass or day-use fee, which you can buy at the visitor center in Conway or the kiosks along the way; check the current fee rules. Cell signal is patchy in the middle section, so download directions before you start. The highway is paved and well maintained but narrow and winding, with steep sections and sharp curves, and winter conditions can close pullouts and trails.
A west-to-east drive from Lincoln gives a good sequence of overlooks, while east-to-west starts with the Swift River and the Albany Covered Bridge. Allow at least three hours with stops and as many as a full day if you plan walks to Sabbaday Falls, Champney Falls and Lower Falls. The Pemigewasset Overlook offers one of the best open views of the notch. The Russell-Colbath House is a small museum of the homesteading past.
Foliage season is the busiest, with traffic jams on weekends. To avoid crowds drive early on a weekday morning, start from the Lincoln end and leave time for dinner in North Conway or Lincoln. If you prefer a guided drive, a self-guided audio tour can narrate the route through your phone, and a private tour can add hikes and local stories. In winter the road remains open though conditions can be difficult, and snowshoe and cross-country ski trails run from the pullouts.
Choose your stops by what you enjoy rather than trying to see everything. Sabbaday Falls is the best short walk for families, with a flat path and a series of cascades and pools at the end. Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge are the best swimming and picnicking spots when the weather is warm, though the water is cold and the rocks slippery, so supervise children carefully. The Pemigewasset Overlook and Hancock Overlook offer wide views with no hiking required.
If you love history, the Russell-Colbath House is a small museum of nineteenth-century mountain life. Photographers should plan to visit the Albany Covered Bridge early or late, when the light is soft and the crowds thin. Wildlife is always possible, so drive carefully at dawn and dusk, when moose cross the road. Finally, remember that this is a national forest road: carry out what you carry in, stay on marked paths and respect closures that protect trails and wildlife.
What to expect
The experience
A 34.5-mile National Scenic Byway across the White Mountain National Forest between Conway and Lincoln, with overlooks, waterfalls, covered bridges and short walks.
Best time
Weekday mornings in fall and summer. Late September to mid-October is peak foliage.
How long
Three hours minimum; a full day for stops and short hikes.
Tips
Fill up on gas before you start. Carry a recreation pass if needed. Download maps in advance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone: it is the White Mountains in one drive.
- Families
- Short walks and swimming holes work with kids.
- Couples
- Overlooks at golden hour and a picnic at Sabbaday Falls.
- Pair with
- Lincoln Woods, Loon Mountain, North Conway.
- Time needed
- Three hours to a full day.
Good questions
How long is the Kancamagus Highway?+
The byway is 34.5 miles between Conway and Lincoln on New Hampshire Route 112.
Are there gas stations on the Kanc?+
No. Fill up in Conway or Lincoln before you drive it.
When is foliage peak?+
Usually late September to mid-October, though timing shifts with the weather each year.
Do I need a pass to park?+
Many trailhead parking areas in the national forest require a day-use or recreation pass, so check the current rules.
Is it open in winter?+
Yes, though conditions can be demanding. Check road reports before you go.