Visiting the Lakes Region of New Hampshire offers a unique opportunity to explore the rugged beauty of Franconia Notch State Park, an ideal destination for those who appreciate the grandeur of nature in the scenic White Mountains. Franconia Notch is an easy drive away from our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire and is a highlight for many visitors to the area. There, you’ll find sprawling landscapes and dramatic geological features that profoundly contrast the gentle shores of the lakes.
If you’re looking for adventure, be it waterfalls, hikes, bike trails, or scenic vistas, Franconia Notch State Park is the place to go. It offers the best of what the White Mountains in New Hampshire have to offer. While the park offers numerous activities and sights, its intrinsic allure lies in its raw, untouched natural environment. Your visit to Franconia Notch State Park is only made better by other nearby attractions, including some of the premier New Hampshire waterfalls.
Franconia Notch State Park and the waterfalls in the White Mountains region are just a small part of all that awaits you in New Hampshire this spring, summer, and fall. The best way to experience the best of this incredible region is by staying with us at our lakefront Bed and Breakfast. Our charming accommodations provide a cozy retreat after a day of exploration and gives you the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the local culture, discover hidden gems, and perhaps find a favorite spot by the lake to return to year after year. Book your stay at our Laconia Bed and Breakfast today!
Explore the Best of Franconia Notch State Park
The landscapes at Franconia Notch State Park are truly mesmerizing. They’ve been carved out over centuries by wind and water and offer a unique glimpse into the geological forces that make this region such a remarkable place to explore. Franconia Notch State Park is located in the White Mountains, just north of the Lakes Region.
Within about an hour’s drive, you’ll be on the edge of the White Mountains, where you’ll be immediately struck by the dramatic vistas of the rugged peaks and sharp silhouettes contrasting against the sky. Franconia Notch State Park has miles of trails that explore these mountain landscapes up close. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do in Franconia Notch State Park.
- Visit Flume Gorge, a natural granite gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. Visitors can walk through the narrow chasm on wooden walkways and marvel at the towering, moss-covered granite walls. At the end, you’ll come across Avalanche Falls, one of the best waterfalls in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
- Take a ride on the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, which ascends to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain, offering panoramic views of the White Mountains, Vermont, New York, and into Canada.
- Explore the Basin, a striking geographic area featuring glacial potholes smoothed over thousands of years by the flowing waters of the Pemigewasset River.
- Hike the diverse trails, such as the challenging Franconia Ridge Loop or the breathtaking Artists Bluff Trail.
- Discover Echo Lake Beach, where you can enjoy swimming in the pristine waters of Echo Lake, picnic along its shores, and paddle on these serene waters, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.
- Learn about local history and nature at the New England Ski Museum, which offers fascinating exhibits on skiing’s development and cultural impacts in New England.
- Birdwatching and wildlife observation are rewarding activities, with the park providing a habitat for various birds and animals.
- Don’t forget to come back to Franconia Notch State Park this winter, when you can have a bit of fun, including skiing at Cannon Mountain, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on othe trails.
Don’t Miss These Nearby Waterfalls in New Hampshire
Franconia Notch State Park is one of the many reasons to visit the White Mountains. You’ll also find some of the most impressive waterfalls in New Hampshire, along with a host of other natural wonders and charming towns worth visiting. These waterfalls range from towering cascades to gentle, tumbling waters over granite rocks. Many are tucked away in scenic forests, offering even more reasons to get out and chase waterfalls in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s waterfalls are often at their peak in the spring, but many of them are stunning throughout the summer and fall, too, drawing nature lovers, hikers, and photographers alike, all seeking to capture their ephemeral beauty. Some of the most impressive waterfalls near Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountains include:
- Arethusa Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire. Water cascades down approximately 200 feet into a scenic pool below.
- Sabbaday Falls is an easily accessible, stunning, three-tiered waterfall in New Hampshire. The view is dramatic as it cuts through a narrow flume into calm pools below.
- Silver Cascade and Flume Cascade are neighboring waterfalls that are visible directly from the road in Crawford Notch.
- Crystal Cascades is an impressive two-tiered waterfall with an upper fall that plunges 60 feet and a lower fall that tumbles 20 feet into a serene pool surrounded by a rich forest canopy.
- The Falling Waters Trail features a series of cascading drops and impressive waterfalls in New Hamshire.
When your adventure is over, there’s no better place to rest your weary body and rejuvenate your soul than at our pristine, lakefront Bed and Breakfast. We offer exceptional accommodations on the shores of Lake Winnisquam, just outside downtown Laconia. We’re centrally located to all the best things to do in the Lakes Region and within easy reach of top-rated destinations in the White Mountains, like Franconia Notch State Park.
Don’t miss the chance to explore this summer. Book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire today!
