KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY, WHITE MOUNTAINS, NH
FALL IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS | After living in New Hampshire for almost 12 years, it seems inconceivable that I hadn’t yet been to the famous Kancamagus Highway in the fall! But it is the truth. I finally got around to it this year, and guys…I have been missing out…
The highway is built for the avid leaf peeper. They have scenic outlooks at several points along the drive, a beautiful gorge, a covered bridge, hiking, you name it! There are lots of people that drive it at this time of year, but it didn’t hinder the peacefulness for me. I love a good road trip; just staring out the window at the passing scenery, it’s my kind of trip. The highway was the perfect day trip/road trip. We packed a picnic lunch and took off for the afternoon.
The Highway stretched between Lincoln and Conway, so you can start in either town. We decided to drive west to east, because we wanted to enjoy the fall foliage without the sun getting in our eyes as it started to set. We made stops at the Rocky Gorge overlook, a beautiful gorge full of waterfalls, and the Albany Covered bridge.
It was the perfect afternoon!
HELPFUL LINKS:
TIPS:
- Take the sunlight and time of day into consideration depending on which end of the highway you are starting from. You don’t want to be driving west in the late afternoon, or you won’t be able to see the foliage!
- At many of the stops, you need a Park Pass to park. There should be a box for you to pay in the parking lot if you haven’t picked a pass up at a ranger station beforehand.
- The first or second week in October is usually best for fall color in the White Mountains!
- It’s pronounced “kang-guh-MAH-gus” and NOT “kang-guh-MANG-gus”, no matter what the New Englanders around you are saying. *wink*
