Dixville Notch: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls, and Resort History

Dixville Notch combines natural attractions with a history shaped by a summer inn and resort. Dixville Notch State Park covers 127 acres; its hiking trails lead to Table Rock and nearby mountains. There are also waterfalls and historical connections to resort development. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip here, you can first decide whether hiking trails, waterfalls, or local history should shape your stay.

Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

In Dixville Notch State Park, the Table Rock Trail leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Lake Gloriette and the entire Notch. The Sanguinary Ledge Trail passes five viewpoints. The trails therefore offer two distinct types of views: at Table Rock, the lake and the entire Notch are in view, while the five viewpoints along Sanguinary Ledge are situated along the trail. Dixville Notch can also be explored as a loop hike on the Cohos Trail. The Baldhead Shelter is located in the Dixville Notch section; from there, views extend for 45 miles.

Route 26 also passes through Dixville Notch. On a trip combining driving and hiking, you can experience the destination from two perspectives: the drive through the Notch and the trails to Table Rock and nearby mountains.

Waterfalls in Dixville Notch

At Baby Flume, the waterfalls cascade down a total of 18 feet over three tiers. The waterfall is less than 0.1 miles from a roadside parking area. Huntington Cascades are located in the heart of Dixville Notch State Park. A walk of about ten minutes leads to the upper falls; trail conditions may vary. These two waterfall destinations have different reference points: for Baby Flume, it’s the distance from the parking area; for the upper Huntington Cascades, it’s the walking time.

Historical Connections to Resort History

The Dix House was a 25-room summer inn from which travelers from the White Mountains discovered Dixville Notch. The Balsams marks another part of the resort’s history: the Panorama Golf Course was designed by Donald Ross in 1912 and built as an 18-hole, par-72 course. Four years later, in 1916, The Balsams developed into a large resort with 400 rooms when the Hampshire House was built. The 25-room summer inn and the 400-room resort differ markedly in size.

Planning Your Time

Two different time frames are useful for planning your day: the Cohos Trail loop hike can be completed over a long afternoon, while a walk of about ten minutes leads to the upper Huntington Cascades. These time estimates apply to different destinations and help distinguish a longer hiking block from a shorter walk. So, if you’re looking for a hotel, consider how you’d like to fit hiking time and individual natural attractions into your stay.

Explore more destinations: Lancaster, Berlin, Carroll, Whitefield, Errol, Milan, Dummer, Groveton

For the main travel overview: Coos.