Grafton: Lakes, Mountain Passes and Glacial Landscapes

Franconia Notch is a mountain pass through which a unique parkway runs. Franconia Notch State Park lies in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. Travel experiences range from lakes and river gorges to hiking, skiing, museums, and breweries.

Mountain Pass, River Gorge, and Glacial Formations

The landscape can be experienced through a variety of geological formations. At Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, the Cockermouth River has cut a narrow gorge into the bedrock on its way to Newfound Lake; the area covers 272 acres. Loon's Glacial Caves were formed differently: they originated from granite boulders deposited during the last ice age. The Polar Caves tell another glacial story. As a continental glacier melted, large granite boulders broke away from Hawk's Cliff. The two cave areas therefore represent different formation processes, while Sculptured Rocks shows how a river cuts a gorge into the rock.

Lakes, Beach, and Waterside Views

The Peninsula Nature Trail in Wellington State Park offers views across Newfound Lake and of Cliff Island and Belle Island. The park has the largest freshwater sand beach in New Hampshire's state park system. This brings together two different perspectives on the shoreline: views from the trail and a sand beach on a freshwater lake. Lake Tarleton also has a swimming beach, which is unsupervised. Lake Tarleton State Park is intended for recreational activities; follow any posted notices about closures or restrictions.

Hiking and Skiing on the Mountain

At Loon Mountain Resort, visitors can hike through boreal forest to the summit in summer. For skiing, the resort has more than 400 hectares of skiable terrain, 73 trails, and glade areas. Ski area figures may change; check them before your trip. The Mount Washington Cog Railway offers a different kind of ascent: it climbs through three climate zones to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington. This gives you a choice between a hike through boreal forest and a rail journey through several climate zones.

Museums and Public Programs

The Franconia Notch branch of the New England Ski Museum is located at the foot of the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. Admission to the Cog Railway Museum is free. The Hood Museum offers free public programs, including tours, lectures, workshops, and family days; the events are open to everyone and vary. Cultural options range from a museum visit to public events. If you plan to visit the Hood Museum, you can check its program in advance.

River Walkways and Breweries

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves are located in Kinsman Notch along Route 112, which heads west. A boardwalk runs alongside the Lost River. At the Lost River Mining Company sluice, visitors can search for gemstones for an additional fee on top of the admission price. In Campton's Upper Village, Dam Brewhouse has a tasting room and beer garden. As operations and facilities there may change, it's worth checking the latest information before visiting. Tours at Woodstock Inn Brewery end with a tasting of several of its own beers; times and offerings may change, so check in advance.

Discover more destinations: Franconia, Waterville Valley, Alexandria, Campton, Thornton, Woodstock, Plymouth, Sugar Hill, Holderness, Hanover, Hebron, Lebanon, Lyme, Canaan, Lincoln, Ashland, Littleton, Bethlehem.

For the broader travel overview: New Hampshire.