When it comes to beautiful destinations to visit in the fall, the White Mountains in New Hampshire should be at the top of your list. This area is home to exceptional parks, like Franconia Notch State Park and the stunningly beautiful Artists Bluff Trail. Not only is this the best Franconia Notch hike, but it’s one of our absolute favorite places to witness New Hampshire’s fall foliage.
We are lucky to be surrounded by exceptional beauty in the White Mountains—and it’s not limited to Franconia Notch State Park, either. Head the Mt. Washington Auto Road, hike on some of the area’s best hiking trails, ride up to the top of local ski areas, or drive along the stunning Kancamangus Highway. There are limitless things to do in the White Mountains throughout the year, but especially in the fall.
Whatever it is you do this fall, it’s bound to be beautiful. At the heart of your stay will be the luxury accommodations offered by the Sugar Hill Inn, the #1-rated Bed and Breakfast in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Book your room at our New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast today!
Hike the Artists Bluff Trail
The Artists Bluff Trail is one of our favorite Franconia Notch hikes in the White Mountains area, and it’s a hike we frequently recommend to our guests. It’s a beautiful hike to take any time of year, but during the fall it takes on a magical quality that must be seen to be understood. The Artists Bluff Trail is relatively short, at just 1.5 miles, but it leads to a breathtaking view over Echo Lake in Franconia Notch State Park. In the distance, you’ll see Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch, which are simply alight with color at this time of year.
The Artists Bluff Trail is best accessed from the Bald Mountain trailhead. From there, you’ll head up a short but steep 1.5-mile trail, ending on a rocky overlook with views of Franconia Notch State Park. The view is incredible in the fall. This view is made even more impressive by visiting at sunset – and given that it’s such a short hike, it’s easy to do in the twilight hours of the day. It will take 15-20 minutes to go in each direction.
If you want to hike more in this area, you can continue to the open summit of Bald Mountain. It’s just another spur off the main trail.
The Best of Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch State Park is a stunning place to visit and is certainly one of the top attractions in the area. In addition to the Artists Bluff Trail, Franconia Notch State Park is filled with plenty of things to do. It’s a place best described as filled with wonder. Within the park are several hiking trails, biking trails, an aerial tramway that takes you to the top of Cannon Mountain, rock climbing, birding, fishing, and so much more. A few highlights of Franconia Notch State Park include:
- Besides hiking to Artists Bluff Trail, the Flume Gorge will be the highlight of your visit to Franconia Notch State Park. The gorge is open from May – November. As you walk through the gorge, walls of granite rise from between 70-90 feet above you and are only separated by 12-20 feet of space. At the top of the gorge is Avalanche Falls, a 45-foot waterfall.
- Another popular feature in Franconia Notch State Park is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. This was the first passenger aerial tramway in North America and has operated since 1938. It takes 8 minutes to reach the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The tramway is open from May to October.
- The Basin, a large pothole in the Pemigewasset River, was formed by a glacier around 25,000 years ago. It’s a beautiful granite bowl easily accessible just off the main highway through the Franconia Notch.
- Echo Lake is a beautiful and serene place to spend the day. It offers gorgeous views of Lafayette and Cannon Mountain and is an excellent place for fishing and boating.
- The Sentinel Pine Bridge is a beautiful example of a covered bridge in New Hampshire and is located in Franconia Notch State Park.
Where to Stay Near Franconia Notch State Park
While visiting Franconia Notch State Park and hiking the Artists Bluff Trail is certainly a must, we’ve written plenty about all of the other great things to do in the White Mountains this fall. As you can see from that extensive list, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to do in this area in the fall. Even so, the only thing better than seeing this fall foliage up close is enjoying a romantic getaway at our New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast.
The Sugar Hill Inn offers a cozy mountain retreat and exceptional hospitality and is home to the best restaurant in the White Mountains. Staying here truly is special, and we have no doubt it will lead to many future getaways to the White Mountains for you. Allow yourself to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty of New Hampshire this fall. Book your room at our New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast today.
