New Hampshire - Scenic Drives

Peak Foliage Map

Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire recommends the following routes as scenic drives in the Dartmouth - Lake Sunapee region:

Route 12A, between Claremont and West Lebanon.

Route 31, between Newport and Washington.

Route 103A and 103B, in Lake Sunapee.

Route 118, between Canaan and West Rumney.

Route 10, between Hanover and Orford.

U.S. Route 4, between Salisbury and Danbury.

Route 11, between Georges Mills and Wendell.

Route 103 and 103A, between Wendell and Newbury.

Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire recommends the following scenic drives:

Route 109, between Center Sandwich and Wolfeboro.

Route 140, between Alton and Belmont.

Route 113, traveling between Holderness, South Tamworth and Silver Lake.

Route 3A, through Bristol, Hebron and Bridgewater.

Route 11, between Alton Bay and Glendale.

Route 125 in Milton north to Route 109 in Wakefield.

Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire recommends the following scenic drives through the Merrimack Valley. Leave some extra time: You never know what exciting spots you might run into along the way:

U.S. Route 4 in and around Boscawen.

Route 129, through Loudon.

Route 127, from Hopkinton to Salisbury.

From Mont Vernon, Route 13, to Route 77 into Weare.

Route 28, from Derry to Manchester.

Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire suggests the following scenic routes:

Route 1A, along the coast, between Hampton Beach and Portsmouth offers panoramic ocean and coastal vistas.

Route 101D, which travels through North Hampton.

Route 151, between North Hampton and Greenland.

White Lake State Park
Route 16
Tamworth, NH  03886
Phone: 603-323-7350

See Map

A popular park for campers, this park features three public campsites with room for 200 tents. Visitors will enjoy the beach on White Lake, swimming, boating and canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails. Of particular interest is a forest of NH pines spread over 72 acres, a National Natural Landmark.

Miller State Park
Route 101
Peterborough, NH
Phone: 603-924-3672

This park is the namesake of General James Miller, who was a hero in the War of 1812. Here visitors will enjoy incredible views, hiking, walking trails, and picnic areas. Climbers can head for the summit of Pack Monadnock Mountain, and a scenic roadway also leads to the top.

Peak Foliage Map

Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire also recommends the following scenic drives:

Route 119, between West Rindge and Winchester.

Route 202, between West Rindge and Hillsborough.

Route 10, between Marlow and Winchester.

Route 123, between Marlow and Hancock.

Route 137, between Jaffrey and Bennington.

Route 101, between Keene and Temple Mountain.

Route 124, between Jaffrey and Marlborough.

Crawford Notch State Park
Route 302
Harts Location, NH
Phone: 603-374-2272

This park is a fount of natural beauty: A mountain pass, the Presidential Mountain Range, and waterfalls. The falls are the Flume Cascades, the Silver Cascades, and the Arethusa Falls. There is a visitor's center, hiking trails, a scenic drive, fishing spots, and picnic areas. The park is also the site the Willey House, an 18th century way-station for travelers through the mountains. A campground is available to the public. Pets are permitted in campground area and other designated places only.

Franconia Notch State Park
Route 93
Franconia, NH  03580
Phone: 603-823-8800

See Map

Perhaps the most interesting of New Hampshire's state parks, Franconia Notch offers some incredible natural experiences. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain climbing up Cannon Mountain and Mount Liberty, fishing, canoeing, boating, and picnicking. Winter activities offered include cross-country ski trails, alpine skiing and snowmobile trails. Trails include a portion of the Appalachian Trail, and lead to spectacular sites. Historic site of The Old Man of the Mountain, a natural phenomenon created by a series of granite ledges jutting from a cliff face 1,200 feet in the air, which collapsed in 2003. The Flume is a 800 foot gorge with high granite walls, which support a variety of mountain flora in the warmer months. The Basin is a glacial pothole over 20 feet wide, formed at the base of a waterfall by the onslaught of the rushing water. Sightseers will enjoy a ride on the park's Aerial Tramway to the top of Cannon Mountain, where the view is spectacular. A public campground is also available.

Great North Woods Regional Foliage Reports

Mount Washington State Park
Route 302
Sargent's Purchase, NH
Phone: 603-466-3347

Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the Northeast U.S. and this park the opportunity to get to the summit and enjoy the incredibly scenic view. The summit building, along with the historic Tip Top House stand at the top of this 6,288 foot peak. This can be reached by hiking or climbing to the top, taking the scenic, winding road, or the Cog Railway. There are fees charged for both the railway and the drive.

Peak Foliage Map

White Mountains Regional Foliage Reports

The State of New Hampshire also recommends the following scenic routes:

NH Route 26, between Colebrook, Dixville and Errol.

NH Route 16, between Conway and Errol.

NH Route 2, between Lancaster and Shelburne.

Franconia Notch Parkway, which runs between Franconia and Lincoln.

NH Route 302, between Bethlehem and Glen.

NH Route 10, between Orford and Woodsville.

NH Route 112, between Bath and North Woodstock.

NH Route 118, between North Woodstock and Rumney.

NH Route 16, between Errol and Milan.

U.S. Route 3 between Colebrook and the Canadian border.

NH Route 49 in the Waterville Valley.

NH Route 110, between Dummer and Northumberland.

NH Route 117, between Franconia and Lisbon.

Bear Notch Road, between Bartlett and the Kancamagus Highway.

Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway), between Conway and Lincoln.

The Mountain Road which runs from U.S. Route 3 in Lancaster to the top of Mount Prospect.