New Hampshire outdoor adventures offer zip lines, rafting, snow sports for all ages

New Hampshire > State > Outdoor Activities > Outdoor Adventures

With its towering, majestic mountains and dramatic lakes, New Hampshire is a natural draw for people who like to challenge their bodies and minds out in nature. Fortunately, the people who live there and love outdoor adventure have developed some great places to play rough outdoors. Much of the outdoor adventure escapades in New Hampshire are made to accommodate people of all ages, kids, and the less-athletic among us. Start by considering the ways to get off the ground: zip lines, ropes courses, canopy tours, parasailing: wow! If you don’t favor a vacation on the ground or in the air, there is canoeing and kayaking, river rafting (some in white water), fishing. In winter, the environment glides easily into snow-based adventure: mountain bike trails become Nordic ski trails and snowmobiles stitch tracks through the woods. Accommodations welcome families, offer resort amenities, and include rustic surroundings in cabins and cottages.

Find more great outdoor adventures at Explore New England.

Ice Castles

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: Toll-Free: 888-407-4054

Dazzling displays mean you’ll crown these artful ice castles top winter attractions

Ice Castles is now closed for the season - See you again next winter!
Add some sparkle to your winter with a visit to the breathtaking Ice Castles, a magical masterpiece of ice thrones, sculptures, tunnels, slides and fountains. Walk along the enchanted forest path, admiring the hand-carved sculptures that seem to glow from within with their embedded LED lights. Or, better yet, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride (for groups up to 12 people) through the award-winning attraction. Set to open in early January, the winter wonderland features the work of ice artisans who grow and harvest up to 10,000 icicles a day. All in all, about 20 million pounds of ice go into creating the magical ambiance, aided by music and multicolored lights (and special fire shows on Friday and Saturday nights).

Moose! - Androscoggin Valley Chamber - Berlin, NH

Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce

961 Main Street Berlin, NH, 03570 Phone: 603-228-0836

If your spirit is adventurous, bring it along on your vacation in this outdoor playground

Bring your adventurous spirit, and your love of the great outdoors, to Androscoggin Valley, where the north side of Mount Washington meets the Upper Androscoggin River. That means there are all sorts of water activities, from kayaking, fishing (including fly and ice fishing), white-water rafting and canoeing to jumping into the perfect pristine swimming hole. In the winter, the skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dogsledding are fantastic. In the autumn, you can’t beat this scenic region’s hiking and biking trails. From moose tours to zip lines and rope courses, from ATV tours to golfing and camping, the valley has it all. And after your day in the great outdoors, there are comfortable inns and resorts, and a variety of first-rate restaurants, perfect for unwinding.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

1 Skimobile Road North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-786-6754

Summer at this ski resort means great hiking, chairlift rides, mountain biking

What can you do in the summer at a ski resort? Lots! At Cranmore Mountain Resort, take a seven-minute four-passenger chairlift ride to the top of the mountain. Then gaze out in awe at stunning views of Mt. Washington and its valley from 2,000 feet up. Grab lunch, snacks, a hot dog, ice cream or Bavarian pretzel at the historic Meister Hut. Then board the Skimobile Express Quad for a scenic chairlift ride back to the base area. Or, hike a half-mile loop around the summit with amazing views. (Want something longer? Take the 2-mile Black Cap Connector Trail.) The resort also has a family-friendly, lift-serviced downhill mountain bike park, with terrain for all ability levels, group lessons and rental bikes and gear.

Polar Caves

705 Rumney Route 25 Rumney, NH Phone: 603-536-1888

Put on your explorer gear and prepare to duck and shimmy through Ice Age caves

Time to be an explorer! Head to the Polar Caves and prepare to make all kinds of discoveries. Formed during the last Ice Age, the nine granite caves consist of granite boulders that formed passageways – and it’s those passageways, with the modern addition of boardwalks and stairs, that you’ll duck, squeeze and shimmy through. Can you get yourself through the slim crevasse of the Lemon Squeeze, or walk the narrow Devil’s Turnpike path? Can you touch the last of winter’s ice in the middle of the summer at the Ice Cave? When you’re done exploring, visit the animal park, with several fallow deer and ducks, all of which love kids bearing corn you can buy at the park. For hungry humans, there’s a picnic area.

Morningside Flight Park - Enjoy the exhiliration of tandem hang gliding today!

Raft NH

196 Main Street Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-545-4533

Guided rafting adventures a perfect day on the river in the Great North Woods of N.H.

You can take a walk to be part of the great outdoors: Or you can go whitewater rafting! At Raft NH, you will be up close and personal with the Androscoggin River – the section below the Pontook Dam – when you sign up for the Class II river runs. This laid-back day on the river means rafters from ages 6 and up can experience sections of milder rapids and calmer water, perfect for a swim. Class II trips are geared toward families and whitewater beginners, but everyone will enjoy their day in the White Mountains and Great North Woods of northern New Hampshire. The rafting adventure includes a guide, safety gear, comfort gear, a small snack and transportation to and from the raft base in Gorham.

Town of Bethlehem

White Mountains town makes a great headquarters for a variety of outdoor adventures

It’s hard to think of a place where the great outdoors is as great as it is in Bethlehem, N.H., making it the perfect headquarters for your adventures. Ski or snowboard down the slopes at one of six nearby mountains or hit the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking on endless area trails in Bethlehem and its charming neighboring towns. There’s also a network of snowmobile trails that take you right into town for lunch! In the warmer weather, enjoy hiking and biking on our extensive trail network or scenic roads, tennis, basketball – and swimming in the town pool and our pristine rivers. Bethlehem also boasts two exceptional 18-hole golf courses, designed by the legendary Donald Ross. Outdoor activities in the area include the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the Flume Gorge, Santa’s Village and Story Land.

Cannon Mountain

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

Tramway rides, hiking, biking, fishing: There’s lots to do on and around this mountain resort

Hop aboard the aerial tramway – the nation’s first – at Cannon Mountain and in under 10 minutes you’ll be marveling at the view from the 4,080-foot summit. On a clear day, you can see the mountains of four states – and Canada. There’s a 360-degree observation deck, scenic walking paths and cafe. Around the mountain are a variety of fun activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including the famous Flume Gorge with cascading waterfalls and covered bridges, rock-climbing at Cannon Cliffs, hiking and biking along the 8.8-mile Recreation Path and fishing in Echo Lake and Profile Lake, both stocked with trout. Camp on one of 97 wooded tent sites at Lafayette Place Campground or bring the RV to Cannon Mountain RV Park on the north shore of Echo Lake.

Bear Rock Adventures

545 Beach Road Pittsburg, NH, 03592 Phone: Toll-Free: 866-663-9777

Heed the call of your inner trailblazer by renting an ATV or snowmobile at Bear Rock

Is your inner trailblazer calling? Then head to Bear Rock Adventures, where they know the woods of northern New Hampshire like the back of their hands! Whether you want to explore “The Wilds,” the 1,000-plus miles of interconnected trails in northern New Hampshire, from the seat of a brand new Polaris ATV or snowmobile, Bear Rock has a customized itinerary perfect for you. Take a guided or unguided tour and zip past secluded waterways, through pastoral valleys and meadows and up to the tops of mountains with breathtaking vistas. The trips are for all experience levels, and all your safety gear is provided. Rent for a few hours or add in an overnight option, either at the Bear Rock Lodge or a mountaintop glamping site.

Alpine Adventures

41 Main Street Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-9911

You’ll experience the thrill of it all in so many ways at this outdoor adventure center

There are so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors at Alpine Adventures! Experience 300 private acres on Barron Mountain via off-road vehicles with guided Side X Side tours. Or zoom through – or over! – the trees with two heart-pumping zip line tours. Stay in the canopy on the tree-to-tree Tree Top tour or soar above it on the Sky Rider tour with higher, longer, faster lines, extreme tree platforms and sky bridges. Over at Thrillsville, take a self-guided adventure course that includes bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, zip lines and a tree house. And, finally, there’s the Off-Road tour, where you scale to the top of Barron Mountain in a six-wheel-drive vehicle that acts like a low-speed roller coaster.

America's Stonehenge

105 Haverhill Road Salem, NH, 03079 Phone: 603-893-8300

Mysteries abound at this incredible seacoast site

The forests near Salem, NH are home to this remarkable maze of rocks, stone chambers, and megaliths that may have been left by ancient visitors. But who were they? The question has stymied scholars for generations. The megalith filled pine woods eerily appear to be similar to those built throughout Great Britain by Druid priests. Adding to the mystery is the fact that you'll find megaliths of the same type scattered around New England. This site is one of the largest collections not on private property and not off limits to visitors. Visit the museum and enjoy the orientation film and gift shop that offers books with more information. In winter months the one-hundred-plus acres are also great for snowshoeing.

Great Glen Trails

Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

If it’s an outdoor sport and you have fun doing it, they have it at this mountain center

Hike, kayak, ski, snowshoe, bike: If it’s an outdoor sport and it’s fun, they have it at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, just 25 minutes north of North Conway at the base of Mt. Washington. With 28 miles of scenic trails, you can bike past meadows, hike into the woods and past rivers, or, in the winter, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The center’s kayaking options include wildlife tours, whitewater kayaking on the Androscoggin River and sunset paddles. Winter means zooming down an old-fashioned hill in a snow tube and fat biking through the snow. Summer means taking in a whitewater kayaking clinic or participating in a hiking/running series. See why the center is a multiple-year TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner.

Winnipesaukee Pier Fireworks - Lakes Region Association - New Hampshire

Lakes Region Tourism Association

61 Laconia Road Tilton, NH, 03276 Phone: 603-286-8008 Toll-Free: 800-605-2537

In the Lakes Region, your adventurous side will want to come out and play

No one celebrates the outdoors quite like New Hampshire's Lakes Region. With the area’s bounty of mountains and lakes, you have your choice in the winter of ski resorts, a hundred miles of snowmobile trails – and Santa’s Village, of course. In the sunshine seasons, choose from scenic gondola rides, ziplines through forests, great fishing, hundreds of miles of hiking trails through jaw-dropping scenery, boat cruises across crystal-clear Lake Winnipesaukee and several water parks. Pump up that adrenaline with rock and ice climbing, skydiving or exploring glacial caves. Or take it down a notch with golf, a walk through Shaker village gardens or a cog railroad ride up Mt. Washington. From moose tours to mountain biking, this area has it all.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

1712 Lost River Road -- Route 112W North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8031

See the powerful forces of nature at work when you tour a lost river and glacial caves

Marvel at the forces of Mother Nature when you tour the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in Kinsman Notch, a land of spectacular beauty. Walk a mile of boardwalk through the gorge as it winds its way along the Lost River, showing you jagged rock walls, gigantic boulders, cascading waterfalls and 11 glacial boulder caves whose formation began about 300 million years ago. Discover the Forest Adventure Trail, treehouse and suspension bridge or get a bird’s-eye view of the forest from the Giant Bird Nest. Pan for gemstones, shark’s teeth and fossils at the Lost River Mining Company. Or take an evening guided lantern tour when the caves are lit by lanterns and the boardwalks by headlamps. The tour ends with s’mores around a campfire.

Distinctive Inns of New England

Luxurious Accommodations throughout New England , NH Phone:

From skiing to swimming, New Hampshire inns are close to all the outdoor action

New Hampshire’s beauty and outdoor adventure options are routinely celebrated at the Chesterfield Inn and The Manor on Golden Pond, where guests are treated to warm hospitality and inviting surroundings after full days of outside activities. At the Chesterfield Inn, nestled in the Connecticut River Valley, nearby winter activities include snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating and snowmobiling, while warmer weather brings hiking on nearby trails, canoeing and kayaking on the river, golf, horseback riding and swimming in the lake. At The Manor on Golden Pond, overlooking Squam Lake and the foothills of the White Mountains, take a boat tour of the lake in an antique 1935 launch boat, hike up nearby Rattlesnake Mountain, golf at several championship courses or ski at one of five major resorts. Of course, tax-free shopping is another year-round draw, with plenty of unique shops offering everything from craft beer and spirits to specialty foods, apparel, gifts and so much more.

Morningside Flight Park

357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH, 03603 Phone: 603-542-4416

Adventure park pleasures from fishing to paragliding

Soar above the earth in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley at an outdoor activity park that offers a huge range of activities and services. Discover the thrill of a lifetime in hang gliding and paragliding, guided by folks with 30 years of experience in flight instruction. Lessons are offered to people of all skill levels and ages. Enjoy zip-lining and canopy tours, laser tag, fishing, swimming and kayaking. At a cozy campground surrounded by old-growth forest you can pitch your own tent or move into a set-up platform tent with full- or queen-size beds. The campground has many play and housekeeping features: fire pits, playing fields, picnic areas, a community kitchen, restrooms and bathhouse. You’re within easy reach of Boston, Hartford, Montreal, and New York.

Summer Dog Sled Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft Jefferson New Hampshire

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft NH

32 Valley Road Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-545-4533

Outdoor adventure, Alaska style. Take a sled dog ride!

Who are the experts at combining play and work? The answer is: dogs. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is the home of about 80 sled dogs, and they support the business by taking guests on sled dog rides – their favorite thing to do! This unique adventure is very hands-on and up-close. Meet the dogs that will take on the harness to whisk you along mountain paths, year-round. Summer rides are on comfortable dog carts, with a dog team in harness, just like on a sled. Another summertime arm of the business, Raft NH, offers mild-to-wild rafting adventures with a licensed Maine guide.

Rock Climbing - Mt. Washington Valley NH Chamber of Commerce

Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

It really is a great outdoors in this varied mountain valley region

The great outdoors is even greater than that in the Mount Washington Valley region, starting with the best skiing, downhill and cross-country, in the East as well as amazing ice castles and glacial caves to visit. Hiking trails through meadows and up spectacular mountains, ziplining, rock-climbing, moose tours, ropes courses. mountain coasters and every form of boating are all waiting for you. Walk to waterfalls, across wooden bridges and through gorgeous towns and villages. Explore water parks, family farms, indoor and outdoor skating rinks (learn to curl!), golf courses, fairs, festivals and farmers markets. And here’s an added adventure: The distances between these great outdoor activities for the whole family? Short, short, short, making your trip fun, fun, fun.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee

Great North Woods

Lakes

Merrimack Valley

Monadnock

Seacoast

White Mountains