New Hampshire has what you need if you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience. The White Mountain National Forest is, without a doubt, the greatest wilderness area in the state and covers ¼ of New Hampshire’s surface.
The mountain range includes my favorite peaks: Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette. It is also close to other states like Vermont, Maine, and the Canadian border. It makes it perfect for a road trip through New Hampshire.
You should bring your family and friends on this New Hampshire road trip itinerary because impressive views, fun, and fresh air are guaranteed.
In this blog post, you’ll explore an itinerary to make the most of your trip to New Hampshire. Remember that this planning is a suggestion and can be adjusted to your needs or weather changes.
Let’s dive into a 3-day family trip in New Hampshire.
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3-Day New Hampshire Road Trip Itinerary (RECAP)
Here is the itinerary into which I’ll give more details further :
- Day 1 : Hike Mount Washington.
- Day 2 : Enjoy the non-mountain activities like North Conway Outlets and Story Land.
- Day 3 : Hike Mount Lafayette
If you’re visiting with kids, we have some pro tips to make the most of your trip.
Day 1: Mount Washington
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States. I hiked it a few times, and I have never been disappointed. It’s a significant physical challenge, but the views will highly reward you since the landscape is unique and impressive landscape.
I suggest starting from the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and following the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Here is everything you need to know about the hike and the trails.
Distance: Approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles), return trip.
Elevation: 6,288 feet (1,917 meters)
Elevation gain: 4,252 feet (1,296 meters).
Time needed: 10 hours.
Hiking hours: The AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is open from 6:30AM to 9PM.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on leash, but not inside the buildings.
Parking location: AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
Fees: No fees for parking or for hiking access.
The best time for the Mount Washington hike is from June to October. That is when the weather is nicer and the trails are more accessible. As a reference, I did the hike at the end of May, and there was still snow and ice on the trails.
During that day, we saw many people ski touring in the valley between Tuckerman Ravine Trail and Lion Head Trail. This gives you an idea.
Note that the peak season is from July to September, and more visitors will be there.
Climbing Mount Washington is a big challenge. It’s in a similar range to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park or Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. It’s considered a difficult trail.
There are lots of steep sections. Before reaching the summit, it will be primarily rocks (, but people with hiking experience can complete the itinerary.
The trail starts in the forest and is well-maintained. The path is mostly dirt, small rocks, and roots. As you keep climbing, the path will be mostly made of big rocks with fewer and fewer trees. You should follow the Inukshuk if you don’t want to get lost.
💡 Traveling with kids? Here are pro tips for families wanting to hike Mount Washington:
Depending on the age of your children, Mount Washington can be a challenging hike, and you need to be well-prepared. The weather can change quickly, and it can also get incredibly windy up there, and this could complicate your adventure.
👉 What I suggest is hiking up to the Hermit Lake Shelters and enjoying a snack and family time right there. Instead of hiking 13 kilometers and gaining 1,296 meters of altitude, you’re hiking 8,5 kilometers and gaining 564 meters. That way, it’s more accessible for kids, and you still enjoy a nice view of the valley.
Day 2 – Enjoy Family-Friendly Activities (No Hike)
Hiking is great, but a rest day never harmed anyone. The last time I did this itinerary, my group and I did Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette in two days. We even took a wrong turn in Mount Lafayette, adding a few additional kilometers. It was a good challenge for the legs.
Hence, I suggest a more relaxing day between the two hikes.
There are plenty of things to do around for the family. Like visiting Story Land, the best amusement and theme park in New Hampshire. There are 30+ attractions for the kids to enjoy, like rides, carousels, games and other entertainment. 2024 marks their 70th birthday and you can enjoy shows with fluffy mascots and princesses throughout the day.
Right beside the park (0,3 miles), there is also the Living Shores Aquarium, where you can see a wide range of aquatic species: fish, rays, sharks, otters and many more. You can even touch and feed some of these animals in unique pools. The whole family can get their money’s worth.
Finally, there is also Settlers Green Outlet Village. It’s a great place to do some tax-free shopping. You’ll find more than 60 outlets. You can find brands like Adidas, New Balance, Columbia, Levi’s, Under Armour and many more.
If you’re looking for a busy day, you have plenty of activities to enjoy not far from one another.
Day 3 – Mount Lafayette
With a high elevation gain, Mount Lafayette offers impressive views of the small mountain ranges. What is unique about Mount Lafayette is the series of ridges that you climb.
It’s just one summit after the other, and they each offer a different perspective. Also, the weather is less unpredictable than the neighboring mountain of Mount Washington. It is a challenging hike, but it is reachable for many people.
To give you an idea, when I was young, our whole class of 12-year-olds managed to complete the loop. I suggest starting from the Franconia Notch Parking and following the Falling Waters Trail.
But since it’s a loop, you can also start your hike the other way on Old Bridle Path. You’re going to get to the same place, don’t worry. Here is everything you need to know about the hike and the trails.
Distance: Approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), loop trail.
Elevation: 5,249 feet (1,600 meters)
Elevation gain: 3,320 feet (1,012 meters).
Time needed: 8 hours.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on leash and off-leash in some areas but not inside the buildings. I recommend keeping your dog on a leash if you’re hiking in peak season.
Parking location: Franconia Notch Parking. Use the following GPS points: 44°08’31.5″N 71°40’53.1″W.
Fees: No fees for parking or for hiking access.
The best time to do the Mount Lafayette hike is June to October. That is when the weather is nicer and the trails are less muddy. I did the hike at the end of May, and there was no more snow on the trails. Note that the peak season is from July to September, and more visitors will be there.
Mount Lafayette is rated as a difficult hike, with lots of steep sections and great elevation gain. But it’s easier that Mount Washington. The terrain is mostly rocky, but the trails are well maintained.
💡 Traveling with kids? Here are pro tips for families wanting to hike Mount Lafayette:
As I said earlier, I already did this hike with a group of 12-year-olds, and everyone completed the loop. Nonetheless, it is still considered a good challenge for young kids.
👉 If you want to reduce the physical effort, I suggest you take the Old Bridle Path (left from Franconia Notch Parking) and reach the AMC Greenleaf Hut. With a view of the Eagle Lakes and the ridges, you can enjoy your snack with a great view. Doing so reduces the distance of your hike from 14 kilometers to 8.5 kilometers. It becomes an out-and-back trail instead of a loop.
All You Need to Know to Plan Your New Hampshire Road Trip
Where to stay near Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette?
If you plan to hike both Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette, the towns of Bartlett or Jackson in Carroll County is the best home base. First, you will have easy access to the forest and nature. My VRBO rental even had a direct view of Mount Washington when I went there.
Second, you’re in the center of every activity and hike there is to do around. You can stay at the same place to sleep for the whole trip. For example, here are the distances from Bartlett :
- Mount Washington: 21 minutes – 16 miles
- North Conway Outlets: 23 minutes – 13 miles
- Story Land: 8 minutes – 5 miles
- Living Shores Aquarium: 10 minutes – 5 miles
- Mount Lafayette: 54 minutes – 46 miles
One excellent accommodation option for me on these road trips is always Airbnb or VRBO. Whether you’re a small or big group, there are more than 500 rentals to look up around these parts that may suit your needs. It is easy to find something at 50$ per person per night.
Usually, it costs less than a hotel room, and you have everything you need to be comfortable and cook some satisfying food after your hikes.
If you want to live the full outdoor experience for a few days, you can also stay at a camping site. Green Meadow Camping Area is a good option since it’s family-oriented and close to all the activities. Their prices range from $36 to $54 USD per night for a family of 2 adults and two children.
What do you bring when hiking Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette?
I suggest bringing sturdy hiking shoes with good grip lugs in case the trails and the rocks are wet. You can bring your hiking boots for better support if you have bad ankles.
If you hike in the peak season (summer), bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. There aren’t really any trees on top to protect you from the sun. Have at least 2 liters of water, a lunch, and energized snacks to keep you going during the day.
Don’t forget that it is a pretty long hike (around 10 hours). In the colder season, when there is still snow on top, you should have ice cleats on your hiking boots. You should also have warm clothes and an excellent multi-layer system to stay warm and dry while hiking.
Weather and Safety Tips ⛑️
On the right day, with great weather, hiking can be a piece of cake for anyone and can be so much fun. However, let’s not forget that nature is unpredictable.
Mount Washington is a great example of that. At the bottom, you will start your hike with a pair of shorts. But, reaching the summit, you realize there is still snow, and the temperature dropped 15 degrees Celsius. It’s similar to hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
Please take seriously your preparation for climbing Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette. This means:
- monitor the weather before climbing,
- bring enough food and water,
- bring warm and appropriate clothing and
- don’t hike alone if possible.
Finals Thoughts: Road Trip through New Hampshire
New Hampshire has something great to offer hikers, and the White Mountains are a unique mountain chain in the United States. I hope this 3-day itinerary motivates you to explore the area and enjoy the outdoors.
If you decide to carry out this itinerary with friends and family, I guarantee you will come out of your weekend with fond memories and great pictures. I like to pay a visit to the White Mountains every few years when I have the chance.
✍🏻 This post was written by Jerome Lortie, writer and founder at Required Basics.
Jerome is a big outdoor and pizza fan. He’s passionate about hiking and always looking for the next bigger mountain to climb. For him, nature is a place to find his peace and recharge his battery. While other people plan their travels to relax, he will plan his trips according to which mountains he can climb.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.