The White Mountains Travel Guide – USATODAY

New Hampshire

The White Mountains

Sailors approaching East Coast harbors frequently mistake the pale peaks of the White Mountains—the highest range in the northeastern United States—for clouds.

via The White Mountains Travel Guide – USATODAY.

Update February 2026

In the rugged heart of New Hampshire, the White Mountains represent the jagged, granite soul of the Northern Appalachians. For the Appalachian Mountain Dreams audience, this region isn’t just a tourist stop—it’s a high-altitude pilgrimage of mist, stone, and deep-rooted New England history.

Confined to the Appalachian peaks of the Granite State, here is your breakdown of the counties that define the White Mountain region and the interests within each.

## Grafton County: The Western Gateway & The High Ridges

Grafton County holds the western flank of the White Mountains, characterized by dramatic “Notches” (mountain passes) and some of the most iconic hiking on the entire Appalachian Trail.

  • Franconia Notch State Park: The centerpiece of the county. While the “Old Man of the Mountain” has fallen, the Flume Gorge remains—a natural 800-foot chasm with sheer granite walls and cascading waterfalls.
  • The Appalachian Trail (Franconia Ridge): Often cited as the most beautiful stretch of the AT, the ridgeline traverse over Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln offers literal “Mountain Dream” vistas above the treeline.
  • Lincoln & North Woodstock: These towns serve as the basecamp for the western Whites. Of interest here are Clark’s Bears (a 1928 family tradition) and the Lost River Gorge, where boulder caves invite exploration of the glacial past.
  • Kancamagus Highway (Western End): One of the nation’s premier scenic byways begins its eastward climb here, offering access to the Pemigewasset Wilderness.

## Coos County: The Presidential Range & The Great North Woods

This is the “Top of New England.” Coos County contains the most rugged and high-altitude terrain in the state, dominated by the Presidential Range.

  • Mount Washington: The highest peak in the Northeast. For the Mountain Dreams voice, the Mount Washington Cog Railway (the world’s first mountain-climbing railway) and the Auto Road represent the historic human drive to reach the clouds.
  • The Presidential Range: Peaks named after Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. These are grueling, rock-strewn climbs that define the “Northern Odyssey” spirit.
  • Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Huts: High-altitude sanctuaries like Madison Spring Hut and Lakes of the Clouds Hut allow hikers to sleep above the trees, a core experience for any Appalachian enthusiast.
  • Jefferson: Home to Santa’s Village, proving that even among the giants, there is room for family whimsy and mountain magic.

## Carroll County: The Eastern Slopes & The Saco Valley

The eastern side of the Whites in Carroll County is where the mountains meet the valleys, offering a blend of rugged notches and historic resort culture.

  • Crawford Notch State Park: A deep, boulder-strewn pass known for its sheer cliffs and the historic Mount Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods, standing as a grand monument to Gilded Age mountain travel.
  • North Conway & the Saco River: This is the heart of mountain commerce and culture. The Conway Scenic Railroad offers nostalgic journeys through Crawford Notch that are perfect for those who love the intersection of machinery and nature.
  • Pinkham Notch: The jumping-off point for Tuckerman Ravine, famous for backcountry skiing and its “Bowl” which holds snow deep into the spring.
  • Jackson: A quintessential “white-steepled” mountain village, home to the iconic Honeymoon Covered Bridge, embodying the romantic aesthetic of Appalachian life.