Are you planning to visit New Hampshire to enjoy the attractive colors of foliage? The article is beneficial if you want to experience shades of red, yellow, and orange around NH’s lakes, towns, and the White Mountains.
Let’s get started;
In the Granite State, fall is one of the most colorful seasons of the year. The foliage period starts in September and ends in late October. Nobody tells you the exact time because sometimes the foliage period begins at the end of August and sometimes at the start or mid of September.
Many foliage places worldwide exist, but Granite State’s beauty is top on the list. Thousands of people visit yearly to enjoy the stunning scenery, which never disappoints anyone.
By the middle of August, these vivid displays of colorful leaves started to fade and dull. This all happens as a result of the chemical process of the leaves. This season is one of the year’s most crowded and busiest times as fall approaches.
Best Time for Fall Foliage New Hampshire
It is impossible to simultaneously see all the autumn colors in an entire state. Firstly, the color of the leaves changes starting from high-altitude and northern areas and leaving the changes in the seacoast area at the end.
On the other hand, it does not matter whether these dates will always be correct because it entirely depends on the weather. Early October to mid-October is the best time to visit the location to see all autumn colors.
However, if you don’t come on time, you will find an unexpected rainstorm, barren trees, and a windy day. As it is the busiest time, it is recommended to reserve your getaways in advance. Don’t worry if you come before the start of foliage because there are many opportunities to have fun in this valley.
There are many scenic drives, boating, hiking, and biking opportunities. In contrast, if you think natural attractiveness is not according to your expectations. You can instantly move to another area to make fun because NH is a small state.
The Granite State has beautiful regions where you love the greenery. One is the Great North Woods, and the other is the Monadnock region.
Fall Foliage New Hampshire Dates 2024
According to different weather factors and from our experiences, the best foliage forecasting dates in other regions exist.
| Region Name | Including Areas | Fall Foliage Expected Date |
| Lakes Region | Lake Winnipesaukee Squam Lake Plymouth | October 10 to 20 |
| Great North Woods | Dixville Notch Berlin Milan Hill State Park | September 26 to October 5 |
| Dartmouth-Sunapee | Lake Sunapee Hanover | October 5 to 15 |
| Merrimack Valley | Manchester Concord Nashua | October 20 to 25 |
| White Mountains | North Conway Franconia Mount Washington Lincoln White Mountain National Forest | October 5 to 10 |
| Monadnock | Keene Peterborough Mount Monadnock | October 10 to 20 |
| Seacoast | Portsmouth Dover Hampton Beach | October 20 to 31 |
Best Towns for Fall Foliage in New Hampshire
Monadnock:
The Monadnock region is a beautiful place for visitors and has a lot of attractions, but many tourists do not explore its delightful treasures and overlook the area. It is located in southwest New Hampshire and is much more attractive in the fall.
The area is famous due to New England’s most climbed mountain “Mount Monadnock.” It is an ideal mountain for experienced and beginner climbers. We also love it because the fall foliage views from Mount Monadnock’s summit are incredible.
On a road trip, you can be significantly entertained by Monadnock’s history and charming Norman Rockwell paintings. There are many old-fashioned antique shops in Peterborough.
Jaffrey Center has lovely old homes, Chesterfield has beautiful lake scenery, and Fitzwilliam has gorgeous town common. There are also many good bed and breakfasts. The nearest stop to Monadnock is Jaffrey.
Jackson Village:
Jackson Village is a trendy spot for visitors in summer and winter. Enjoy fun activities like skiing, kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing. There is a covered bridge called “Honeymoon.” It was built in 1876, and it’s the main village entrance.
Jackson has many hiking paths because White Mountain National Forest surrounds the small town. In New Hampshire, it is known as one of the best places to enjoy the fall foliage. It is recommended to check the Jackson Scenic Loop. Jackson Village has many resting spaces, restaurants, and dine-in hotels.
Piscataqua River:
On a rental cruise, it’s a perfect choice to see the autumn colors along the Piscataqua River. In Portsmouth, the rental boats are available from mid-September through October. At the foliage cruise, the views are astonishing because much land is undeveloped alongside the route.
If you are a leaf-peeper, sit back and relax because the whole journey will impress you. Portsmouth is an excellent base for the Piscataqua River.
Mount Willard:
Mount Willard is located in Hart’s town. From the summit, see the stunning fall foliage colors at the start or mid of October. This place is famous for snowshoeing, hiking, and birding. The best site for Hiking is Notch State Park.
The total track’s distance is 1 hour and 50 minutes. There are a lot of parking spaces, but the train station is the most famous parking place. Hiking depends on suitable weather conditions. However, hiking is not allowed in heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Mount Washington:
It is the tallest peak in the Northeast United States, and natives called it “Agiocochook.” The mountain is 6288 ft. long in elevation and covers 60 acres of land. It is situated in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and is called the crown of the Presidential Range.
It is a top spot to experience autumnal colors from Granite State. As you go up to the peak, you will find very few trees, but greenery is sufficient to see fall foliage.
The views from the summit are amazing when the weather is clear, as the summit is renowned for its extreme weather conditions.
It is always important to watch the weather conditions before visiting the location. There are three ways to get to Mount Washington to enjoy the natural beauty.
Firstly, hiking is a good approach only for experienced hikers, but for beginners or non-experienced, it is dangerous. Many people died in Mount Washington’s exposure journey.
Secondly, use Mount Washington Auto Road by getting a special bumper sticker, “This Car Climbed Mount Washington.”
Thirdly, use the Mount Washington Cog Railway. It is the first old-fashioned mountain-climbing train. It is an 8-mile drive to reach the summit.
There is also a museum, restrooms, shops, and a cafeteria.
Lake Winnipesaukee:
In summer, New Hampshire’s largest Lake Winnipesaukee, is the best stop to visit. There are also many fun activities in autumn, considered less crowded and quieter. Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad is the best approach to enjoying the changing colors of leaves in the fall months.
A beautiful few-hour rail journey will take you from Meredith and Weirs Beach. Along with a rail journey, you can go hiking, experience a scenic sunset cruise, and visit the Castle in the Clouds mansion.
Moreover, if you want to see the different shades of water, you can bring your kayaks and canoes. If you take glass pictures of hills and trees, you should visit them in the early morning. Lake Winnipesaukee is 186 square kilometers, covering 21 miles long and 1-9 miles wide.
It is possible to ski and ice fish in the winter. The spring is the time for sugar maple trees, and the summer is best for water sports. There are many areas to choose from, such as Meredith, Center Harbor, Tuftonboro, Alton, and Gilford.
Dixville Notch State Park:
In Granite State, Dixville Notch is considered the early foliage area. The small town offers stunning autumn colors. Dixville Notch is a park that covers an area of 128 acres. The park has Gorge and Two Brooks Waterfalls.
There is no need to walk far to explore natural attractions because you will discover different places after a hike of 0.1 miles. It includes an 18-foot waterfall Baby Flume with three drops. In a journey, many opportunities exist to experience different shades of fall foliage.
In addition to its scenic gorge on the southern side, there is a lower fall on Huntington Cascades, located a little further down. This place includes an upper fall of 50 feet and a lower fall of 18 feet.
Kancamagus Scenic Byway:
In New Hampshire, driving on Kancamagus Highway in the fall is one of the best activities to entertain with leafage. Locally called “Kanc” because it is challenging to pronounce Kancamagus. The best time to travel to the Kancamagus highway is in autumn. Autumn is at its peak in Kanc from early to mid-October.
You will go along with the White Mountain National Forest. Kancamagus Highway is linked from Lincoln to Conway along with the Swift River. It is approximately one hour of drive, and many views like Lower Falls, Swift River, Rocky Gorge, and Sabbaday Falls exist.
One day is enough to see all the stunning spots of the Kanc. This highway passes through the white mountain national forest. It elevates under 3000 ft. There are also 6 Campgrounds for visitors to enjoy camping in this area.
Kancamagus Road has no restaurants, hotels, or restrooms. So, prepare yourself before starting a drive. You can also have a perfect shoot with a view of autumn colors. Some unique spots that you must remember to visit are Hancock and Albany Bridge.
Castle in the Clouds:
Castle in the Clouds is located in Moultonborough and was built in 1914. In total, the historic mansion covers a land area of 125 acres. The landmark castle offers stunning foliage views. This place covers events like live music or birding tours.
The most incredible adventure is riding in the clouds. It also gives you the option of a romantic carriage ride or a pony ride. If you visit this place in the autumn, you should experience a cruise. Reserve the sunset dinner cruise seats in advance for different events.
New Hampshire Fall Festivals
You must join one of the following festivals to make your trip more memorable.
| Festival Name | Location | Date | Activities |
| Warner Fall Foliage Festival | Warner, NH | October 8-9 | A fun run Music Rides |
| Milford Pumpkin Festival | Milford, NH | October 7-9 | This festival offers a fantastic adventurous experience that displays fire on the river, helicopter rides to an ATV Poker Run, and more to make your trip memorable. |
| RiverFire Festival | Berlin, NH | October 15 | This festival offers an amazing adventurous experience that displays fire on the river, helicopter rides to an ATV Poker Run, and more to make your trip memorable. |
| Fall Foliage Festival | Waterville Valley, NH | October 8-10 | Make your time good with snowboarding, skiing, hiking, bike riding, boat rentals, etc. |
| New Hampshire Brewfest | Portsmouth, NH | October 8 | Celebrate craft beer |
| New Hampshire Poutine Fes | Merrimack, NH | October 15 | Experience Franco-American culture with music and beer. |
| White Mountain Oktoberfest | Lincoln, NH | October 8-9 | Enjoy brats, Bavaria rides, German beer, and games. |
| New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival | Keene, NH | October 29 | During Halloween celebrations, paint or carve a pumpkin. |
How to Plan Your Fall Foliage Trip in New Hampshire
It is recommended to travel by air to reach Manchester, NH. But if it is not possible, then Boston is a good option for visitors from abroad. In New England, a car is necessary to make a fall foliage trip because there are few public transportation options, so renting a car is recommended to enjoy nature fully.
Best Restaurants in the White Mountains
For Breakfast:
Polly’s Pancake Parlor and Flapjacks are highly recommended restaurants for breakfast because they are good in their legendary fluffy pancakes. Meanwhile, for a quick bite, try Dunkin’ Donuts.
For Lunch:
The Sunrise Shack offers many lunch specials; you must try their tater-tots.
For Dinner:
Libby’s Saalt Pub is an excellent place for dinner, and their food is best because they have James Beard semi-finalist.
FAQs
Q. What are the closest airports to White Mountain National Forest?
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Burlington International Airport are the two closest airports.
Q. Where to stay in the White Mountains?
It would be best to stay in the Lincoln and North Conway because both locations have great hotels and quick access to fall foliage spots.
Q. When is fall 2024?
In New Hampshire, the first day of fall 2024 is September 23.
