Crawford Notch
Route 302, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Nestled in the central part of the northern White Mountains, Crawford Notch is the most remote of the 3 major notches.
Venturing north from the town of Bartlett, NH on Route 302, the road winds along the Saco River and thru the forest. Towering rocky cliffs rise on either side, a favorite place for rock and ice climbers. A steep short climb to the height of the land brings you across a bridge over Silver Cascade waterfall, past Saco Lake, the headwaters of the Saco River, and AMC Highland Center. Crawford Path can be accessed from here.
Drive a little farther north and you will come to the town of Bretton Woods, the Mount Washington Cog Railway and the recreational amenities of the OMNI Mount Washington Resort. Continue to the town of Twin Mountain where you will find a variety of accommodations. Everywhere you look spectacular views of the entire Presidential Range are unsurpassed! Surrounded by trails and rivers and waterfalls ... opportunities abound for low cost outdoor recreation.
The Presidential Range and Mt. Washington Omni Resort in Bretton Woods by Robert Kozlow
Natural and White Mountain Attractions...
North of Crawford Notch
SILVER & FLUME CASCADE; BEECHER CASCADES & PEAL CASCADE; GIBB FALLS - At the height of the land on Route 302. Flume and Silver Cascades can be seen from the road. Two large parking lots provide access to view and take pictures of the falls where it passes under the road. To reach Beecher and Pearl Cascades, go further west on Rt. 302 and park behind the Crawford Depot. There is an easy .4 mile hike in beginning on the Avalon Trail, then following signs. There is a fifth falls if you head up Crawford Path to 35 ft. Gibb Falls, beginning across Rt. 302 from Crawford Depot for a .4 mile hike.
ARETHUSA FALLS - Only one of many waterfalls in Crawford Notch, Arethusa has the disputed distinction of being called the single longest drop in New England, 200'. The trail begins 3 miles south of Crawford Notch on Route 302 and is a moderate 2 mile hike up 900 feet and down 100 feet. The hike takes about a hour.
UPPER & LOWER AMMONOOSUC FALLS - Between Twin Mountain and Fabyans on Rt. 302 take Cherry Mtn. Road. Take an immediate left before the railroad tracks and park in the area at the end of the paved road. At the end of the parking lot, walk down the dirt roadabout .1 miles.
RIPLEY FALLS & KENDRON FLUME - There are swimming holes upstream from these falls, accessed from the Willey House Historic Site on Rt. 302, Crawford Notch. Take the Arethusa/Ripley Falls Trail, for about .5 miles to where it turns left to reach 100 foot high Ripley Falls. Don't climb over the face of the falls itself as it is slippery. To reach Kendron Flume, take the trail which begins near the gift shop.
NANCY CASCADE - The Nancy Pond Trail starts from Rt. 302, south of Crawford Notch. The 2.4 mile hike is of moderate difficulty, and leads to a series of lovely cascades that are shady and cool. The total drop is thought to be about 400 ft.
ELEPHANT HEAD - This rock formation resembling an elephants head, has one of the best views of Crawford Notch and the Presidential Range from the top. Starting at the AMC Highland Center the trail is an easy hike for the family. A little bit rugged but only about 1/3 of a mile to the viewpoint!
PONDICHERRY WILDLIFE REFUGE - Home to bears, moose and many other animals, Cherry Pond in Whitefield is one of the top birding locations in the northeast, with over 234 bird species documented. Driving north on Route 3 to Route 115, the Pondicherry Rail Trail begins by the kiosk on Route 115 and is about 1 1/2 miles to Cherry Pond. To the north there is a loop trail to Little Cherry Pond which is about a mile long with 600 feet of boardwalk over a bog.
Featured Lodging & Recreation Crawford Notch and North Area
Carlson's Lodge 330 Route 302 West, Twin Mountain, NH 03595 - 800-348-5502
Patio Motor Court, 952 US Route 3 N, Twin Mountain NH 03585 -- 800-22-PATIO
MOMS ATV Service, Sales & Rentals, 149 State St. Groveton, NH 03582 - 603-636-6667
Twin Mountain - Bretton Woods Chamber of Commerce - Information Booth,
PO Box 194, Twin Mountain, NH 03595 - www.twinmountain.org
LOCATE US - Crawford Notch, Twin Mountain & Bretton Woods, NH
The Northern Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, 25 Park Street, P.O. Box 537, Lancaster, NH 03584 603-788-2530.
North of the Notches, New Hampshire
