Activity White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Kancamagus Highway
An activity in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, free to visit and worth about 2.5 hours. Best time to go: Late Sep–mid Oct.
Why go
34.5-mile scenic road between Lincoln and Conway with no services and wide overlooks.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in New Hampshire, alongside 4 activities, 2 places to eat and 1 place for a drink. The closest of our other picks is Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola, 2.6 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Activity · Nature
- Neighborhood
- White Mountain National Forest
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 2.5 hr
- Best time
- Late Sep–mid Oct
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond New Hampshire. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola
12-minute gondola up Loon Peak with an observation tower over 24 of NH's 4,000-footers.
Activity · 2.6 mi straight-line - 2Flume Gorge
Two-mile loop on boardwalks through a granite gorge with waterfalls and covered bridges.
Activity · 5.3 mi straight-line - 3Woodstock Inn Brewery
Brewpub with an outdoor patio in North Woodstock, a natural end to a notch day.
Drinks · 5.5 mi straight-line - 4Sabbaday Falls
Easy 0.7-mile walk to a tiered waterfall in a narrow flume off the Kancamagus.
Sight · 10 mi straight-line - 5Artist's Bluff
Short, steep hike to a ledge over Echo Lake and the notch, a classic foliage photo spot.
Activity · 11 mi straight-line - 6Crawford Notch State Park
Steep mountain pass carrying US-302 between granite walls, with frozen waterfalls and snowshoe trails in winter.
Outdoors · White Mountains · 12 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Kancamagus Highway is a stop on our New England Fall Foliage route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More things to do in New Hampshire
Another curated activity in New Hampshire. See the full New Hampshire guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in New Hampshire run from 30°F in January to 81°F in July; October is usually the wettest month. For Kancamagus Highway itself, we suggest: Late Sep–mid Oct.
Modelled monthly averages for New Hampshire from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full New Hampshire weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Kancamagus Highway, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- Kancamagus Hwy, Lincoln, NH, USA
- Coordinates
- 44.05277, -71.58058
- Destination
- New Hampshire
Kancamagus Highway: quick answers
How much time do you need at Kancamagus Highway?
Plan on about 2.5 hours at Kancamagus Highway. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Kancamagus Highway?
Our pick: Late Sep–mid Oct. Insider tip: Fill up gas before starting; pull off at Pemigewasset and Sugar Hill overlooks.
Is Kancamagus Highway free?
Yes, we list Kancamagus Highway as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Kancamagus Highway?
Kancamagus Highway is at Kancamagus Hwy, Lincoln, NH, USA, in White Mountain National Forest. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Kancamagus Highway?
Kancamagus Highway appears on New England Fall Foliage, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Kancamagus Highway to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to New Hampshire.
Plan New Hampshire
- New Hampshire travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit New Hampshire weather by month
- Vermont to New Hampshire 107 mi straight-line
- New Hampshire to Maine 118 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in New Hampshire
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.