Franconia Notch State Park

About

Franconia Notch State Park sits in a narrow pass between the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges in northern New Hampshire. The park stretches along Interstate 93, which narrows to a scenic parkway as it passes through the notch. Towering peaks, glacial features, and dense forests create one of New England's most striking settings.

The park is home to several iconic attractions. The Flume Gorge, a natural 800-foot chasm with granite walls rising up to 90 feet, draws visitors along a boardwalk trail past waterfalls and covered bridges. The Basin, a smooth granite pothole carved by glacial meltwater over 15,000 years, sits just steps from the parking area. Echo Lake offers swimming and fishing beneath the cliffs of Cannon Mountain.

Cannon Mountain's Aerial Tramway carries visitors to the 4,080-foot summit, where panoramic views stretch across four states and into Canada on clear days. The mountain also features a ski museum and the New England Ski Museum at its base. For those who prefer to stay at ground level, the park's paved recreational path runs 8 miles through the notch, open to walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Lafayette Place Campground provides a base for longer stays, with tent and RV sites nestled among hardwoods and conifers. The campground sits at a central location, making it easy to reach trailheads, swimming areas, and the park's main attractions. Several picnic areas are scattered throughout the park.

Franconia Notch is beautiful in every season. Summer brings hiking and swimming, fall transforms the mountains into a patchwork of color, and winter opens up skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The park is free to enter, though individual attractions like the Flume Gorge and Aerial Tramway charge separate admission fees.

Accessibility

Franconia Notch State Park offers several accessible features for visitors with mobility needs. The park's paved recreational path extends 8 miles through the notch, providing a smooth surface suitable for wheelchairs and mobility devices. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may benefit from all-terrain tires on some sections of the path.

The Basin is recognized as one of New Hampshire's most wheelchair-friendly natural attractions, with easy access right off the road and a wheelchair overlook designed for optimal viewing. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs, providing summit access without hiking. Note that the Flume Gorge trail, with its steps and narrow walkways, is not wheelchair-accessible.

Lafayette Place Campground has a limited number of ADA-accessible campsites and accessible amenities. Accessible parking is available at the park's major attraction areas including The Basin, Echo Lake, and the tramway base.

For specific questions about accessibility at individual attractions, restroom access, or current trail conditions, contact the Franconia Notch State Park office directly. New Hampshire State Parks can also provide information about equipment availability at nearby parks, as some NH state parks offer beach wheelchairs and all-terrain mobility devices.

More accessible places in New Hampshire

• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park (Cornish)
• Jackson (Mount Washington Valley) (Jackson)
• Currier Museum of Art (Manchester)
• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (Concord)
• SEE Science Center (Manchester)
• Strawbery Banke Museum (Portsmouth)