Jackson (Mount Washington Valley)

About

Jackson is a small town in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley, reached by crossing a red covered bridge known locally as the Honeymoon Bridge. The White Mountain National Forest surrounds the valley on most sides, and the town center, with its church, inns, and general store, sits a few miles south of North Conway along Route 16.

Most visitors come for the outdoors. The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation grooms roughly 60 miles of cross-country trails that start in the village and connect to inns throughout the valley, and Black Mountain Ski Area, also in town, has downhill runs with a vertical drop of about 1,100 feet. Summer and fall bring hiking, scenic drives on the Kancamagus Highway, and a stop at Jackson Falls, a set of cascades on the Wildcat River that sits beside the road downtown. Families often add a day at Story Land, a theme park a short drive south in Glen, or a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad out of North Conway.

A stop at the falls or the covered bridge takes fifteen minutes. A half day covers a hike or a scenic drive on the Kancamagus, and a full day fits comfortably on the ski trails in winter or a visit to Story Land.

North Conway, with its outlet shops and restaurants, is about ten minutes away by car. The Omni Mount Washington Resort and the historic hotels of Bretton Woods sit roughly thirty minutes northwest through Crawford Notch. Portland, Maine is about ninety minutes east, and Boston is a little under three hours south.

Accessibility

Jackson and the surrounding Mount Washington Valley are accessible in pieces. Several specific spots have verified step-free access, but no single town or chamber website publishes valley-wide accessibility information, so plan attraction by attraction rather than assuming the whole area is covered.

Jackson Falls, a cascade on the Wildcat River in the village center, sits beside the road and is reachable straight from the parking area without a trail hike, according to a New Hampshire tourism guide for visitors with disabilities. Paired with the Honeymoon Bridge next to it, this makes an easy stop even for visitors who prefer to stay on pavement.

On the Kancamagus Highway toward Conway, the U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Gorge Scenic Area has a paved walkway from a large parking lot to a footbridge over the Swift River, with restrooms at the lot. Past the bridge the path climbs a short rise toward Falls Pond, so that stretch is not level.

Story Land, the theme park in nearby Glen, is a Certified Autism Center, and its staff are trained to work with sensory-sensitive guests. The park's accessibility page lists a wheelchair and electric-scooter rental stand, a calming room, and a quiet dining area. Its ride chart shows service dogs permitted on the Huff, Puff & Whistle Railroad but not on most other rides, so check the chart before you go. The Conway Scenic Railroad, based in North Conway, provides a mobile lift to board with advance notice, though it states its historic railcars are not fully ADA compliant and wheelchair access varies by car class.

None of these sources cover restroom stall dimensions, door widths, or curb ramps in Jackson village itself, and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce site has no accessibility page. Call ahead for specifics: Story Land's Guest Service Building can advise on rides, and Conway Scenic Railroad's office at (603) 356-5251 can arrange boarding assistance.

Checked by Accessible America, August 2026. Report a change

More accessible places in New Hampshire

• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park (Cornish)
• Currier Museum of Art (Manchester)
• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (Concord)
• SEE Science Center (Manchester)
• Strawbery Banke Museum (Portsmouth)
• Story Land (North Conway)