Top 10 Outdoor Activities in New Hampshire, United States

February 28, 2022 Marlin Saiz

If you are looking for diversity, you will certainly find it in New Hampshire. From lakes to beaches, waterfalls to woods and mountains to sea coast, the state has huge potential for outdoor vacations, including downhill or cross-country skiing in winter. With no less than seventy-five state parks that offer natural areas, hiking trails, beaches and historic sites, New Hampshire caters for a variety of tastes. Crawford Notch State Park in Harts Location has picturesque waterfalls, wonderful mountain views and opportunities for viewing wildlife. You can go hiking and fishing there as well as pay a visit to the historic Willey House. Monadnock State Park, unlike some other state parks, is open all year round for hiking. Want to go swimming? You will find five state park beaches along the coast of New Hampshire, such as Wallis Sands with its view of the rocky Isles of Shoals. On North Hampton State Beach and Jenness Beach you can have a picnic as well as a swim. When you've finally had your fill of fresh air, head for the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord with exhibits focusing on heritage and traditions; children should enjoy them just as much as adults.
Restaurants in New Hampshire

1. White Mountains

Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 94 reviews

White Mountains

Mountains of the Appalachian range in northern New Hampshire, where the highest point is Mount Washington at 6,288 feet.

2. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 637 reviews

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

Located at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center offers winter activities and events for families, friends and groups of all ages. From cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing, to winter tours on the Mt. Washington SnowCoach, family-owned Great Glen Trails has become a true White Mountain classic. We groom over 20 kilometers of trails and have an additional 25 kilometers of ungroomed off-track ski and snowshoe trails. We rent high quality equipment including skis, boots, and poles along with snowshoes and fatbikes. Our top-notch Ski School offers the best instruction for beginners to advanced skiers.

3. Zealand Falls Trail

White Mountains National Forest, NH
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Zealand Falls Trail

4. Tuckerman's Ravine

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

Tuckerman's Ravine

5. Bear Notch Ski Touring Center

Route 302, Bartlett, NH +1 603-374-2277 http://www.bearnotchskitouring.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 65 reviews

Bear Notch Ski Touring Center

Reviewed By VBoy31 - Auburn, United States

We snowshoed at Bear Notch three days ago and had an amazing experience. The trails were groomed to perfection and we were met by a staffer who was knowledgeable and attentive. We spent about three hours on the trails and really enjoyed the trails by the river. An added bonus was when we happened upon a moose, quietly munching on some local vegetation. We shoed quietly by and got some incredible photos. Just get out and experience the outdoors, folks. Getting your feet snowy is a great way to spend the day!

6. Locke's Hill Trails

Gilford, NH
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Locke's Hill Trails

Reviewed By BOS101718 - Boston, United States

Great trail with an incredible view. Worth it for all ages. Get a good workout in but not too strenuous. Will come back to hike again.

7. Mount Flume + Mount Liberty Loop

NH
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Mount Flume + Mount Liberty Loop

8. Pemigewasset Overlook

Kancamagus Hwy Along Kancamagus Scenic Byway, Lincoln, NH https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74707
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Pemigewasset Overlook

Reviewed By mainemountainbear - Texas Gulf Coast, United States

This scenic overlook was in the White Mountains National Forest, on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway (NH 112), a short drive from Lincoln. Designated parking required proof of having paid a day use fee. Engaging displays interpreted local history and ecology; I only wished they’d been in better condition. Clean rest facilities were onsite. For mountain scenery, with views to the west and the south, there may be no better stop on the Byway.

9. Kancamagus Highway

Route 112, North Conway, Conway, NH https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/whitemountain/recreation/scenicdrivinginfo
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,459 reviews

Kancamagus Highway

Highway 112 runs from Center Conway to North Woodstock, just south of Franconia Notch. Passing through the White Mountain National Forest, it is considered one of the most scenic highways in the U.S. and offers a number of interesting stopping off points.

Reviewed By harpazhadar - Haifa, Israel

We had only 4 hours to experience this amazing road so had to focus on few specific spots. Made some research online beforehand and decided on these 4 stops which did not disappoint! Started from the North Conway eastern entrance we stopped at the Saco Ranger Station and paid 5$ for a parking daily pass. (You have to pay only if you plan on stopping and parking on the way). There were also self service - pay your fee on site stations but you had to have the exact amount in cash to use them. Our Top stops were: 1. Albany Covered Bridge 2. Lower Falls Scenic Area 3. Rocky Gorge Scenic Area 4. Sabbaday Falls We were traveling on the beginning of the Foliage season and the colors and ambiance were perfect! Not much to eat on the way so it is best to make some sandwiches and stock on some snacks and water before entering. On the other side near Lincoln we had a terrific dinner at Black Mt. Burger Co – highly recommended!!!

10. Cannon Mountain

Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH 03580 +1 603-823-8800 [email protected] http://cannonmt.com/cannontram.html
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 417 reviews

Cannon Mountain

Reviewed By frugalm0m - Swarthmore, United States

While we live in the Philadelphia area, Cannon Mountain is our favorite place to ski. Most of our family learned to ski at Cannon, and we have been going there for more than 15 years. It is by far the friendliest ski resort, where ski instructors, lift operators, ambassadors and guest service staff will smile, say hello and remember you. The mountain offers trails for a range of skills, so everyone can find a place to ski. There are rarely any lines of any note for the lift. Be forewarned, it can be cold on the mountain (it is New Hampshire after all!) and sometimes icy. But a great day at Cannon is the best skiing ever.

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