Crawford Notch - New Hampshire

Explore a wild, rugged mountain valley that angles through the heart of the White Mountains and boasts both legend and history.

Once an impenetrable and rugged wilderness, Crawford Notch was written about by author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who told of the real-life tragedy that struck a family there in 1826. Today, visitors to Crawford Notch can take in the extraordinary vistas and panoramas along the roads, and enjoy the views up the cliffs from the valley, which are especially spectacular on a clear day. Crawford Notch has 6 miles of unspoiled rugged natural beauty in the scenic mountain pass, great for hiking, fishing and photography, and should you care to spend the night, the Dry River Campground has 30 sites where you can pitch your tent and enjoy a night under the stars. If waterfalls are your thing, look for the Flume and Silver Cascades which are visible from the highway, as well as Arethusa Falls, one of the tallest in the state, which can be reached by a short hike. History lovers will enjoy a visit to the site of Willey House, a wagon stopover from the late 1700's.

Crawford Notch is accessible via Route 302, which is wide and speedy on the lower sections, becoming steeper as it approaches the narrow defile of the notch itself.