Crawford Notch State Park Photo: Ascended Dreamer / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › New Hampshire

Crawford Notch State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: 5,775 acres (23 km²)
  • Setting: a steep-walled glacial notch at the southern end of the Presidential Range
  • Trail link: the Appalachian Trail crosses the notch and climbs the Webster Cliffs
  • History: the Willey House site, from an 1826 landslide
  • Gateway: Bartlett and Twin Mountain
  • Managed by: New Hampshire State Parks

The landscape

Crawford Notch is a deep U-shaped valley carved by glaciers, with the Saco River running along its floor and sheer cliffs rising on both sides. Waterfalls pour from the walls, including Arethusa Falls, one of the tallest in New Hampshire. The notch opens north toward the Presidential Range. Moose, black bears and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Summer and fall are the main seasons, with colour peaking in early October. Winter brings ice climbing on the cliffs and snowshoeing, but severe conditions on the higher trails.

Arethusa FallsPhoto: Bob Linsdell · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Mount WillardPhoto: Mike Rawlings mike_rawlings · CC0 1.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Frankenstein CliffPhoto: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

US Route 302 runs through the notch, with parking for waterfalls, the Willey House site and trailheads. The Dry River campground sits at the south end.

Things to do

Arethusa Falls is a popular hike, and Ripley Falls and the Frankenstein Cliff trail are nearby. The Appalachian Trail climbs the Webster Cliffs toward Mount Webster and the Presidentials. Anglers fish the Saco, and ice climbers come in winter.

Staying safe

Trails out of the notch are steep and rocky. Above treeline, weather can turn dangerous quickly; check the higher-summits forecast and turn back early. Rock near waterfalls is slick. Carry layers and traction outside summer, and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions with New Hampshire State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
44.1788, -71.3891
Magnetic declination
14.2° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

17 places in Crawford Notch State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 2

Park entrances

On the trail 1

Campground

Sights 14

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Lake

Heritage site

Peak

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsAlpineForestRivers
Key hazards
Severe weather above treelineSteeprocky trailsSlick rock at waterfallsIce and snow much of the year
Best seasons
Summer, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
US Route 302 runs through the notch between Bartlett and Twin Mountain.
Water
Streams; treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy in the notch.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911 (New Hampshire Fish and Game leads search and rescue).
Permits & regulations
The Dry River campground is reserved or first come in the off season. Backcountry camping is in the surrounding White Mountain National Forest at designated sites.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trail, camp only at designated sites, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high38°F(3°C)3°C(38°F)
Average low25°F(−4°C)−4°C(25°F)
Rainfall8.1 in(205 mm)205 mm(8.1 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 4 minSunrise 6:59 a.m., sunset 6:03 p.m.
  • Below-freezing nights

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Mount Washington station, 8 miles (12 km)12 km (8 miles) away at 6,272 feet (1,912 m)1,912 m (6,272 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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