Summer camping near North Conway, NH - recommendations for things to do?
June 30, 2017 9:58 AM Subscribe
I'm planning a camping trip in a few weeks near North Conway, NH with my kids, and I'm looking for suggestions for things to do.
In particular - I'm looking for recommended/favorite hikes, waterfalls, swimming holes, etc, plus any other favorite activities, things to see, places to eat, etc.
My kids are pretty good hikers (they climbed Mt Lafayette last Fall), so don't hold back!
Many thanks in advance!
Response by poster: @k5.user - Yup, that's on the top of my list. Unless someone recommends a different trail, we're planning to try the Tuckermine Ravine trail (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/tuckerman-ravine-trail-to-mount-washington).
Any special tips for that?
posted by stuehler at 11:03 AM on June 30, 2017
Any special tips for that?
posted by stuehler at 11:03 AM on June 30, 2017
Tuckerman Ravine trail is a good choice. Washington is a good hike but it is also really busy, especially at the top.
I like river tubing on the Saco or other rivers up there - it's easiest to take an organized trip with a shuttle back to your starting place, but you can bring (or rent) your own tubes, spot a car at the end of the trip and float, though unfortunately I think a lot of the best put-in/take-out spots are on private land. If you decide to DIY it, keep the distance of the float much shorter than you would think - the river is sloooooow in summer.
posted by mskyle at 11:45 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I like river tubing on the Saco or other rivers up there - it's easiest to take an organized trip with a shuttle back to your starting place, but you can bring (or rent) your own tubes, spot a car at the end of the trip and float, though unfortunately I think a lot of the best put-in/take-out spots are on private land. If you decide to DIY it, keep the distance of the float much shorter than you would think - the river is sloooooow in summer.
posted by mskyle at 11:45 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tuckerman Ravine trail is nice but very crowded. It's the main route up the mountain. Lions head or Nelson Crag, or even the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail (other side of the mountain, near the Cog Railway entrance) are less crowded options. Check your guidebook for mileage and other warnings.
I'll just assume you know about Mt. Washinton's weather and to be very prepared and very cautious and turn around if you need to, etc. If you've done Mt Lafayette you should be good on Washington but it's higher, longer, and has much more time above treeline.
If you're aiming for a big mountain though, my favorite Presidential is Mt. Adams up the Airline out of Jefferson, NH. All the fun of Washington without a parking lot on top. Same warnings that apply for Washington also apply there, plus there's no options for shelter or rides from the summit.
Near North Conway the Moat range is a pretty nice hike. Lots of open ledges and views most of the way across a ridge.
If you're not up for summitting Washington but still want to experience it, you can also just go into the bowl at Tuckermans or Huntington's Ravines or climb up to Glen Boulder. Don't go up the headwall of Huntington's unless you know what you're getting into though.
Be very careful about driving at night, especially through the Pinkham Notch area. Moose are everywhere. I've had four close calls and totaled one truck.
Have fun!
posted by bondcliff at 11:51 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'll just assume you know about Mt. Washinton's weather and to be very prepared and very cautious and turn around if you need to, etc. If you've done Mt Lafayette you should be good on Washington but it's higher, longer, and has much more time above treeline.
If you're aiming for a big mountain though, my favorite Presidential is Mt. Adams up the Airline out of Jefferson, NH. All the fun of Washington without a parking lot on top. Same warnings that apply for Washington also apply there, plus there's no options for shelter or rides from the summit.
Near North Conway the Moat range is a pretty nice hike. Lots of open ledges and views most of the way across a ridge.
If you're not up for summitting Washington but still want to experience it, you can also just go into the bowl at Tuckermans or Huntington's Ravines or climb up to Glen Boulder. Don't go up the headwall of Huntington's unless you know what you're getting into though.
Be very careful about driving at night, especially through the Pinkham Notch area. Moose are everywhere. I've had four close calls and totaled one truck.
Have fun!
posted by bondcliff at 11:51 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tuckerman and Lion Head trails are both nice.
I didn't like the Ammonoosuc trail (we hiked it to ride the cog back down, note the cog is $$$). BUT, if you hike it, it takes you to the lake in the clouds on the way to the summit, which is a plus. It is a MUCH longer drive to get to the trailhead. It felt like a much longer hike than Tuckerman, though google says about a quarter mile longer in length (4.5 mi vs 4.2), and 500 ft less in elevation, strange..
We used to canoe the saco a bunch as well, definitely second that idea. Take 302 to the ME/NH boarder. We'd pick a place either in Fryeburg or NH. Tubing could be just as fun. Check water levels (some years it was a drought, and getting out to lug your canoe through 2" of water was no fun). Every rental place would have a put in/take out spot and drivers etc.
posted by k5.user at 12:38 PM on June 30, 2017
I didn't like the Ammonoosuc trail (we hiked it to ride the cog back down, note the cog is $$$). BUT, if you hike it, it takes you to the lake in the clouds on the way to the summit, which is a plus. It is a MUCH longer drive to get to the trailhead. It felt like a much longer hike than Tuckerman, though google says about a quarter mile longer in length (4.5 mi vs 4.2), and 500 ft less in elevation, strange..
We used to canoe the saco a bunch as well, definitely second that idea. Take 302 to the ME/NH boarder. We'd pick a place either in Fryeburg or NH. Tubing could be just as fun. Check water levels (some years it was a drought, and getting out to lug your canoe through 2" of water was no fun). Every rental place would have a put in/take out spot and drivers etc.
posted by k5.user at 12:38 PM on June 30, 2017
Not a direct answer to your question but I thought I'd mention that a tornado warning just came up on the local news which covers North Conway for the next few hours. I mention it because for most of my life I wasn't even aware that tornadoes were a danger in New England in general, much less up in the mountains, despite living here since I was born. So if it gets stormy while you're here just be aware it's a possibility.
The news claims that an average of one to two tornadoes touch down in the state per year. Flash flooding happens too and is more common.
posted by XMLicious at 2:13 PM on July 1, 2017
The news claims that an average of one to two tornadoes touch down in the state per year. Flash flooding happens too and is more common.
posted by XMLicious at 2:13 PM on July 1, 2017
« Older Did lamb in artifical uterus live? | How do I respond when co-workers keep spelling my... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by k5.user at 10:40 AM on June 30, 2017