Travels Before the RV: Franconia Notch and the White Mountains
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Most of us, when we take stock of ourselves, find that we have a “special place” where we like to go. It may be a city, a business, or even a parcel of nature. We here at Freedom Rolling have a special place where we have visited every year, and is one we hope to continue visiting for years to come: Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire.
Located along Interstate 93 and US Route 3, Franconia Notch State Park is a nature reserve in the White Mountains of New Hampshire along the Pemigewasset River. Some of its features include Cannon Mountain, Echo Lake, Flume Gorge, Lonesome Lake, and the Basin. It was also once home to the “Old Man of the Mountain”, a unique rock formation shaped like a man’s face. This formation has since collapsed, but a historic site dedicated to this once-standing formation continues to exist. The famous Appalachian Trail runs through part of Franconia Notch, making it a destination for drivers and hikers alike.
Franconia Notch State Park - Official Site
Nearby to Franconia Notch, whether for a day with nature or a chance to do some boondock camping, is White Mountain National Forest. Situated in both New Hampshire and Maine, White Mountain National Forest is home to many of the tall peaks of New England, including Twin Mountain, Mount Cabot, and the tallest point in New Hampshire, Mount Washington. Several other state parks also grace this area, including Crawford Notch, Jericho Mountain, and Grafton Notch in Maine.
White Mountain National Forest - Official Site
We first discovered this place by a bit of a happy accident during the early part of our dating in the fall of 2013. We had been talking about doing our first road trip for a while, but needed a destination. We knew that this was one of the few points along the Interstate Highway System that is still only two lanes, so we decided to head there. A few hours and a couple of states later, we arrived and chose to stop at the Basin. This is one of the most peaceful and tranquil locations either of us had visited, and is a common setting for many of our Christmas cards. But why stop in New Hampshire? We typically continue up to US Route 2, the Presidential Highway, to make our way to Maine to further enjoy White Mountain National Forest.
One trip was good, but why not make a return visit? Summer of 2014 saw our return to Franconia Notch and White Mountain National Forest, this time with a family dog in tow. Sadly, the pooch is no longer with us, but it was an absolute pleasure to take her to another part of the country, and also great to be in a family and pet friendly environment. Franconia Notch ended up also serving as a pre-honeymoon destination in 2015, and every year since then, around the time of late summer and early autumn, we find ourselves once again enjoying this location. Our pup has also been able to enjoy the Basin and the forest since adopting her in 2019.
The next time you’re in northern New England, why not give Franconia Notch and the White Mountain National Forest a try? And who knows, maybe it will become a special location for you on your travels. All you have to do is follow your internal compass.