Franconia Notch State Park —
Your Complete Guide
8 miles of mountain pass on I-93. Free to enter, with the Flume Gorge, the Basin, Echo Lake and the trailheads for Franconia Ridge.
What is Franconia Notch State Park?
Franconia Notch State Park is a mountain pass in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where I-93 runs 8 miles as a parkway between the Kinsman and Franconia ranges.The state bought the 6,000-acre Notch property in 1927, and the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation (NH State Parks) runs it. It stretches from the Flume Gorge at the south end to Echo Lake at the north, and most of what lies between is free.
The Notch was home to the Old Man of the Mountain, the granite face that fell in 2003. Today people come for the Flume's boardwalk, the waterfall pothole at the Basin, short view hikes like Artists Bluff, the climb to Lonesome Lake and the all-day Franconia Ridge Loop over Mount Lafayette.
Two things changed recently. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway made its last run on October 26, 2025, and is closed while a new tram is planned. And on September 22, 2026, NH State Parks relocated part of the Falling Waters Trail on the ridge loop, so phone apps may show the old route.
Franconia Notch State Park at a Glance
What to Do at Franconia Notch State Park
The main sights line up along one road, from the Flume in the south to Echo Lake in the north.
Flume Gorge
An 800-foot granite gorge on a 2-mile loop of packed gravel and boardwalk, about 1.5 hours. Reserve tickets ahead.
Flume Gorge Guide →Artists Bluff
A 1.5-mile loop with some of the best views of Cannon Mountain and the Notch for the effort.
Hike Artists Bluff →Echo Lake Beach
Swim and rent kayaks, canoes or pedal boats on a mountain lake below Cannon. Staffed early June to early September.
Beach Guide →Old Man of the Mountain
The stone face fell in 2003. Line it back up against Cannon Cliff at the free Profiler Plaza on Profile Lake.
See Profiler Plaza →Camping
97 wooded tent sites in the middle of the Notch, at the trailhead for Lonesome Lake.
Lafayette Place →Most Popular Hikes at Franconia Notch
From a paved ten-minute walk to the biggest day hike in the Notch. Difficulty ratings are NH State Parks' own.
A 20-foot granite pothole under a waterfall, wheelchair accessible for viewing.
Short and steep, with two open tops over Cannon and the Notch.
A steady climb to a mountain lake 1,000 feet above the Notch, with an AMC hut.
The big day over Mount Lafayette, 7–8 hours. Falling Waters Trail relocated September 2026.
How to Get to Franconia Notch State Park
By car on I-93. Each exit serves different stops, and parking on the highway is illegal.
By Car
Exit 34A for the Flume, 34B for the tram base and Old Man site, 34C for Echo Lake and Artists Bluff. About 2.5 hours from Boston. See parking.
Hiker Shuttle
On 2026 weekends and holidays, May 23 to October 18, a $5 round-trip shuttle ran from the overflow lot at the tram base to the Franconia Ridge trailheads.
Park Office
260 Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH 03580. Phone 603-823-8800. The Flume visitor center is at 852 Daniel Webster Highway, Lincoln.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franconia Notch State Park free?
There is no fee to enter the park. The Basin, Profile Lake, the Old Man site, the trails and the bike path are free. The Flume Gorge, Echo Lake Beach and the campground charge fees.
Where is Franconia Notch State Park?
Franconia Notch State Park is in Franconia and Lincoln, New Hampshire, on I-93 at Exits 34A, 34B and 34C in the White Mountains. NH State Parks puts it about 2.5 hours from Boston and 1.5 hours from Manchester.
What is there to do at Franconia Notch?
Walk the Flume Gorge, see the Basin and the Old Man of the Mountain memorial, hike Artists Bluff, Lonesome Lake or Franconia Ridge, swim and paddle at Echo Lake Beach, ride the bike path, and camp at Lafayette Place.
Are dogs allowed at Franconia Notch?
On hiking trails and in the dog walk areas at the Flume and Tramway lots, on a 6-foot leash. Not in the Flume Gorge, at Echo Lake Beach, in the campground or on the bike path.
Is the Cannon Mountain tram open?
No. The tram's last day was October 26, 2025, and it is closed while a replacement is planned and built.
When is Franconia Notch State Park open?
The park is open year-round for recreation. The Flume Gorge ran May 8 to October 25, 2026; Echo Lake Beach is staffed early June to early September; the campground opens in late May.