Rules & Regulations

Dogs are allowed on Franconia Notch's hiking trails on a leash no longer than 6 feet, but not in the Flume Gorge, at Echo Lake Beach, in Lafayette Place Campground, or on the paved bike path. NH State Parks has designated dog walk areas at the Flume and Tramway parking lots. Drones may not take off or land anywhere in a New Hampshire state park. Bikes are allowed only on the bike path. The park is carry-in, carry-out: take your trash home.

Dogs and Pets

Franconia Notch is one of the parks where NH State Parks limits pets to hiking trails and designated dog walk areas. Here is where that leaves you, place by place, according to the state's pets policy and park pages:

• Hiking trails, including Artists Bluff, Lonesome Lake and Franconia Ridge: allowed, leashed.
• Designated dog walk areas at the Flume and Tramway parking lots: allowed.
• The Flume Gorge: not allowed.
• Echo Lake Beach: not allowed.
• Lafayette Place Campground: not allowed.
• The paved bike path (Franconia Recreational Path): not allowed.
• The Cannon tram: not allowed (it's closed in any case).

Wherever dogs are allowed, the statewide rules apply: a standard or retractable leash no longer than 6 feet, clean up and bin the waste or take it with you, and never leave an animal unattended, including in a car or camper. Service animals are permitted in line with the ADA. The weekend hiker shuttle takes well-behaved dogs for free.

Drones

Drone use is restricted at all New Hampshire state parks. NH State Parks says drone operators may not take off or land within park boundaries, and Franconia Notch is no exception.

Bikes

Ride on the bike path, which is free and runs the length of the Notch. The state does not permit bicycles on Franconia Notch's other trails.

Fishing

Profile Lake is fly-fishing only and has a car-top boat launch at its southbound pull-off. Echo Lake allows fishing and boating, with rentals at the beach. New Hampshire fishing licenses and rules apply; check NH Fish and Game.

Camping and Campfires

• Camp at Lafayette Place Campground or the Cannon RV Park, both run by the state.
• Campfires go in the campsite fireplaces, which the state asks you not to move.
• Don't bring firewood from out of state. It's against New Hampshire law (RSA 227-K:17) because firewood spreads insects and tree diseases.
• Quiet hours at the campground are 10pm to 7am, with no generators.
• Don't cut standing trees or their limbs.

Wildlife

Keep food away from wildlife. At the campground the state asks you to keep a clean site and lock food and scented items in your vehicle at night, because raccoons open coolers and bears destroy them. On the trails, watch wildlife from a distance and don't disturb it, as NH State Parks asks of foliage-season visitors.

Parking and Traffic

Parking along I-93 is illegal at any time. Hikers may not park in the campground or the Echo Lake Beach lot. Use the lots listed on parking, and on foliage weekends follow staff directions and any one-way trail signs, such as the one-way pattern on Artists Bluff.

Hiking Safety

New Hampshire's Hike Safe program, promoted on the park's pages, asks hikers to be responsible for themselves: carry the knowledge and gear for the terrain and weather, leave your plans with someone, stay with your group, and turn back when conditions change. In the off-season the park is typically unstaffed, and the state says visitors assume all risk. In an emergency, call 911.

Trash

Franconia Notch is part of the state's Carry-In/Carry-Out program: take home whatever you bring. The full rules are on the NH State Parks park page.