Kancamagus Highway Reviews

4.7

1 of 38 Best Attractions in North Conway


Reviews

Fall Color Seekers Must-See

By MaryJ071597 |

Add me to the list of fans for this beautiful highway! Tons of gorgeous color on this easy drive. There are numerous turnoffs for hiking and viewing streams and foliage. If you have sunny weather like we did you will not be disappointed. Guaranteed!

Great Drive

By David S |

A beautiful 35 mile drive with stops along the way that are just gorgeous. Plenty of scenic views and smaller waterfalls, with a lot of hiking trails. The only negative is there are plenty of restrooms along the way but they are almost unbearable with an very bad smell.

Not Sure What All the Fuss is About

By lupita1868 |

Drive up 93 through Franconia Notch and across 302 to Conway was much prettier. Better, closer views of mountains.

By Beveraldo |

Stunning views, many of them. Many viewing points as well. Not as good for the driver of the car to see it all but great for passengers.

Awesome fall foliage drive

By AUtraveler15 |

This is a “must do” if you are in the North Conway NH area and want to see awesome fall foliage. There is a $5 permit required for parking along the route that is available at the Park Ranger station. There are many scenic areas to view including beautiful streams, a covered bridge, and unbelievable mountains. There were very knowledgeable volunteers at many of the areas we stopped that provided info and suggestions. Don’t miss this awesome drive!

Best Way to See Natural New Hampshire

By Grover R |

Our trip to New England was a mixture of my two favorite travels, history and nature. However, our time in New Hampshire was mostly nature and one of the best ways to see it is this highway. The road is 35 miles between Lincoln and Conway running through the south end of the White Mountains. The road itself is a beautiful setting; however, what also give it the #1 spot for the state is the number of great stops along the highway. Due to time constrains we were only able to visit Panoramic Overlook and Sabbaday Falls.

While our visit says September, it was early September with little color showing. I can imagine now in late September the road is even better. Still, we greatly enjoyed our time in the nature of New Hampshire, and this is a great road to sit. I will say I think I-93 through Franconia Notch is impressive but second to this road. I highly recommend you drive both and you will many of the best natural sights in the state.

Beautiful Fall Foliage

By cathyinwv |

We were here to see the fall foliage and were not disappointed! Each stop was the best! Best Fall foliage on our New England trip.

Favorite place!!

By Amy M |

So beautiful as peaceful!!
A must see drive. Stop anywhere on the road to take a dip and enjoy nature. Breath taking views!!!

I drove east-west and it lands you right into Lincoln, NH. Had lunch afterwards.

By Allison A |

Definitely worth a drive. Most of it is surrounded by trees so I'm really glad I drove it in the fall with the change in colors. Not sure if I would have appreciated it the same in the summer. There are a few observation turnouts to park and take pictures of the mountains.

Fall Drive A Must

By trophywest |

One of the highlights of our trip was this stretch of highway. The first half especially with scenes along the river were beautiful. Further along, the Fall foliage had already reached its prime.

overrated

By jag5757 |

The drive is nice, but over-rated; I think it's better to go north to the Mount Washington Hotel or west and go down the Connecticut river valley. Especially if you want to find shops and apple orchards and such along country roads.

Very Scenic

By c0verdale |

A great drive through the White Mountains with many scenic spots as well as hiking trails.
Well worth spending a day exploring along the "Kanc"

Always a wonderful trip

By Jamie R |

Always a wonderful trip regardless of the season...Have even driven in snow storms....you'll want 4 wheel drive.
One of the most scenic drives (other than the notch).

Autumn on the Kanc

By Jean S |

The Kanc in Autumn is a must see. I go every year and hit the leaf peeping season just right this year. Columbus weekend is always busy and I had trouble parkingat some of the more popular places but there are numerous places to pull off and enjoy the color. I have visited in Summer also and it's a great place to dip your toes in a cold mountain stream on a hot day

Kancamagus Can! New Hampshire 112 is a Must!

By Jed G |

Ridiculously scenic and not a disappointment! It was highly recommended and the fall colors were amazing! We were driving from Stowe Vermont on our way to Bar Harbor Maine and are so happy we didn’t miss the opportunity to drive this scenic bypass. We pulled over and took all kinds of pictures. #LeafPeepers

We love going over the pass to see whatever is going on in Lincoln

By Arlene F |

We visited the Ice Castle's this year and they were wonderful. Great for the kids. The twinkling lights that surrounded the ice sculptures was very eye catching. Tub rides and sledding were available. Book on line before going. Reservations needed.

Highlight of my New England trip

By melissa w |

This was part of our roadtrip from Cincinnati to Acadia National Park in Maine during October. The White Mountains and the Kanc were just as good as Acadia. The drive on the Kanc and surrounding area is spectacular. There are lots of places to stop and enjoy the view or go for hikes (as hikers, we loved Mt. Osceola and Boulder Loop).

Road needs some TLC

By KrispyDonut |

The ice rivers were stunning this time of year. The kids enjoyed the snow. The only downer was the washboard-like road caused some car sickness. Pretty much the whole road through the national forrest land.

I have been here twice and both times it was closed I don’t understand why

By Kathy B |

I have been here twice and both times it was closed I don’t understand why we went a couple weeks ago and then we also went to years ago both times was closed so disappointed

Definitely worth the drive!

By crosscourtforehand |

We spent almost 3 hours on this drive starting from Conway heading west. You could spend less time if you are not a camera buff like I am. We stopped at: Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Russell-Colbath, Sabbaday Falls, Sugar Hill, CL Graham Wangan, and Pemigewasset. It was tough to find a parking spot at Sabbaday and the stops were all pretty busy, but it was worth it for the beatiful foliage views.

Worthy of the Hype

By Andrew M |

Beautiful leaves. Exceeded my expectations. If you go in October, try to go during the week to avoid the crowds on the weekend.

Lower Falls Vista is a nice stop

By Pamela R |

We stopped for a break from out travels. It was so nice to walk the trail and view the water falls. The views were outstanding. However since it was a busy day the rest rooms were terrible! They smelled so bad that I decided to wait till the next stop! Just gross.

Love the Kanc!

By Cindy A |

We love the Kanc! We have now driven across the Kancamagus every season. The views are amazing. We love to stop and check out the views...we have hiked a few of the trails...Sabbaday Falls was interesting to see during the winter. It is a must do if you are in the mountains of NH, no matter what season!

Not just in the Fall

By Art and Ginny |

Whether you like waterfall, mountains, covered bridges or a relaxing drive this is the route for you. Give your self time to explore. Lots of vistas and picnic areas.

Beautiful foliage

By Ariana Monteiro |

The views were unbelieveable! I would highly recommend you take the time to explore this and stop at a bunch of the hikes/scenic tours

Beautiful land

By Derek Karl |

Just a beautiful trip, I am looking forward, tomorrow, to jumping into the water to cool off on my way back when it's going to be almost 95 degrees!

Stunning!

By tym4zin |

On the recommendation from a friend, this was a must do for views and Fall leaf-peeping. We took a route to be sure to include this beautiful highway. I'm so glad we did because the colors were stunning and the views at the overlooks were beautiful, as well.

Itinerary for leaf peeping

By wasmith59 |

This is a must do on a leaf peeping tour. Lots of stops through the White Mountain National Park to picnic and to see waterfalls. Figure on 4 hours with stops. Traffic is likely heavy.

Beautiful

By Emettsnana |

We have been fortunate to ride the “Kanc” without much traffic. We have done most of our riding in later afternoons and have not had any problem finding parking places at the pull offs. We enjoyed listening to the Guide Along App as we drove the Kanc, it gives interesting stores and histories of the area. It also recommended the planes to pull off for scenery.

Beautiful Bucolic Drive

By Film G |

Many Trails originate or pass through this road, and there are numerous cars of day hikers parked along the shoulder. Stop and take a walk. Or just drive along and soak up the Great North Woods vibe.

Best tips for stops on the way if you only have several hours

By harpazhadar |

We had only 4 hours to experience this amazing road so had to focus on few specific spots. Made some research online beforehand and decided on these 4 stops which did not disappoint! Started from the North Conway eastern entrance we stopped at the Saco Ranger Station and paid 5$ for a parking daily pass. (You have to pay only if you plan on stopping and parking on the way). There were also self service - pay your fee on site stations but you had to have the exact amount in cash to use them. Our Top stops were:
1. Albany Covered Bridge
2. Lower Falls Scenic Area
3. Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
4. Sabbaday Falls
We were traveling on the beginning of the Foliage season and the colors and ambiance were perfect!
Not much to eat on the way so it is best to make some sandwiches and stock on some snacks and water before entering. On the other side near Lincoln we had a terrific dinner at Black Mt. Burger Co – highly recommended!!!

Quintessential New Hampshire

By 649001 |

This is a place to see NH during the fall! Wonderful scenic views, trails, waterfalls! Sabbaday falls, Ricky Gorge, and Lower Falls are must see.
Keep in mind the phone service is not working there. Keep a paper map with you.

Do this if you love the outdoors!

By Scott Saige |

Beautiful, serene, perfectly maintained, plenty of places to pull off and take pics or go on hikes to stunning waterfalls. Struck the perfect balance between wilderness and convenience. Didn't get the fall colors but was more than worth the time.

Wow, go during the fall foliage

By sbgLosAngeles |

We hit the peak season and this drive was absolutely gorgeous! Give yourself lots of time to stop and take photos.

Classic Motorbike Ride don’t miss it.

By David M |

Beautiful motorbike route! This route through Conway had spectacular scenery and is a must see. Planning on making this an annual ride .

It is soooooo worth the drive

By Robert P N |

Best to leave early, the stop along the way can get crowed and in some places where traffic slows down it can back up by a few miles. If you like to hike there are some amazing places. We just went for the Fall Colors and leaves and it is truly incredible. And then there are the stopping places for rivers, hikes, waterfalls, rocks, and more. Plan for an entire day, bring food, take your time, and enjoy.

Beautiful panoramic road

By USASUN |

We were excited about this 54km panoramic road. Since we from Bar Harbor
came here, it was already in the middle of the afternoon. A little too late, as we've fixed
had to put, the sunlight was partially obscured by the hills. We have
stopped at some stops, such as Sabbaday Falls. In a small loop can
you explore these. Although it had little water, they were still very nice.
The road led in serpentines up to Sugar Hill and Pemigewasset Over-
look. Both are very nice viewpoints of the autumn forests. The car
we could park each without any problems, but some places were subject to a fee. For this road, you should take enough time. We had then stayed in Lincoln, which was not ideal. The place and accommodation were rather bad. We should have stayed in the beautiful surroundings of Conway beforehand and navigated the panoramic road the next day. In Conway we had previously visited 3 large, idyllic wooden bridges and the place we had liked very much.

Indien Summer Highlight

By Robert H |

An Explosion of colors, pink, gold, yellow, orange, Zitrus, Bronze, Green, Blue. Street not too busy.

Leaf Peeking

By Tracyhein99 |

Wow was on the Kancamagus Highway yesterday! Absolutely amazing colors. Highly recommend this route ... Gods amazing beauty!!!!!

Lots of opportunities

By Juanita W |

There is so much to do along the highway it was hard to know how to prioritize our time. I was challenged to identify the best hikes for us, but he trailheads/scenic lookouts were well marked and easy on off.

Awesome day trip

By rayroy |

The drive between Lincoln and Conway down the King of megas highway is absolutely gorgeous. There are so many spots you can pull off take pictures go on hikes there's so much to do here. We had a blast driving down the road and stopping at all the pull-offs. You can spend as little as a couple hours or all day here.

Just Shut Up and Do It.

By Jay B |

I'm not saying anything else. Just do it. Take a day. Do the whole road all the way to Bath, through Woodstock. It's a lifetime thing. You have to do it. I'm ordering you to do it.

Enjoyable drive with some good overlooks

By gmbklm |

Drove along the Highway 3-4 times whilst in NC. Has some very nice overlooks, and attractive stopping places by rapids / waterfalls. Felt over-hyped as thing to do, since much of it is repetition of the same.

Moose on the roadside

By Tnlfnc |

We inserted a long stretch of this scenic road lengthening our route and we are definitely satisfied. Although we were not in the foliage period, the road has beautiful landscapes. And then, suddenly, we see two moose on the side of the road eating: a meeting we will not forget!

A classic New England drive

By Cabadrin |

The Kanc is one of those incredible New England drives that seems to come straight out of Yankee Magazine: Rivers tumbling down around you, dozens of trailheads, hawks and deer wandering through the wood. Foliage season is incredible as every turn brings new explosions of color, but don't discount the hot summer days swimming in the river or the hundreds of miles of showshoeing and hiking trails that lead off of it. A must-do if you're visiting the area.

Lovely drive

By R H |

Great highway with plenty ofvscenic views. Some opportunities to take pictures with river in the background.

Absolutely breathtaking!

By Rashae Williams |

We were blown away by the colors in mid-October. What a beautiful drive, lovely stops, it was probably our favorite part of our stay in New Hampshire, and our favorite drive during our whole road trip. Couldn't get enough of it!

Beautiful highway

By Jake23 |

One of the most beautiful highways in the United States. It is amazing in the fall, but beautiful in the summer as well. Lots of twists and turns. Stop at the lookouts to see the beautiful White Mountain landscape.

Great Fall views, not a lot of restrooms

By September_Love |

We drove this after going to the sandwich fair (Columbus day weekend). It was prime time for leave peepers so some of the normal views on the road were blocked by tour buses, and a copious amount of other cars. This large number of people out meant many of pull off areas were packed. I do advise using the restroom before you start the drive the bathrooms at the pull off areas are glorified porta-potties and aren't cleaned regularly. At the time we were there I was 37 weeks pregnant and unfortunately couldn't hold it until we got back to the main stretch of roads to find a cleaner bathroom. Great views anytime of the year, but even more so in the fall.

The Kanc drive is a must-see!

By David A |

Beautiful drive thru the mountains with several worthwhile natural attractions that are well worth your time and attention. Just make sure to have enough gas before begging the short drive...pay attention...lots of wildlife (turkey, deer, squirrels, chipmunks), etc...

Beautiful Drive

By randstyr |

We were lucky to be there at a time of peak fall colors... truly amazing. We stopped at all of the scenic overlooks and Sabbaday Falls -- all fantastic.

A few helpful hits:

1. Regarding one of the scenic overlooks -- the CL Graham Wagman Overlook. There is a small additional parking lot directly across the street from the main lot, which comes in handy when the main lot is full. It is not identified well -- it looks like a side road -- but it available for public use (unless you are driving an RV or bus).

2. It's a 0.3 mile walk to Sabbady Falls from the parking lot -- uphill for a good part, but navigable for people of all ages. There are several benches along the way for those that need to take a break. Lots of step around the falls, but very well maintained.

3. For some of the sites in the park (not the overlooks), there is a fee ($5/day) to park in the adjacent lot. You can pay for this in cash at the lot, or buy a pass online. The lot at the Sabbaday Falls does require payment of that daily fee. However, there was a large number of cars parked along the highway in the area, which did not incur this fee.

Scenic places, some short hikes

By B K |

Used the Action guide. Started at the visitors center and got hints where to stop. We took four hours. Hiked to the Sabbady falls. Stopped for a picnic lunch at the suspension bridge ( our first stop from Lincoln)

Wonderful Scenery

By Milford_PaMooseman |

Whenever we are in the area my wife and I love to drive this highway. No matter what season it is always a special drive. Not only is the scenery beautiful we have witnessed moose and black bear crossing the road as well as other wildlife.

Fall Foliage

By RJ748 |

We drove the highway (Highway 112 between Conway and Lincoln New Hampshire) during fall foliage season, and enjoyed the scenery. We started at the Saco Ranger Station in Conway, where we paid $5 for a vehicle day pass. Cars that drive the road don't need a pass, but it is required if you stop anywhere along the way. (Folks who have a National Parks and Federal Lands Senior Pass don't need to purchase a day pass, but unfortunately my husband left his National Parks pass at home on this trip.)

The folks at the ranger station were very welcoming and helpful. They provided us with a map and a flyer describing points of interest along the road. They also had some nice, reasonably-priced souvenirs for sale at the ranger station.

The materials they provided us described 18 points of interest along the road. We stopped at five of the sites: the Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, the Sugar Hill Overlook, and Otter Rocks.

A pleasant drive with lots of good photo opportunities.

Fantastic Vistas for Fall Colors

By butchcassidysr |

We were fortunate to catch the fall colors in all their glory while taking the drive from Lincoln to Conway. The local maps designate the road side stops each of which offers stunning views and photo opportunities. From what we were told this is one of the best places to experience fall colors in New England and we have to agree.

Easily one of the most scenic roadways in the northeast.

By Ray T |

If you find yourself in northern New Hampshire and are looking for a scenic roadway to capture the visual essence of New Hampshire, I highyl recommend the Kancmagus Highway. The "Kanc" has multiple pull-offs to be able to enjoy the views. Don't miss a single one.

An outstanding drive in absolutely stunning scenery.

By stevenjenniferw |

We drove the Kancamagus Highway from North Conway NH towards Woodstock VT, and it was a fantastic experience. We planned the trip for October when hopefully the foliage would be at its most colourful, and we were certainly not disappointed. Although the weather was rainy, it didn't detract from the experience with a photo opportunity around every bend!

One of the most beautiful drives anywhere!

By Lisa Herber |

Amazing views. Foliage, waterfalls, streams, lakes, mountains - oh my! Stop and explore, take a hike. Enjoy the breath-taking views of the best nature has to offer.

The most beautiful drive!

By ATLgoose |

We drove the highway in the third week of October on a weekday. We were amazed that there was virtually no traffic since the leaf color was peak/near peak. Gorgeous view around every corner! At one point, it was like going through a tree tunnel with brilliant color on both sides of the road for over a half mile. Just spectacular. Gas up before you go as there are no facilities on the highway.

Relaxing tour

By vernon m |

The kids /teenagers they liked getting out into the lovely river and seeing the beautiful rocks trees and mountains and the view down this highway

Nice Drive

By katt51 |

We spent a morning driving the Kancamagus and enjoying the scenery. Many of the pull outs were very busy though, and with the social distancing we opted not to stop at several of them. But, it was a nice drive nontheless.

What a beautiful ride

By lljjbb |

Famous for fall foliage, but what a beautiful ride to take for spring kick-off. Views breathtaking and so many great trails to hike. Slow drive with many stops or none. Take your time and enjoy the beauty and calmness. Highly recommend this drive.

What a beautiful highway

By Skip a |

We spent several days camping and seeing things along the highway that had beautiful fall colors all around. We made many stops to see everything.....highly suggest and recommend this highway, especially in the fall.

Everyone should drive this at least when in NH

By Vizzo |

This is a great road. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. Ok for any type of car or motorcycle. We have driven it in a group and alone, great for a car club

fantastic scenic drive

By Warren H |

make sure the gas tank is full! Dramatic 20 mile drive up winding (but well paved) mountain highway up and over the Kancamagus Pass. Several well paved scenic overlook area with beautiful views of the near and distant mountains. This would be a total slam dunk with fall foliage!!! Many hiking trails branch off. Make the route a part of your visit to either Franconia Notch or Crawford Notch.

Kancamagus winter views

By 649barbarao |

Beautiful drive even in the winter. Snow flurries made it very scenic. Stopped and took some pictures by the Swift River.

First Annual

By Karl Tirrell |

Beautiful place but we saw no wildlife, which I was disappointed about. First Kanc drive in almost 4 years from then

Continuing the legacy

By True S |

We venture up there at least two times a year. The family loves it! We come when its hot to cool off in the water after a hike and in the Autumn for the foliage.

Stunning...a “must do” on everyone’s bucket list!

By Pavetack |

Wow...truly an experience of a lifetime! The mountains come alive with hues of red, orange, and yellow mixed with the shadows of evergreens. Lots of quaint shops and eateries along with way. Plan on spending a day end to end. Recommend North Conway on the east end or Lincoln on the west end as places to stay.

Wonderful views

By Angee R |

wonderful views and also places you can stop and look at the scenery.
No traffic and easy signs to read and explain what you are looking at.

Love cruising the Kanc

By c0verdale |

Always love driving through the Kancamagus Highway when in the area.
It is very scenic and has several stops to enjoy hikes, etc along the way.

A wonderful nature filled meander through the White Mountains

By Kmcoyle |

We meandered our way end to end on the Kancamagus Highway on an overcast Thursday during peak season to catch the leaves but avoid the crowds. It was lovely, but candidly this year the foliage is just not great. Some parts of the highway are at peak, though not the usual bright colors overall. Many areas are brown and yet other areas are still green. Just weird...

The Kancamangus is a ~ 30 mile highway through the White Mountains with many different pull off areas/stops for seeing rivers, hikes, and camping. The road is very well maintained with mostly forest, very little developed area: no gas and or shopping. On the Conway side, stop at the Ranger Visitor's Center for information, maps, and ask questions. The little highway map highlights key areas for exploring: lower falls, gorge, waterfalls, etc. Fabulous any time of year, though summer and Fall foliage are usually amazing. We were able to see some beautiful foliage and enjoyed the clean, crisp air. Enjoy!

Beautiful!

By Dan A |

Road trip! We were lucky enough to drive this road today at what I think was absolute peak foliage season! An easy drive with lots of ple to pull off and admire nature’s beauty.

Amazing!

By N600HXjules |

Having grown up in the city and never traveled to the mountains,
I was taken back by the beauty of the Kancamagus.
Mostly every time we plan on going, I always to visit the mountains.
Hiking, feel in love w/hiking.

Dream of retiring up in NC, you can keep FLA.

Leaf-peeping on the Kanc is Awesome

By Deanne D |

Explored the Kanc on a Saturday during peak leaf-peeping! Gorgeous! Started from North Conway around 9am, and the parking wasn’t bad but traffic got thicker as the day went on. Enjoyed every minute!

An absolute MUST

By Andy P |

Best drive I have ever done and simply stunning foliage. You can stop often and take photos. Also there are a couple of wonderful waterfalls either right by the road (Silver) or a short walk off it (Ripley).

One of the highlights of our New England tour.

By Haskell R |

For those off on a leaf-peeping excursion, this highway is a must-do. We were awe-stricken at every turnout and every stop. The best photographs on our trip came on this drive, but to do it properly do take your time to enjoy the majesty of the changing pallet of colors that Autumn brings. It is best to hit the road in the early light, and when the weather cooperates you will not regret it. Be advised that this highway is frequented by tour buses, which can crowd some of the stops.

Very Good

By DaBigG |

Drove it on Oct 10. Nice scenery and various walking trails. One thing scared me though. It is in a remote area. We saw a bad motorcycle wreck and no one had cell phone service to call 911. Don’t know how emergency people were contacted.

The Kanc

By Christine S |

Always fabulous views on ‘the kanc’!!!! Beautiful scenery, babbling brooks, and viewing areas for fabulous pics!!!

Despite the rain, we thoroughly enjoyed the drive and the sites we saw!!

By MidwestKathM |

From the time we heard about the Kankamagus Highway, we knew we wanted to drive this scenic highway. Earlier this year our planned drive was thwarted by car trouble. So we returned...only to be driving the Kank on a rainy September day. We started in Lincoln, stocking up with sandwiches, deli salads, chips, and beverages, since there are no places to buy anything along this road. We had a map printed off the Internet; that was very helpful in identifying the scenic turnouts and other sites to visit. At the first couple scenic turnouts, the low-hanging fog was pretty despite obscuring the mountain views, and the trees provided a variety of colors and shapes in the foreground. The best stop was Sabbaday Falls, even in a steady rain (while we carried umbrellas). We passed on several other sites because it was raining too hard to enjoy ourselves.

great drive even in the summer

By michellehouse |

We got on the highway a little after lunch time. There was some traffic but not what I'm used to on the scenic drives in the national parks (like trail ridge road or going to the sun road). We found some parking at Otter Rocks and let the kids spend some time swimming the in the river and riding down the natural "waterslides." Water wasn't very deep in most places and the current wasn't very fast so even our 5 year old could play. We stopped at several other scenic stops and drove over the covered bridge. It was a great afternoon.

Great Vistas

By dcd0127 |

A beautiful and scenic drive. Hoping to go back in the summer and maybe see a moose. If you have the time to travel the whole drive, definitely do so.

K.H.2

By theoljohnnyboy |

This was out 2nd visit to the Kanc, and we were even more pleased the second time than the first time. There is so much to do on this highway it is truly incredible. Breathtaking sites and stops of varying lengths for all people. No admission or cost to drive it, but many stops do require the purchase of a day pass for $5 at a pay station. No gas or food stops along the route, nor is there much phone service. An enjoyable visit!!

Beautiful Drive

By Christopher C |

From what I hear, it is most beautiful during the Fall Color Season, but even in Spring, it is a worthy drive. Don't be in a hurry, there are many places to pull off and take short hikes and see waterfalls if you like, and a river that runs parallel to a good part of the highways drive as well is just as scenic .... and I hear there's good fishing in it as well ...

Beautiful Fall drive

By Trina Jacobs |

Beautiful drive with lots of stops to see the foliage, rocks, and waterfalls. Most of the locations are accessible for all ages. If visiting New England in the Fall, I would highly recommend this drive.

Another bucket list item checked off!

By Ruth Y |

Just loved this beautiful scenic drive. The views were fabulous. Trees were just starting to turn. Lots of pull off areas with amazing views. The mountains are majestic. There were many trails and scenic spots, waterfalls, covered bridges & more. Roads are in good condition. Trails for all some easy, moderate and difficult.

Such a beautiful scenic drive!

By Coastal784506 |

I love this drive! So many places to pull off and explore. You could easily spend a whole day exploring. There are plenty of stops that don’t take as long to see the sights. We didn’t get to do all the stops. That just gives us a good excuse to come back! Definitely recommend this drive!

Just DO it!

By AliJD10 |

Fabulous drive with lots of places to pull over and take in the views of rivers, waterfalls, trees, mountains...just spectacular. All you pay is a flat $5 a day for a pass if you want to stop in the viewing parks and use the (basic!) loos. Just pop the $5 in the envelopes provided with your details, tear off the slip; post the envelope in the box and keep the slip in your windscreen.
We walked along next to rivers and through woods to waterfalls and just breath taking views over the trees. Only 34 miles but allow a couple of hours with stops.

Awesomw

By Woodstock63 |

I’ve been coming up here for over 50 years and still look forward to coming. Love the falls and everything about it.

nice ride

By Curious503017 |

It was beautiful to see the Snow on the Mountain tops.It was a beautiful time of the year and very little traffic.

Pretty Drive

By refmd |

A pretty, smooth driving trip (tho trees were rather dull in color rather than bright....wrong time of the year). An easy & pleasant drive...

Beautiful mountains

By shayna797 |

The Kanc is magnificent, especially with fall foliage. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s a scavenger hunt in beautiful nature.

Had a Perfect Day for a Great Drive

By MissyPA71 |

Had a great drive along the route. Stopped off to check out the mini Lookout points, took our time and since we had planned in advance, we knew exactly which ones we were going to visit. Had some great photo ops and had the chance to take a few decent hikes along the way too. Had a quick picnic and just enjoyed the afternoon. Great time!

Quick mention: Some of the stops do say that there is a fee to park, and public bathrooms are a few and far in-between, so just throwing that out there .

Great drive

By Francisco V |

The foliage view is spectacular. I was seriously trying to spot a moose, but I was not successful. There are many warning signs on this highway of moose collisions so my hopes were high (not fir a collision) to be able to spot one of these beautiful creatures.

Epic drive!

By Ben S |

The whole ride was exceptional, with views at every turn. I love easy drives, and this one was sprinkled with impeccable outlooks and scenery. Would love to do again!
Instagram: @freestylingtraveler

Perfect Fall Day on the Highway!

By Linda T |

Have wanted to drive the highway for awhile and was excited to do it today. We were blessed with the most beautiful fall colors everywhere! We drove from Lincoln to Conway. It took us about four hours as we stopped at most of the sites. We discovered that a National Parks Pass can be used to cover the fee...have the card visible on the dash. We crossed the footbridge at the Lincoln stop and hiked awhile on the lovely path on the other side. Sabbadaye Falls was perhaps my favorite stop. Short walk to get there and worth it. Liked the Rocky Gorge (short walk). Russell-Colbert Historical Home was open and worth a stop. Albany covered bridge you can walk or drive over. If you start from Lincoln, get sandwiches/lunch before you get into town as limited places available. Take hand sanitizer...none in bathrooms.

Kancamagus Highway

By Ron S |

Don't waste your time . The 30-mile highway has a couple of lookouts with good views but nothing dramatic. If you want really great views take Rt 93 further north from Lincoln thru the Franconia Notch for about 20-30 miles.

Winter Fantasyland

By Prentiss P |

Drove from Conway to Lincoln through a winter wonderland. Trees covered with layers of snow on all sides, sun breaking through in brilliant beams illuminating the mountainsides. The road is lined with foot trails, x-country ski trails and viewpoints regularly spaced along the 25 mile route. We stopped 3 times to walk into the wilderness - surrounded by an all white world - silent except for the sound of frozen streams gurgling under the ice. Just be sure to have enough gas -- there are no stations or services en route.

Nice scenic drive

By Susan D |

Very nice scenic drive. We stopped at the Saco Ranger Station to get a map and talk to the Ranger. We stopped at Albany Covered Bridge, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area and Sabbaday Falls. All were worth the stop for the views! Especially take the walk to Sabbaday Falls! We saw many wild turkeys along the way. We were short on time, so we did not go the end of the highway.

A Must Do in NH

By Christina B |

We had a beautiful day and enjoyed the 56 miles of sights and views. Favorite was Sabbath Falls & Albany Bridge. There’s a number of stops and each offers a little something different. They are all great. Lots of trails for those who want to hike. You can use your America the Beautiful pass or National Park pass as it’s accepted. Just place it on your dash when it requires you to pay to park. We had no issues using ours.

Beautiful

By Katie S |

This drive was beautiful. We went in the summer so I can only imagine the views in the fall with all the colors. We got out at Otter Rocks and let the kids swim. They loved it. Lots of rocks to climb (be careful. slippery when wet!). The current was broken up pretty well by the rocks so I wasn't worried about the younger kids. The deepest part of where we were came up to my chest (I'm 5'8"). My 9 year old was able to stand and be fine but the 6 year old needed to be held in the deep areas. The water was cold but we had so much fun. We also hit up some of the other stops but didn't stay due to the parking. The parking lot all had signs about paying to park which I didn't see mentioned anywhere before we went.

Very pretty but often very slow

By Kay D |

This route is very pretty, but during the Fall, it was very crowded. People parking all over the place and walking out into the road. We drove it twice, once during the peak of the day and stopped several times, but it was much pleasanter when we redrove it (returning from Franconia State Park) the following day late afternoon. View from Hancock Overlook was great; Sabbaday Falls (about 10 min walk from the road, but up) and Lower Falls (good flat pathway and a considerable size car park) were definitely worth stopping to take a look.

Beautiful and Peaceful Drive

By Leesa95 |

This is a positively beautiful drive between Conway and Lincoln New Hampshire. It has multiple hiking trails and stop offs on the side of the road for scenic overlooks and photos. It is a busy and well traveled road, particularly during the leaf changing season. It took about 45 minutes to drive, not counting the stop overs. Highly recommended to stop at the shops on either end.

Best Autumn Drive ever!

By alp048 |

The "Kanc" is spectacular in any season, but my favorite is the Fall, with all the color. It is also wonderful in the Winter (but a little dicey) with the snow and ice.
In the fall you have to contend with bus loads of "leaf peepers" and crazy traffic. In Summer, there are places to stop and go swimming in the Swift River (again, very crowded).
Conway and No. Conway on one end, and Lincoln on the other end, offer LOTS of things to do from shopping and food and activities.
The "Kanc:" is a 30+ mile ride through some amazing wilderness. My suggestion is...do it during the weekdays if you can. Take your time and enjoy the beauty. If you go during the Fall or Winter...the weather can be drastically different....from cloudy in Conway or Lincoln to a raging snowstorm at Kancamagus Pass !

Beautiful!

By cynthiahO4477BQ |

Beautiful foliage. Well maintained. Scenic. We stopped a Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls and a waterfall. Friendly people. Great walk.

Beautiful drive, off the beaten path.

By seritacchilds |

We had a lovely day, enjoyed beautiful views, The highway is well maintained, and a gorgeous drive. When in the area, a must.

one of America’s most beautiful scenic byways

By sanju_222323 |

The Kancamagus Byway, one of America’s most beautiful scenic byways, will give you year-round access to many of the sites. it is a portion of NH Route 112 spanning east to west from Lincoln to Conway.

The 34.5-mile drive is considered one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the world. A number of scenic vistas are plotted along the way offering remarkable views of the White Mountains, the Swift River, Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls, and the Rocky Gorge.

known to locals as “The Kanc”, is home to an abundance of hiking trails, walking paths, picturesque ponds, natural wonders, and many other must-see stops. In Fall, the foliage along the Kancamagus Highway is simply spectacular.

We started from Lincoln and passed the following (in sequence)
Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook
Sabbaday Falls
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
Lower Falls Scenic Area
Albany Covered Bridge

it must be one of the 10 best scenic roads in the USA. I made almost 50-60 videos of this trip, you just can't resist it.

We drove the Kancamagus Highway as part of our New England fall road trip while traveling from Franconia Notch State Park to Acadia National Park. (There are no gas stations along the way so full the tank before starting)

bw the correct pronunciation is "kank-ah-MAU-gus. A trip along this National Scenic Byway is not just about the drive, it is about the journey and the places you stop along the way. A typical drive with multiple stops will take at least half a day.

Fee: $ 5-day pass fee per vehicle is payable at parking areas unless you have a White Mountain National Forest annual pass, which costs $30.

Such a nice country drive

By Veronic G |

Loved driving this highway. So pretty in the fall. Good for a nice country drive ! My husband and I really enjoyed it

awesome Mountain Drive

By Oceangirl |

being from the south the drive over route 112 really captured being in the New Hampshire and the scenic vistas offered some great views

Peaceful drive through nature!

By Porsche-the-Traveler |

Make sure you stop at all the overlooks on this peaceful drive thru the mountains! Very peaceful drive thru nature. Enjoyed the walk around the pond at the Rocky Gorge! Lots of hiking everywhere!

Incredibly Gorgeous

By Cryptic_Tourist |

Doing this drive in the fall is the best, we went on a Wednesday afternoon and while it was busy, I wouldn’t say it was packed. Really enjoyed the Lower Falls and Sabbaday Falls the most. Make sure you eat or have food before you get there because there’s no food available for purchase. Also, every review I kept saying said there were no toilets. While that part is true, there are plenty of latrines. So as long as you don’t mind that, you’re good.

Amazing views through a comfortable drive

By Edward C |

Lovely views over and over along this roadway. Nicely marked, lots of turn off spots worth exploring and learning about. Would like to visit at different times of the year.

Incredible Drive

By Gordon T |

Going to New England in the autumn is incomplete without a drive on the Kanc. We took this drive the first week of October and it was seriously the highlight of the trip. There is stunning foliage and views the entire time and a plethora of hikes and view spots to stop and explore. Don't hesitate to get out and see what is just beyond the highway.

Beautiful

By Jennifer T |

Great side trip. We used it as a means to get to Rangeley, just because we prefer the scenic route. Pretty drive. I imagine it would be even more spectacular in the fall. We had zero traffic in the winter.

A definite must-see in New Hampshire

By Getaway573271 |

This is a must-see if you are visiting this area. Breathtaking views and several places to pull off to experience other great outdoor nature sites. Absolutely beautiful countryside.

Beautiful ride no matter what the season.

By mainemn |

Scenic ride across the mountains, breathtaking in fall, beautiful all the seasons. Dozens of lots along the way to start your hike from. The Swift river runs along the road and there's easy access to places where you can walk out on the rocks or splash in the water. Keep an eye out for Moose and deer, if you get lucky maybe a black bear.

Just Beautiful

By Campingfan100 |

This highway is just beautiful in the fall. My wife loves to take photos of the foliage in the fall and this just never disappoints year after year.

Excellent trip.

By Stanislav P |

Beautiful fall foliage, many spectacular overlooks.
Pretty waterfalls, in one word definitely excellent trip.

Great Scenic Drive even in the winter

By Mary D |

Fun drive during the winter, but beware that there is no cell service out there. Stopped for some photo ops around the Swift River. it's a great scenic drive.

Spectacular drive

By Susan K |

This is such a beautiful scenic drive. I don’t think there is a prettier road in all of New Hampshire. The road is twisting and follows the river down the mountain. The best time to see it is in the fall with all the changing of the leaves.

Scenic wonders

By PattyF58 |

Amazingly scenic views from the roadway! Gorgeous pull offs at White mountain national park! We were not fortunate enough to stay in the area overnight but we will definitely return.

Spring drive.

By NHjo |

Lately I've driven the Kanc to and from Franconia in autumn when the fall foliage is at peak, but it was also a beautiful drive on a gorgeous early June day. We had a lot of rain this past spring, so the vegetation was a lush palette of green shades. It was almost eerie how few people there were on the Kanc on a June weekday compared to the last three weeks of October.

Don't just drive it, take some hikes!

By Denise D |

My husband and I drove the highway in early August. We got a map and suggestions from the ranger station in Lincoln. We did 2 short hikes - one to Sabbaday Falls and the other to Champney Falls. Both were well-marked and well-maintained. We would have done more, but ran out of time.

The drive is beautiful, and the hikes are even better.

A-ma-zing!

By Jules B |

You should put this on your bucket list. I can't say enough good things about this scenic drive. My husband and I took most of the day to drive the byway from Conway to Lincoln. We hit the fall season at the perfect time earlier in Oct. The temps were perfect and the sites were unmatched anywhere I've been. You'll see rivers, streams, covered bridges, trails, historic sites, and much more. It was busy but not super crowded but I can see how it would be challenging if there were more cars. You can take it at your own pace and stop for photos, wading in the water (if it's not too cold), or picnicking. Be sure to gas up your car and grab some snacks before your start. A bonus tip: finish the drive by heading south from Lincoln on I93 continuing through the White Mountains. We took this route at sunset and saw some of the most glorious scenery.

Beautiful but super busy on weekend

By luvnyc76 |

We visit the area (Kancagamus Highway) every couples of years. This year the traffic jams going up and back down to Lincoln were terrible. At least a hour + each way of bumper to bumper traffic. It does make it hard to enjoy. So many people at pull offs, which made social distancing near impossible ( so keep that in mind) Parking can be hard at pull offs, as well as getting back out. We will try on a week day next time. The colors aren't that bright right now, Might've been better last week. The view are still amazing! Lincoln is a cute little town to explore.

Beautiful road

By King Trippy |

One of the most scenic drives in the nation. I've driven from coast to coast twice and from the East coast to Arizona twice as well. This twisting stretch of road offers some beautiful views, the chance to see wildlife, moose, deer, and even bear, as well as several rest stupid for a picnic or photography.

The highway runs from North Conway to Lincoln and takes about an hour to drive.

Lots of interesting stops

By hargeshe |

As we entered the Kancamagus Highway, there was the Saco River Ranger Station. They had maps of the stops and overlooks. They also had a list of the stops with interesting information about each one. Those things were very helpful and made our drive even more interesting. We didn't stop everywhere, but enjoyed it all. Especially Sabbaday Falls

Amzing Sights!

By Beth W |

If you have a car to explore the area, this highway is a MUST DO, especially in the Fall with the gorgeous foliage! There are lots of spots to pull off for scenic views and photographs so be sure to take your time and enjoy the beauty all along the route! The road is somewhat winding but if you take your time it should not be a problem!

Worth the time

By george b |

We were killing time before an afternoon wedding, and took a drive out Rt.112. The oohs and aahs in the car were numerous. The vistas are well worth stopping for. We were here at the tail end of the foliage , but it was still beautiful.

Beats the interstate. Beautiful scenery.

By Rhapsodyinblue |

This is a portion of a state highway that we used to get from North Conway back to the interstate. It is one of the most scenic highways in the country for a reason. Forests, streams, and plenty of overlooks of breathtaking White Mountain scenery. Enjoy a leisurely ride and enjoy the scenery. I just would love to come back in the Fall!

one of the best motorcycle roads in the north east.

By JoeyDe53 |

if you ride a motorcycle, or a sports car, this is a must riding experience.
Awesome mountain views, places to stop for food, hikes, or a swim.

GREAT FOR THAT LATE DAY DRIVE

By NewEnglandPhotoBug |

So much to see on this scenic drive. The Pemi Valley Overlook is the perfect spot to catch the sunset. Bring a meal and unwind. Numerous waterfall spots along the way to check out and it seems the later the day and during the week is best if you're looking for less crowds.

Gorgeous fall foliage!

By Carol and Ray L |

The foliage on this drive was the most beautiful we have ever seen. It was the first week in October and people said it had peaked a week early but the views on the drive were gorgeous. We stopped at several pullovers and did some walking at one of the stops. The road stops were quite crowded with cars and people, but what can you expect on a beautiful day on a beautiful highway with beautiful foliage?

Perfect time of year

By ivy1902 |

We recently traveled to NH and crossed the Kanc. Very few ppl hiking so it was super safe and relaxing. The drive was beautiful and barely any cars!

Incredible Views

By Liv |

The Kancamagus highway is a free highway to drive either just for the views/experience! Or to get somewhere in the area. It is breathtakingly gorgeous! There were crowds at many of the stopping areas, but there were so many stops for views that eventually you'll find one that isn't busy. We drove up and down it when traveling from North Conway to the Highland Games about an hour away. I can't even imagine how pretty the road is in October. Even in early September, when the trees were just beginning to turn, the views were incredible. I highly recommend driving this road if you're able.

GO. NOW. Beautiful sea of colors, vista's and mountain ranges. l

By augustwest73 |

Take a leisurely drive on one of the most beautiful (this time of year) roads I've been on. There are places to stop and enjoy the scenery take the road into North Woodstock and have lunch or dinner..

exploring with the grandkids - there are just so many cutoffs - the one the grandkids age 11 and 13 was the lower falls

By tracyhenry |

the grandkids found body surfacing in the lower falls. It was suppose to be a 15 min visit just like all the other cut offs we had stopped at before but it headed up being almost 2 hours. New friends were made and they just had so much fun. A little slippery on some rocks so you must be careful. I saw a dad holding a 6 month old in his arms not paying attention to anything and no matter what we said or what he saw he just kept walking over the rocks, I should say boulders. BE careful but have fun,

Possibly the best place to experience Fall foliage in New Hampshire

By Sugato Chandra |

Unforgettable experience! Liked it so much that we changed our plans and revisited it the next day. But was disappointed as majority of the trees lost many leaves due to continuous rains for the 2 days..Absolutely must visit for everyone wanting to admire and soak in the brilliant colors all around. 2019 season just got over so plan for 2020 and enjoy
The only thing we missed is a Cafe on the entire stretch - no food or drink available, so carry your own stuff

Beautiful drive with lots to see

By snapshotsofzen |

Beautiful highway that runs between Conway and Lincoln. There are so many interesting turn offs along the way. Our favorite was Sabbaday Falls and the Royal Gorge area. Take your time driving through and enjoy the scenery.

Spectacular in winter

By Richard S |

A very enjoyable drive in winter with spectacular views around each turn. It was our first visit in winter after visiting in spring, summer, and fall. The weather was sunny, clear, and cold. The scenery was breathtaking. The highway from Conway to Lincoln was in great condition, plowed and dry. However, the scenic overlooks and pull-outs were not plowed, but passable in the SUV.

Beautiful any time of year!

By Devashane |

Take the time to drive this beautiful highway . Plenty of easy hikes to pull off or just take in breathtaking views. Be wary at dawn and dusk- moose like to cross!

Espectacular Fall colors

By Hector L |

Espectacular!! We love it every year we come here to enjoy the colorful the freshness the brightness the sensations are infinite.

Foliage at its best

By WitchyYork |

Our second time driving the Kancamagus on the same October day, 4 years ago it was cloudy and misty but this time was amazing, a beautiful sunny day and perfect foliage. $5 for a park ticket is such good value too.

Disappointing.

By Nga L |

It’s 10/6/24 and already past peak, IMHO. Awful year for fall colors. Extremely disappointing. Dull, dull year. Don’t bother. Waste of time. God awful traffic.

Beautiful!!

By Kevin R |

Spectacular views, it’s a Highway so not too much to say but the views are breathtaking. I would recommend anyone taking the stroll during downtime or nap time with kids, you will not be disappointed!

Jaw droppingly beautiful

By Sally B |

I've wanted to see this area for decades. Finally did! The leaves were in full form and stunning. Very much worth the drive from Boston.

Best scenic views in New England

By James D |

Today we took the Kancamagus Highway East to West from Conway to Lincoln. Easily one of the most breathtaking vistas in New England and in the top ten for North America. Mother Nature in all of her splendor. Be sure to stop at all of the scenic views and bring a camera and pack a picnic lunch.

vacation during summer of cover

By Ellen G |

Love, Love, Love the Kancamagus, Swam at lower falls beautiful area with beautiful views, can get a little crowed, but plenty of space to social distance

Leaf Peeping

By Jayne W |

It was beautiful even though
we were probably a week before peak. It was just breath taking. A great ride fall ride for leaf peepers.

Drive along the Kanc in the Winter is Beautiful

By Bob L |

My wife and I took the Kancamagus Highway as part of a drive around the White Mountains in Feb. 2021. It was simply beautiful, and for the most part, the road was well cleared of snow. There were several parking lots cleared that allowed us to pull off and enjoy some beautiful winter overlooks . Highly recommend this way as a first introduction to the White Mountains.

NH Ride

By Punchvt |

We were able to hit the road on the perfect weekend for leaf peeping. This route thru NH is one of the best for open scenic views and pull-offs. One problem can be the amount of out-of-state travelers on any given day. Even during Covid when people were not suppose to be in NH unless they quarentined there was traffic along the entire highway.

Must see!

By Robin S |

Even though it was overcast and slight drizzle, It was still amazing. My husband and I were in awe at the colors and views.

Scenic Views

By rnicke01451 |

We drove this scenic route in early October. There are many areas to pull off the road and enjoy the fabulous views.

Seduced by the gorgeous scenery

By ColchesterTourist |

A beautiful and amazing drive, with some of the most gorgeous views you will ever see. My wife and I, along with our two teenage boys recently spent the day driving the Kancamagus Highway in both directions, stopping off at various points to take in the scenic views, gorges, waterfalls, historic buildings and bridges. We originally had planned to drive along it and then head to one of the gorges over near Lincoln, but once on the Kancamagus Highway that plan went out of the window, as we were totally seduced by the surroundings.

There are also plenty of hiking trails, which I would love to go back to in the future to explore.

If you are into getting into the water there are ample opportunities to go into the rivers (sign posted) so ensure you take towels and swimwear.

Do note you need to pay a daily fee to use the National Park's car parks, this is a one off fee, currently five dollars, which can be paid via a trust envelope or via a website. Phone reception is not great along the highway, so I would recommend taking a five dollar bill to pay in the first car park you stop at..

Use Caution, and Designate a Driver

By PaleoGypsy |

While the Kancamagus Highway is a beautiful, scenic byway, use safety precautions when traveling. You will be sharing the road with cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, RVers, sports car enthusiasts, moose, deer, and other wildlife creatures, etc. In many areas, there is barely a shoulder, and the turns to the scenic lookouts come up very quickly. So, designate a driver who is going to fully concentrate on the nuances of the road. Whenever possible, take turns driving so that the other person may look at the scenery. As the day turns to dusk, the cast shadows from the trees will camouflage the dark silhouettes of elite cycling athletes, moose and deer. Inevitably, there will be aggressive motorists traveling behind you, pushing you to dangerously exceed the speed limit so that may travel who-knows-where.
Some of the stops require the payment of a $5.00 Recreational Pass. Have exact change and a pen to complete the envelope. During the period of Covid-19, some of the lavatory facilities are closed. Cellular service is limited. This is a beautiful part of the United States. If you choose to experience it, take the time to enjoy it.

Very pretty drive

By Northern_Traveler00 |

Drove the length of the Kanc last weekend. Beautiful drive, wish there were more places to pull over. The scenic overlooks are a bit overgrown. Lots of traffic for the first mile or two near 93, but then it gets more open past Loon.

Very Scenic

By Joe L |

Several good pull-offs for photo ops of the White Mountains. Plenty of hiking trails for day and overnight trips, along with the vistas. Lots of history in this National Forest. Would like to spend more time in the park the next visit.

It's the Kancamagus Highway

By slalemand |

I / we have driven this highway A LOT over the years, and it is an outstanding drive . . . in the area. read views on twisty roads that go up about 1900' or so I believe. From Conway, NH to Lincoln / Woodstock then down to Littleton (or continue on to Vermont, or over to Concord) the roads will take you wherever you want to go, and none are bad.

It is NOT our favorite road like this, that would be Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway, but this is a close second.

This time was just after a 3-5 snow event (they called it a storm . . really?), and the tress were snow covered and simply beautiful. And the roads were well maintained so the drive was easy and not at all nerve racking.

Too Much Traffic on Weekends

By Kristen M |

We went yesterday - a beautiful Saturday afternoon in early October. We arrived at the Concord side around 2:45 and didn’t get to the highway in Lincoln until 6:15. At first the traffic wasn’t bad but it was pretty backed up after we went around the hairpin turn. (You can see it if you look at the map. The turn is about 10-11 miles from the highway). We sat in traffic for about 3 hours at the end - not a joke or exaggeration! The views were beautiful but I would not recommend going on a weekend if you are looking for a quick, beautiful drive. The traffic kinda ruined it for us.

A great drive with great walks especially out of season

By Herb M |

We returned to the Kancamagus Highway in late April for some good walking, and we had good weather for 3/4 days. We stopped at the Ranger station near Conway, and got recommendations on some easier walks. I strongly recommend doing that because there are too many choices of walks and trails, from easy to very difficult. We especially liked the riverside locations and Sabbaday Falls. We spent parts of two days here. Don't rush it, plan on at least a full day or break it into multiple days. There is more to see on the Conway end of the Highway. You can come in high season, but expect big crowds.

Say No to The Kancamangus Scenic Byway.

By Shannon S |

Do NOT waste your time!! It was bumper to bumper traffic & it took us three times the amount of time to finish it. Once you get on there’s no getting off until the end. None of the “scenic overviews” were worth the hassle of going 5MPh for 3+hours. There is beauty everywhere in New Hampshire & Vermont. Don’t get caught in this tourist trap!

Kancamagus Highway

By Roving826779 |

Beautiful drive with some places to stop along the way. This was the main place we were able to see some fall color in mid-September.

Beautiful!

By Beth G |

Gorgeous fall drive along this highway. Great river views, lots of pull offs and hiking trails. Definitely worth your time

Beautiful

By Eileen S |

It’s always a beautiful ride on the Kancamagus, no matter when you go. I just wish that the piles of snow in the scenic view area were dealt with better so I could actually see over them. Having a leg injury, I could not climb up.

Breathtaking views during the Indian Summer

By Brighton45 |

This is a wonderful scenic route offering some magnificent views. It offers beautiful vistas during the Indian Summer and is highly recommended.

SPECTACULAR LEAF PEEPING DRIVE - TURN-OFFS, GORGEOUS

By Carla F |

We got the audible GPS that describes high points and history, and where to turn off to see magnificent views. We were there in early-mid October ‘22 and it was “peak” season— more magnificent than we could ever imagine. There are covered bridges, waterfalls, spectacular scenery. SO glad we drove this. Colors were vibrantly indescribable on both sides of highway, with some canopy leaves over you, and all around. Safe, well maintained highway. GO!!!

Beatiful

By Robert Camper |

This week we drove both ways on it, (over and back), and it is a a beautiful drive. About 40 miles through the national forest. Lots of places to pull over, even in the winter. Very light traffic in the winter, as weather can be bad, but views are amazing.

Spectacular Mountain Scenery

By Sue C. |

Beautiful drive from Jackson to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Take your time and enjoy all the vistas. We stopped when ever we could. The mountains are spectacular and there are plenty of hiking trails along the way.

Not so colorful this trip.

By NHjo |

I drove the 'Kanc' on my usual October route to my Franconia inn and this year the red and orange foliage colors were practically nonexistent on the mountainsides, except for a few pockets of bright color along the roadway. Due to the horrible drought the area had, the peak foliage was a few weeks early (it's usually the first week of October), and a lot of the leaves fell. I heard the colors were muted even during peak. There were a lot of disappointed tourists. However, the Kanc is still a beautiful highway with some great views, lookouts, historic sites, and hikes.

A picturesque roadway through the White mountains.

By karen h |

This beautiful scenic byway has so much to see along the way. It’s a perfect way to experience the White Mountains and rivers. Whether you hike long distances or not, there is lots to do.

Unexpected disappointment

By Budawang1 |

Be aware, if you plan a trip early oct weekend late afternoon, please accept the fact you would be likely to be stuck in traffic for 3 hours. I’m talking about last 10 miles to Lincoln if you drive from conway. The traffic is as terrible as it could be. Cars completely stop for 10min at some points. You would be likely to miss your dinner plan or chance to see other scenic overlooks along the way.

Leaf peeping

By cheryl3775 |

Absolutely gorgeous! Might have been a week late for peak color but it was still beautiful. Traffic was minimal, the weather was awesome. Utilized a couple overlooks for pictures. But my best picture came from a random stop closer to the Conway side on the Swift River.

heaven

By Awara Gumakkad |

"One of the best expierence of life".
People living in USA should never miss this.
I want to visit the place every year. Its bit far for us but still we will try again to go.

Enjoyable drive

By Melanie N |

Even though we visited on a rainy Columbus holiday weekend you can’t beat the beauty that Mother Nature provides. Our 35 mile drive through the White Mountain National Forest was very peaceful. We began our route at the Saco Ranger Office. There we found a self-service pay station. A $5.00 per vehicle card can be purchased to be displayed on your dashboard while parking in the area. Despite the drizzle I really enjoyed walking around the lower falls along the Swift River and visiting the Franconia Falls Trail.

Wow, What a Beautiful Ride

By Robert L |

Wish we had had more time - could easily take a whole day to truly explore and take in the stunning views on this stretch of one of the most beautiful roads in the USA.

Always amazing

By Gayle F |

Showed a friend who has never been the beautiful river and rocks and of course always bring my touristy friends to Sabbaday Falls. Just astoundingly beautiful!

Pretty good!

By Cindy H |

One of the highways we took on our 7-state fall leaf peeping road trip. It's an easy drive and depending on the time of year you go, even if you are a week passed the prime time of leaf turning, it's still beautiful.

A must-do

By yalibrarian |

I can't see how you couldn't take this beautiful stretch of highway. It connects all the must-sees of the White Mountains: Crawford and Pinkham Notch with Franconian State Park, the Basin, and the Flume Gorge. It's a two-lane highway that takes you from Lincoln to Conway or vice-versa. In the fall, it is lovely with the fall colors (albeit not as pretty as the Franconian Notch) and there are observation points and trailheads about every quarter mile along the drive. We were in a hurry that morning, so we only stopped at Lower Falls (a must see for young and old) and C.L. Graham Wanghan overlook and Pemisgewasset overlook. Learn from my mistake and try to fit in at least a short hike (i.e., Lovequist Loop, Boulder Loop, Sabbaday Falls).

Just drive it

By Mark C |

So many beautiful spots along the Kancamagus Highway to either simply take in the view or take photos. We did both

Great Time of Year for this Ride

By Rowena H |

It was a very pleasant ride this time of year. There was very little traffic, so getting in and out of the scenic spots was not stressful. The mountain views were wonderful.

Plan Accordingly!!! During Peak Season.

By Kelly V |

The only reason I gave this an average report, is because it was past peak season- When in peak, its probably beautiful. We drove from NY where we were not in peak season yet, drove through VT which was in peak and beautiful, and then through NH where it was actually past peak. We are not avid leaf followers so we should have done our homework. We read that peak season this year in NH where Kanc Highway is located was late September. We traveled from the beginning of 112, and once we hit Lincoln headed towards Conway it was bumper to bumper traffic, since we missed peak season we headed to ME via the main highways. I bet it is a 5 when peak. We did hit some great flea markets and vintage sales as it was Columbus Day weekend, so it was well worth the ride.

Gourmet grilled cheese and breathtaking countryside

By Jean B |

Best part was hiking by a beautiful covered bridge and having an artisan grilled cheese experience on the first part of the Kancamagus!

Wonderful drive!

By PasitaNH |

We had a wonder drive! We loved it! We really enjoy and our teenager really liked it!!!
It is important to say that today is the third week of October, and by now some trees have lost their leaves! One or two weeks before today must have been even nicer!
We loved it!! Is a must!

Lives up to its reputation in the fall.

By ProMetalSales |

This is just one beautiful drive in the fall, a fair amount of traffic but the colors are just stunning and vistas amazing. It lives up to its reputation as a must drive, at least in the fall for leaf peeping.

Great views and photo opportunities

By Ian |

A fabulous drive from North Conway to Lincoln.
Allow for lots of stops to take in the views and photo opportunities.
Really memorable

Great drive for all seasons!!

By Kristin C |

There are tons of spots to stop and visit along this highway. Lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, picnic areas, camping areas,, scenic view spots, fishing spots, and swimming areas. Definitely a must do if in New Hampshire. There are no gas stations along the route, so make sure you have plenty of gas in the tank. There is also no cellphone service, so make sure you let people know where you will be when visiting that area and have reliable transportation. The road is steep and curvy most of the time. Wild life including moose, deer, Black bears, etc. are very possible to see while driving on this highway. Highly recommend doing this drive if you have the chance.

Go by way of The Kanc

By MPWheart |

Amazing views and scenic bypass! It’s been on my bucket list for a while and exceeded my expectations. And the traffic was not bad at all!! But, we did start at 9:30 AM from N. Conway. The leaves had to be at peak season!!

A beautiful drive

By LisaMNUSA |

It was raining/ cloudy, The drive was still beautiful. We stopped for two water falls and some look out for fall colors and Mountain View’s along the way. We hiked the boulder loop trail, since it was cloudy, the visibility was very low on the top, but it was a good workout.

A Winter Wonderland

By JBH |

The road is bumpy but the views you see you will never forget. This trip was winter which transforms the trees into a spearmint forest. If you are a lover of back road driving. You'll want to take this trip

Beautiful fall colors

By Popper |

An absolutely beautiful drive in the fall. Nothing like it. Colors are so amazing they almost look fake. It takes a while because of traffic (at least the weekend we were there) - but worth every minute.

Wow

By missouth65 |

Wow absolutely gorgeous. I can’t wait to come back when the weather is warmer to check out more of the area.

Even in the Rain

By Eileen F. |

The scenery is breathtaking. It was pouring rain when we visited and it was still amazing. This year's drought allows you the to see the rock formations underneath the falls. Looking up at the mountains helps you appreciate the gift of being in New Hampshire.

Gorgeous Highway with lots of scenic spots

By siddy666 |

This is a must if visiting the White Mountains area of New Hampshire.
Fun for all ages, enjoy the drive, lookout points, treks, and waterfalls

Plan at least 2-3 hours for properly visiting the area

I went in August but can only imagine how more beautiful it must be when the leaves change color

Very pretty drive

By RYC88 |

It's a lovely drive and I'm sure it's amazing in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, most of the overlook areas are closed due to snow and so you miss out on the views. Still, it's a very nice drive through the mountains and there is always the possibility of seeing wildlife, so keep an eye out.

Bear Notch Rd from Bartlett to Kancamagus Hwy

By chg0girl |

The best part of our drive was the 302 from North Conway to Bartlett then we drove south on Bear Notch Road to Kancamagus today Tuesday Oct. 6. The north south road --Bear Notch rd driving south from Bartlett was spectacular! Actually the Kancamagus hwy was ok but just ok compared to this road. It is a must see! No traffic. We stumbled upon it in the park.

More than just a highway

By LaVa Touristik |

Route 112 (NH 112) is a 56-mile-long state highway through the mountainous White Mountain National Forest in northern New Hampshire. The highway connects Bath with Conway and the eastern part of NH 112 (32 miles long) is known as the Kancamagus Highway. It is a so-called "scenic byway" because it offers many opportunities to stop and take a short hike or chill out in the evening sun at the Lower Falls.

Beautiful Winter Wonderland

By Patcypatri |

If you have a chance to visit this highway you definitely should! The view was breathtaking. We went during winter and everything was covered in snow. Just beautiful.

A must do for fall foliage

By Michael K |

This is one of the best places for viewing fall foliage. The speed limit is 40, making it less dangerous to make a stop at one of the many turn-outs along the highway to explore the area. Most of the turn-outs are on the north side of the highway. So it is easier to make right turns into the viewing area if you traverse the highway from east to west or in other words, from Conway to Lincoln. If you do travel from east to west, if is better to do so in the morning so the sun is behind you instead of having to look at the sun when you drive.

Amazing

By NPT1975 |

Take the time and drive this highway. About 27 miles. Very scenic with many stops for views and sight seeing. Many many hiking trails and campgrounds. Campgrounds are seasonal. Have your camera ready and dress warm. It does get very windy up there and was very cold.

A MUST DO!

By JGM418 |

Beautiful drive from Conway to Lincoln you must do if in the area! As suggested by a very helpful staff member an a info stop, you must get out at Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Sugar Hill and Loon Mountain. Some trails in are shorter than others. All are worth seeing.

Great views to see fall colors

By Sarsprdoc |

Season a little late this year so leaves not peak. Drove to summit and there are 4 parking areas to view distant valleys and mountains. Geologic educational plaques at some of the viewing stops. 25 mile round trip out of Lincoln to see all the stops near summit on good road less than 10% grade. . No gas stations not a problem unless you leave on E. You do have to stop for views as minimal from road while driving. Wouldn’t do it in summer but last weekend in September/first in October usually peak colors depending on weather. Next weekend will probably peak this year.

Panoramic road through the White Mountains

By German_Addick |

New Hampshire Highway 112 offers beautiful scenery and interesting points to stop and enjoy. These are the Albany Covered Bridge, a beautiful covered wooden bridge from the 19th century. The Lower Falls and Sabbaday Falls, where we made longer stops. In addition, there are parking bays at beautiful panoramic viewpoints. In some places, a daytime parking ticket must be pulled at the price of $5 per car, which then applies to the entire White Mountains.

Breathe

By Joanne G |

My favorite place! On a beautiful Fall day, it’s spectacular. You can truly feel the clean air. We also road Bear Notch road off of the Kanc.

Nice drive

By TravelingBum10 |

Nice drive with several overlooks, hiking trails and waterfalls. A must do if you’re in the area. In the lower falls area you can relax, have a picnic and get wet in the river.

Enjoyed it but not the WOW factor I was expecting

By Mitchell S |

The buildup for this drive was considerable. Did not quite meet my high expectations. Very crowded which is to be expected in October though leaves were way past peak.

OOOH and AWES!!!

By 161KarenF |

We went just 2 weeks ago, and the trees were just awesomely beautiful. We went from Conway to Lincoln and all we could say is ooh and awes. We stopped at park and enjoyed being able to go out onto the boulders of the river to take in all the beauty that Mother Nature has given us. It is worth the time and trip!

An Autumn Must!

By Tamba5 |

A must in early October! The colors were beautiful, even in the rain!

Stop by all the historic markers. There is great history along the way.

You don't need to stop at all the pull offs, pick and choose along the way.

We saw two beautiful waterfalls.

After starting in Lincoln, when we reached the end the Kancamagus Hwy we took Rte 3 back from Conway to Lincoln which was really beautiful with cool stops along the way.

Beautiful Fall Drive

By moodblu |

The Kancamagus Scenic Highway was the route our recent New England tour took to get from Whitefield NH to the Conway Scenic Railroad. It was very beautiful with fall colors that we don’t have at home in Utah. The trees come right down to the curving mountain road, so I was not able to get very good pictures through bus windows, but was quite beautiful to see. Our bus stopped a couple times along the way for us to stretch our legs and take pictures and breathe in the nice fall air. This leg of our trip was very worthwhile.

Lovely anytime of the year!

By Cathy F |

Spectacular views driving through this route. During the winter, be very careful of ice on the road.

Spectular!!

By Disneyrunner2015 |

Well worth a drive to see this amazing area. Lots of stops with parking areas to see the sites. Some do have a parking fee, so keep that in mind. No cell service for a big chunk of the ride so preload your map!! Bring cash as some of the stops pay by putting money in an evelope.

Lovely

By Rijamon |

Take your time and stop frequently. Work in a hike (we did the 3 mile Loop hike). Well worth the drive.

The Best Part of Our Vacation!

By Amy D |

We planned a fall foliage trip in New Hampshire and Vermont and this drive was THE BEST part of the trip. If you look up the name, you will find a lot of info online about all of the places to stop along the way. We did it "backwards" from North Conway to the west end of it (I forget the name of the town), stopping at 10 places along the way. The color was already gorgeous on September 29th, and each stop had it's unique beauty and photo opportunities. It was not as crowded as we expected. Parking was never a problem, and there are "out-houses" at every stop. Bring some extra tissues because the "out-houses" are not always stocked with toilet paper. We bought sandwiches at a general store before we left so we had lunch for a picnic at one of the stops, and also packed a cooler of drinks. I am not attaching photos because I took so many and all were gorgeous. I highly recommend this drive!

Some stunning views but I prefer the 302 route to the North

By GAlsager |

There are some simply stunning views on this route and it is an amazing route to drive with plenty of stop off points along the way to enjoy. I've driven the 100 mile loop twice and I prefer the Northern part which has more places to stop. Best to do the complete loop which can easily be done within a day with some stops but probably even better if you could do it over a couple of days and have the time to really enjoy the various stops along the way.

I have driven it in the height of Summer and late October and I just need to try get back in the height of the fall but at least the roads and sites are very quiet late October and I'm sure every season has its advantages - definitely somewhere I'd love to keep visiting.

Beautiful Autumn Drive

By Have Camera, Will Travel |

The drive was beautiful with the fall colors. We stopped at half a dozen points of interest along the way. The river is full of boulders, which makes for some great pictures. The Albany Covered Bridge is a must stop. Lower Falls was pretty good. Time constraints prevented a few major ones. This is easily a full day drive if you hike around a bit.

Truly amazing drive!

By alison |

This is a very beautiful part of the country. Very peaceful and lots of nature. There are plenty of places to pull off and go for small hikes or you can just sit back and enjoy the drive. The road can be a bit windy and slow going at times, but it just allows the passengers to really take in the amazing views.

Worth the trip

By Mike H |

Beauty colors abs scenario. Trails varied but there was enough easy trails for us and tough trails for other.
There is nothing like the beauty in the mountains in the fall

Go on a weekday for best experience

By Andrea F |

We went on a Tuesday from Conway West. We downloaded the Action Tour Guide app ($15) ahead of time which narrates your trip based on GPS coordinates and recommends stops. The Sabbaday Falls was a highlight for us. It's just a short .3 mile hike to see very scenic waterfalls. Park on the side of the road if the lot is full. Be sure to use your Parks pass or buy a day pass ($5) as rangers were out writing tickets at the Covered Bridge stop. The Swift River is low this time of year but the fall color was fantastic.

Just Awesome

By Tripper4Life |

We made this drive during leaf peeping season. It was awesome. We made the drive from west to east and I think that added quite a bit of time to the drive. A lot of the stops were on our side of the road and there were a lot cars making the drive and a lot of cars and people stopping and causing a traffic jam. The wait was considerable at some spots. Many cars turned around and gave up. If I were to do it again, I would try from East to West. The views were great, no matter how you slice it.

Not to be missed!!!

By Diane W |

We drove on Kamcamagus Highway on Oct. 11 and it was mind blowing. I practically had the camera plastered to my eye. The range of colors - reds, yellows, oranges, with pops of green were just magnificent mile after mile after mile. The sun even cooperated and it couldn't have been better. Really checked off my bucket list in grand fashion 😊

Great views

By Lucas W |

Take your time and enjoy the ride. Drive at speed limit and stop at the sights. It's fun and enjoyable.

A Must!

By gypsili |

Go! It’s beautiful! 😀 Relax at the stops along the way and hang out at the river and cool off. The sites and smells will rejuvenate your soul.

Beautiful drive

By Jo Ann B |

Took this route from Vermont to Conway, NH. Such a beautiful drive. Lots of trails and stops along the way.

If you were there during the peak fall colors, it would be amazing!

Glorious Drive!

By PhlegmMaster |

My wife and I drove the 35 miles from Lincoln to Conway, NH along NH-112, which is the Kancamagus Highway.

Magnificent!!

One awesome view after another, although if seeing the natural, colorful wonder of fall foliage isn't your thing, then I suppose it'll be just a drive from point A to point B for you.

There are multiple places to pull over (parking may be limited) and go for a hike.

Enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous swath through New Hampshire!

Majestic and beautiful

By Bill C |

We rented a 3 Bedroom condo in Glen, originally to take our grandkids for a few days. It turned out they couldn't make it. Just gramma and grandpa and the dog. The condo was about 50 yards away from a river,(a tributary of the Ellis River?). We sat on the rocks and put our tootsies in. Still cold in August! We took a number of short ,easy hikes. I love the White Mountains! So majestic and beautiful, as are the surrounding woods and waterways! I think nature is so wonderful and this is a great place to see. Most trails were dog friendly. Went out to a great little restaurant and tavern in Jackson, called the Wildcat. We sat in the lounge,eating wonderfully prepared food and listening to live music.

Kancamagus highway review

By eqkmo |

Simply the best way to drive through the fall and appreciate the fall colours - you can get trains which may have better views, but if you want to drive then you have to go down this road.
Warning - if you go in Autumn, you will take lots of photos!

Ever so scenic

By therese l |

Indeed it is a scenic highway, or it was until the point were the low hanging clouds covered the roadway and we could barely see 10 feet in front of us. We enjoyed the drive before and after that, though, and had a calming walk to the rocky gorge.

What a ride

By KevinsGirls |

This highway is a great ride. The views of the mountains are amazing. All different trails are well posted on the highway. There are also many scenic pull offs to admire the views and take photos. This is a must see!

Great day drive!

By MovementandLocation |

Just drove through and made only a few stops at some scenic overlooks, still, a beautiful drive. There are some pops of color, creating an ethereal yellow gold canopy. Much beauty to behold, and I look forward to many return visits to fully explore the area. No matter which side you enter or leave on, you'll find magic in the mountains.

POPULAR DESTINATION FOR FALL FOLIAGE VIEWING

By Maurene_K |

Over the years, I’ve driven and been driven on the 34+ mile long Kancamagus Highway. It’s one of my favorite places to see the most colorful, stunning fall foliage New Hampshire has to offer.

Around each curve, a new scenic vista appears. Most of the time the views are of trees; however, since the highway runs beside the Swift River, one also gets views of the water flowing over the rocky riverbed in a number of places. This year, the flow was greatly reduced due to extreme drought.

Driving The Kanc is very relaxing. I don’t recall ever seeing a utility pole on the side of the highway.

This year, I was fortunate enough to have time to visit during the approaching peak of colors. There were vivid yellows, a few bright, rich reds, and some oranges.

My drive began from The Kanc’s junction with Rt. 16 in Conway. Along the route, I made two stops. I visited the White Mountain National Forest and Albany Covered Bridge.

I rate the Kancamagus Highway at 5.0 and highly recommend a visit.

If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.

Beautiful drive with spectacular autumn views

By grahamd00dy |

Road winds its way through lovely countryside and many pull offs to view the hills and colourful tree lined slopes. Busy at first on a two way road but traffic reduced as got further from Conway. Passes a number of covered bridges along the way which are also worth stopping to see.

Quite a few places to visit along this highway

By tinaNtravel |

I highly recommend driving the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains. We started at Conway and stopped at pretty much all the scenic spots along the drive. Each one was well worth the stop. In some places, you just pull over and get out, look at the scenery, take a few pics and drive on. In other places, you park and walk a bit to see the site, for example The Gorge. I am told the entire area is spectacular in the fall with all the colors. Looking forward to coming back at that time.

June travels on the Kancamagus Trail

By BigDaddyWied |

We traveled along the trail in June during a heatwave. As the driver, I could not see all of the views and maintain safety on the road. Our journey started in Lincoln, NH, and there are many areas to stop and take pictures or enjoy the beauty of creation. Bring a map if you want to hike, there are several trails where you can stop to hike. If you plan to stay at any of the official stops, purchase a pass for $5. The ranger's office is on the Conway, NH [east] side of the trail, but bring a $5 bill, and you can self pay at any of the sites. If you time your trip correctly, an autumn drive along the trail would be amazingly colorful. After the tour, we drove to downtown North Conway and walked around the small retail/ dining area. There are also outlets in North Conway if you would like to shop as well.

Tossing the dice.

By NHjo |

This was probably the most disappointing drive on the 'Kanc' since the time it snowed in the middle of July decades ago. The foliage was near peak but very dull, due to all the rain this summer. There were a few pockets of bright color but that was it. There was also a lot of haze from the Canadian wildfires. The colors were so muted that I didn't even stop anywhere or take photos -- just drove right through. (I've been there dozens of times, though, unlike a lot of tourists). Last year I was lucky enough to hit it at full peak during normal crisp and cool fall weather when the colors were brilliant. But -- it's a gorgeous drive whether it's peak foliage or not.

Nature lovers highway, plenty of stops to view and enjoy

By alex s |

When in the area a must do, please take your time as there is plenty of things to see. I suggest to get a map or some points of interest to stop and enjoy nature

Great Views

By stephenskier123 |

Fantastic views all along this highway. We visited in the Fall when it was at it's most spectacular. Lots of different places to stop to get some great photos.

Stunning!!!

Beautiful Fall drive

By lizzy w |

thought to be the most scenic road in New England in October.
Plan on it being crowded with lots of sightseer's

Words alone cannot do it justice

By dnewman1156 |

My wife and I booked a New England Fall Foliage tour through a company we normally use for our guided overseas tours. The “K” highway was our focal point for the entire 9-day trip.

As the title of this review mentioned, words alone cannot describe the views in autumn. If you are lucky enough to experience this beautiful 34 mile drive in the peak autumn timeframe, we recommend having a driver (or tour group) so your entire family can enjoy the views!

Very good road, amazing views!!

By cabbage57 |

we drove through twice, because firs time we had heavy rain so
we decided to drive 2 days later, when we could stop in several places and spent time to take photos and go for walks. In each stops there are toilets.

Tips for Stops on the KANC

By Chuck2010 |

This year the colors are peaking
about a week later due to temps and waterfall
Normally the week after Oct 1 is best but this year
the week of October 10 is outstanding

KANCAMAGUS Scenic Route 112
11 great Stops Photo and Scenic
All Well marked

*(Saco River Covered Bridge (RT 16)
Beginning in Conway: Mile marker 0
Albany Covered Bridge (6.1 miles), Lower Falls (6.8 miles)
Rocky Gorge (9.0 miles) Russel Colbath House (12.5 miles)
Sabbaday Falls (15.4 miles) Sugar Hill Overlook (17 miles),
CL Graham Overlook (21 miles Kancamagus Pass (22 miles)

Fun and easy drive on the Kancamagus Highway.

By LMJTravels |

There are many places to stop for views, picnics, stream wading, or hiking between North Conway and Lincoln, NH

Beautiful in October!

By Paul G |

Early October is peak time for foliage...this drive didn't disappoint! Even better to take off up the notches to the north...looking forward to next visit!

Best $5 spent!

By TLC |

This was a wonderful surprise for my husband and I. It was a beautiful day and for the $5 park fee, which works for all of the stops, it was so nice! I don’t know if everyone pays the fee, but it really is a wonderful way to say thank you to those that care for the parks. The maintenance is wonderful.
We saw so many beautiful sights, waterfalls, brooks, landscapes, etc. I was just expecting a nice drive. It was also COVID friendly in that you could be distanced. We loved this so much!

Kancamagus Highway

By zeefam |

We drove along this highway at the perfect time of year. There were so many beautiful overlooks. Be sure to walk back to the waterfalls, creeks, etc. We really enjoyed this scenic highway. We spent about three hours.

White mountains Kancamagus highway was amazing

By Helga K |

We took the self guided driving tour of the white mountains Kancamagus highway and we couldn't be happier! It was an app that took us to all the sight seeing spots and told the history of the area- it was great!

Stunning

By MissL219 |

We drove the highway as part of our fall trip and it was simply stunning. There are lots of little areas you can pull over and take pictures. We had a great time doing this.

Beautiful especially during foliage

By Nellie L |

You can’t go wrong taking a drive along this beautiful roadway. You can bring a picnic lunch and stop at one of the many picnic spots and just enjoy the beauty

Superb drive

By stormtwig |

We had the perfect weather for our trip, the colours were spectacular and we really enjoyed the trip. Viewpoints a bit crowded but to be expected I suppose, weekends will be horrendous.

awesome

By Alisa |

a wonderful drive, nice pull off to wade in the river. Lots of hiking opportunities. The road is perfectly kept

Lovely!!

By Nettie2010 |

My goodness, what a beautiful stretch of scenic highway, especially this time of year! Our other favorite portion of the White Mountain Trail was between Crawford Notch and North Conway.

Wow !

By Astrid G |

This is my second time driving through this his highway. Last time it was during a snowstorm pretty much. Last week it was beautiful. We stopped so many times to walk around and take pictures. My family loved it. I want to go back during the fall when the trees are changing colors.

Just went back after 20 year absence

By Jay H |

Went 20 years or so ago with my friends after graduating college. Took this trip back with the family. Wished it was later so we can see the foliage but it was as beautiful as I remembered. Will definitely make the trip back.
My advice for warmer weather. Start on either end (Lincoln or Conway) for late breakfast/brunch. Get a coffee and maybe a light picnic lunch and drive in. Bring swimsuits and change of clothes. Stop often and jump in the numerous swimming holes or vantage points. Take your time and lots of photos. Finish on other end. Grab early dinner and do the drive back through it at dusk. Best time to spot a moose.

Beautiful drive in the New Hampshire mountains.

By Bruce B |

Take this drive to experience the beautiful New Hampshire White Mountains - especially during the fall foliage season. Definitely stop and check out some covered bridges and hikes to waterfalls along the way.

Beautiful drive

By Debbra P |

We drove the length of the Kancamagus from North Conway to Lincoln and then back to North Conway. The drive is relaxing with gorgeous views and numerous pull out opportunities. We took advantage of several of the hiking trails also. We hiked to Sabbaday Falls. The falls were beautiful and the hike was not strenuous. We visited the Russell-Colbath house and walked the interpretative trail. The trail was a very easy hike and there was an abundance of information along the trail about the area. The house was open for touring and a hostess was making gingerbread in the fireplace oven. She presented information about the house, the family and the antique implements within the house. We visited Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge and hiked a short trail there to a beautiful pond. The gorgeous views with colorful fall foliage and numerous hiking trails were very enjoyable.

Unique scenery and a beautiful river course invite you to stop again and again.

By Ernst_57 |

The Kancamagus Highway has to be driven rather than Mount Washington. In autumn you stumble from one optical highlight to the next. An impressive landscape that one thinks back to for a long time.

A Fantastic Drive Through The Mountains

By Peter Z. |

A fantastic drive through the lower White Mountains region. I actually drove it two times on consecutive days. Beautiful views and panoramas. Definitely worth the 35 miles from Conway to Lincoln. In my opinion, the best times to drive the Kancamagus is just after sunrise and an hour or so before sunset. These are the best times of the day to spot moose, bear, deer and other animals in the area. Note that there are no services so make sure you gas up before leaving.

Picnic area abound

By Annemarie M |

Fun day in the White Mountains. We took the highway from the visitor center to Conway and stopped 6 times with 2 short hikes. We are glad we brought lunch, no food or drinks on the highway. There were nicely positioned picnic tables. It was a great way to see the White Mountains.

Wonderful way to see the Fall Foliage at your pace.

By Suzanne C |

If you want to see the fall foliage, this is the way to go. Lots of places to stop and take pictures. Bathrooms available at the campgrounds. Stopped at a few falls, but due to the drought, they were just a trickle.

A FABULOUS DRIVE BUT WHAT ABOUT NH - 302 ?

By Steven L |

My wife and I had heard a lot about the beauty of the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and included a ride on it during a late September trip to North Conway. It lived up to expectations in terms of vistas and foliage.
But , the following day we drove NH - 302 from North Conway to Mount Washington and back and felt the views were even more impressive.
Both roads are well maintained with places to pull over to take photos.

Leaf Peeping on steroids

By iTraveltheworld195 |

OMG, so amazingly beautiful. We drove part of this highway the first week of October and saw the most amazing scenes. Babbling brooks, mountain vistas, electric leaf colors and large and small waterfalls. Even the small distance we drove we saw so much.

Do make sure to allow time to pull off and walk a bit to see the best views.

You must pay to park in pulls offs. It is an honor system so please don't cheat our National Parks.

New Hampshire at its finest!

By Joe P |

Coming home from a stay in New Hampshire back to Rhode Island, we decided to take the more scenic Kancamangus Highway. It was the best decision we made. There were many stops we could have taken. We did 2 Stops. The first was the best one, Lower Falls which features the Swift River, with waterfalls, rocks and rapids. Walking on the rocks is an absolute thrill. Nature never looked so beautiful. The other stop was Sugar Bush Hill. If you were going to New Hampshire to see the change of colors, you will never see an example more breathtaking than here. Truly spectacular!

Beautiful foliage!

By Bellinghamster64 |

We drove over the Kanc and back to view the fall foliage. It was really beautiful! The colors were vibrant. While there were many people at the pull outs, we were always able to get a parking spot as someone was usually leaving. There are beautiful spots even pulling off the side of the road.

very scenic

By Dorothy W |

Beautiful drive - easy and easy accesibility to take pictures A 3 hour drive - can not get lost. Lots os histotical sites

Lovely drive and be prepared to stop for many different activities

By Kaustav M |

The entire length of the highway is strewn with scenic overlooks, hiking trails and swimming spots in the river. It was beautiful in the Summer and can only imagine how gorgeous it would be in the Fall. We spent an evening just driving for a bit and then just parked and headed into the Saco river. Rocky and sandy and shallow enough for kids and adults to safely have a quiet fun time

Beautiful, Scenic Highway

By Eric D |

We did the Kancamagus Highway in May of 2023. You could easily spend several days stopping at the different spots and hiking to various locations. We only had about four hours before it got dark. We left our hotel in Lincoln, NH and drove up the road and trying to hit the hot spots that we found online. We didn't have time to do much hiking, but there are close spots with scenic views and waterfalls. Beautiful part of the United States.

Must-go place in NH for foliage sightseeing

By Michael Z |

Well, it is my second time to drive on this scenic highway. Last time I was on this road was exactly 2 years ago today; however, the foliage color is quite different. This year due to dry and warm weather, the leaves turned yellow earlier and dropping off faster than usual. It is only the second weekend of October the color is almost nonexistent, but nevertheless it is still quite a great experience. Anyone who wants to visit this famous highway for fall leaves peeking, you should definitely check the foliage forecast before you plan for the trip. Parking is also quite difficult in many scenic spots, you just have to be patient and you will be able to find a spot eventually. This is a must-go place for the fall foliage sightseeing.

Delightful Drive

By Rosemary N |

Always a beautiful drive even in the winter. This time we started at the Conway end. Went all the way to Lincoln and then back. Be sure to stop at the ranger station

Picturesque!

By Becky H |

We were on a motorcycle trip through NE, and this was a highlight. We enjoyed it so much, we rode through twice. We stopped at a little general store at the beginning of the road, and the proprietor fixed us a delicious turkey sandwich for lunch. Then we were on our way. Beautiful scenery and some wild turkeys along the roadside. Great views along the way. We also took advantage of a couple of places along the road to hike a short trail to see some pretty waterfalls.

Beautiful leisure drive!

By seasideljs |

This is a beautiful drive in the fall. It is a two-lane Highway with lots of pull-offs for hiking, viewing scenery, seeing waterfalls, etc. There are no gas stations but it’s only about 35 miles. There are no shops or restaurants, but there are beautiful riverside picnic areas! This is a free must do in my book!

Peak foliage on the Kanc in early October.

By NHjo |

I took the 'Kanc' on my way to Franconia in early October. It was a gorgeous day (it felt more like August) and the foliage was beautiful. I took lots of photos, several of which I posted on the Tripadvisor Kanc Highway Lookout sites (Sugar Hill, Hancock, Pemi River, etc.).

Highlight of the trip!

By Visilea |

There is nothing bad to say about this! The Highway 112 aka Kancamagus Highway from Conway to North Woodstock is just over 30 miles of nothing but pure, wonderful vistas and places to see.
Our fall foliage trip was completely made when we drove along this scenic highway in the White Mountain National Park. We took it very slow and probably upset some drivers behind us until they could pass but we did not want to miss anything. There are several stops along this drive with points of interest.
One thing that I read on many sites was that there were no bathrooms along this highway, which I did not find to be accurate. There ARE bathrooms along this route and we saw park rangers cleaning them and putting in new supplies.
The waterfalls, the river, the trees, the foliage....everything was just breathtaking. Take your time and explore this area in the fall.

Spectacular Fall Drive!

By mforkner |

This was one scenic drive that was as advertised - a MUST DO. After a stop in the Ranger station where the staff could not have been friendlier or more helpful, we set off along the Kanc. Here's an excerpt from the Kanc's website:

"The Kancamagus Scenic Byway takes you through a path cut through the White Mountain National Forest with breathtaking views of the White Mountains, the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. The Kanc takes you to an elevation of just under 3,000 feet at its highest point at Kancamagus Pass on the flank of Mt. Kancamagus near Lincoln, NH."

That tells the story better than I can - scenic lookouts along the way. Great fall color. Leisurely pace. Photos Ops everywhere. Really words don't do this justice. Swift River views, Falls. All that in under 35 miles.

We have taken many scenic drives over the years. This one more than lives up to its reputation!

We actually wound up driving a portion of it again the next day on a (fruitless, but scenic) hunt to spot moose.

Beautiful anytime of year (except winter, when it's closed).

By NHjo |

Born and raised in New Hampshire, I've driven this highway dozens of times, and it's never boring, especially in autumn. This time around, the foliage was either a little past peak or not as vibrant as other years, maybe due to the extremely hot summer weather we had (and continue to have -- it was 75 degrees at the start of Columbus Day Weekend). But, the views are always spectacular.

beautiful drive, scenery, hiking, fall colors

By Chris S |

When we visit New Hampshire we always take this drive and do a few hikes. Plenty to choose from, always something new to discover. The boulder loop and the lincoln river walk were amazing this year.

Pretty views!

By margaretf4 |

We made the trek from VT for this "must see" highway. We felt the colors this year were dull across the board, but were happy to see they were a little more vibrant in NH. The highway was moving, but there was still just a crush of people so we did about half of the highway and turned around and went back. It was a full day experience for us. I'm not convinced its "must see".

Kancamagus highway

By KennethCalif |

It's a great scenic view highway especially during the foliage autumn mid October

It's a highway 112 starting from Conway and ends in Lincoln Town. It's about 35 miles

foot print

By Mike R |

My wife and I were on Kancamagus near the first lookout with gazebo after snow and found tracks 15 1/2 long 5 inches wide , stride of about 5 feet apart.no other tracks in snow and took picture. tracks went down steep hill.

WOW - Breathtaking

By laurie2668 |

We decided to do this drive on our way back from the Flume Gorge (which is AMAZING). We stopped at quite a few of the lookouts and the views are just so beautiful. An absolute must-do on this highway is Sabbaday Falls. It is 0.3 miles in and 0.3 miles back out. Through most of the walk, you are walking beside the stream that comes down from the falls and it is so pretty. There are steps and walkways over the falls. It is beautiful and I would highly recommend it. It is uphill on the way in, but it isn't difficult, since it is so short. (We even saw a women with a broken foot in a boot doing the walk!)

Beautiful color!

By Paula S |

Color was spectacular! Not really crowded so we were able to pull over a couple of spots and get some great pictures.

Spectacular!

By Gwen W |

We loved EVERY minute we spent on this byway today. Every stop, every trail was SPECTACULAR! Take your time and drink in nature.

STUNNING!

By Jazz Gumbo |

We wanted to see this to capture the Autumn leaves in all their splendour (7th Oct) and could not have been luckier, absolutely breathtaking with so many spots to stop along the way with astonishing ease & perfect photo spots to enjoy along the route. Do not miss it!

In 2023 IF you want to see color, come another year!

By bobrusa |

Its understandable that given Tourism is the number one revenue source in the area that the entire establishment - media, hotels, webcams (they are coincidentally all "out of service") - are ALL focused on getting people IN as opposed to reporting the conditions... You spends many thousands of dollars and everyone wants it but no one wants to report facts.

Folks, its a brown out.

Stowe is past whatever color they may have had. White mountains is a blur of light brown (you have to imagine the color) and Boston is still very green. Those are the facts. Better luck in the future. On Route 89 by Croyden, there is some actual color but will be gone soon.

Beautiful drive - good fall color definitely drive it.

By Begonia33 |

We drove westward from Conway, NH to Lincoln, NH. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway takes you through a path cut through the White Mountain National Forest with views of the White Mountains, the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. The Kanc takes you to an elevation of just under 3,000 feet at its highest point at Kancamagus Pass on the flank of Mt. Kancamagus near Lincoln, NH.
Even though the fall colors were only 50%, the leaves on the Kanc were spectacular. Best we saw our entire vacation. We were real "Leaf Peepers" here. We did not see any moose, deer or other mammals wildlife, except squirrels. We were lucky, the traffic was very light.

Amazing Drive, takes you to two fun towns!

By Kelsie S |

If you're looking for scenic drive, this is the perfect one! A winding road along a river with lots of scenic overlooks, this will be fun for everyone. It is a very windy road, so don't read in the backseat!!:P On weekends, expect some traffic and full parking lots, but if you can go on a weekday, especially in the summer or the fall, you won't regret the time spent here!

New Hampshire road trip.

By Eric Carlezon |

Made this trip many times on motorcycles. This is the first time on four wheels. My wife and daughter loved it!

Best scenic route of our leaf-peeping tour in New England!

By Carolyn J |

We were traveling through New England during leaf-peeping season and decided to take the Kancamagus Highway through New Hampshire. I wasn't expecting much, as it was early in October and not time yet for peak colors. Boy was I wrong! We saw spectacular color all along the way, even if it wasn't peak yet. We enjoyed stops along the way to hike and take pictures. All in all, this was the highlight of our leaf-peeping tours and would highly recommend it!

Best drive

By Mike P |

Take a few hours and head to Lincoln, NH and take ot the awesome beauty of the Kan's Drive. You won,t be disappointed.

Beautiful drive

By BFarina |

This was absolutely the right way to go across New Hampshire. So beautiful and with access to good hiking--we did Sabbaday Falls and Diana's Baths and were not disappointed!

So much to see!

By Jenny Z |

Beautiful drive with with scenic outlooks, short hikes, history, and waterfalls.

Grab a map from either Lincoln or Conway that outlines all the stops!! Take your time and enjoy nature in this beautiful drive.

Nice drive

By Cathleen V |

I drove fron the North Country to Waterville valley. GPS took me through the kanc. Safe marked roads. Alot of places yo see. Leaves are just starting to change.

Beautiful fall foliage and bumper to bumper traffic near Lincoln

By Nihoncrab |

Beautiful fall foliage, 3hr traffic jam near Lincoln on peak weekend though. No cell coverage to make dinner reservations in the small town of Lincoln.

Beautiful drive for the whole family.

By 2_traveling_kids_Mom |

Wow, what a gorgeous drive. Of all the different national scenic byways we have driven this was the easiest to find fun beautiful places to stop and explore. I would suggest stopping at the ranger station and getting the little map so you don’t miss the pullouts. We traveled on a rainy, early summer day so we didn’t get a chance to do any of the longer hikes. But the short ones we did do were wonderful. My teens and our dog loved getting out at various places and exploring the river. Definitely want to go back on a sunny day to get all the views we missed in the clouds.

Peak foliage paradise!

By NHjo |

Another trip to the White Mountains, another drive on the 'Kanc' -- 56 miles of gorgeous scenery. I was very lucky to hit it on a 70-degree day of beautiful sunny weather during peak foliage, just before the Indigenous Peoples Weekend crowds got too busy.

So many amazing hiking trails!

By terrycr8on |

We tried several new trails on this trip: Boulder Loop, Champney Falls, Mount Potash, Lincoln Woods to Franconia Falls. I would highly recommend EACH one! Every trail was unique and special in its own right.

A Breathtaking area!

By DisneyCruisingFamily |

What a GLORIOUS Scenic Byway this IS!! If you are in the area, take the 1 1/2 hrs. to drive along this picturesque road through the White Mountain National Forest on NH Rt. 112 An abundance of trails for hiking & getting out to stretch your legs, with waterfalls , rock formations, creeks and more! Just a beautiful area of NH! DON'T miss this & be sure to stop at Sabbaday Falls & the Lower Falls! Just beautiful!

great road

By kevin d |

Incredible views. No traffic. Feels like you have the mountains for yourself. Make sure you have gas.

Greatest place on earth as far as I am concerned

By Jennifer |

Wonderful scenery, especially in the fall. 1/2 hour drive approximately that you must take slow and really enjoy the sights. lots of trails along the way you can stop at.

Beautiful New Hampshire scenic Highway

By Mary T |

My husband and I traveled the Kankamagus Highway on a sunny September afternoon from Conway, New Hampshire over to Woodstock, Vermont. We took numerous stops along the way to walk and enjoy the scenic beauty. We wish we had had a lot more time, like, the whole day to experience that beautiful stretch of scenic beauty along the Swift River. One of our stops was the Rocky Gorge waterfall; simply beautiful! Another stop was the Russell – Colbath Homestead, where our excellent Ranger told us the history of that region. His accounts of life in that area were fascinating! We enjoyed a sweeping view of the mountains at the Pemigewasset Overlook. We highly recommend the Kangamangus scenic Highway!

beautiful

By MCan72 |

we saw moose, beautiful rapids and great vistas of mountains. great place for a relaxing picnic. would use this trail instead of highway to relax.

One of the best

By lee9 |

This 40 mile drive from Conway to Lincoln in New Hampshire takes you through the heart of the White Mountains and all of its scenic glory. No better time than the fall to really get a sense of its beauty.

Bucket List Awesome Fall Foliage

By Beth43323 |

Beautiful drive through the White Mountain National Forest, so no commercial interruptions. 35 miles of awesome beauty with many turn off overlook opportunities. Late morning is less busy than the afternoon, we were able to drive 35-40 mph the whole way on a Tuesday. $5 cash donations are requested at some of the overlook lots. Some road construction in Conway is a big pain. The Lower Falls area was the most beautiful today. There is so much red (maples?) foliage to compliment the golds and the green pines. Definitely a spectacular drive in the fall!