Where is White Mountain National Forest, Conway, New Hampshire?

Written by | Last Updated: November 19, 2025, 12:28 PM ET

White Mountain National Forest is located in New Hampshire and Maine, USA. It lies between Concord, NH, and Portland, ME and is situated in the northern Appalachian Mountains. It is famous for its rugged mountains, hiking trails, scenic drives, and fall foliage.

White Mountain National Forest Location Map, Conway, New Hampshire

Top Attractions Inside White Mountain National Forest

  • Mount Washington – Highest peak in the Northeast with hiking trails and panoramic views.
  • Franconia Notch State Park – Scenic park with waterfalls, lakes, and the Flume Gorge.
  • Kancamagus Highway – Famous scenic drive offering fall foliage and mountain vistas.
  • Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves – Natural rock formations and hiking trails with caves.
  • Hiking Trails – Extensive network ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes.
  • Rivers & Lakes – Outdoor recreation including fishing, kayaking, and swimming.
  • Wildlife Viewing – Opportunities to see moose, black bears, and native bird species.

White Mountain National Forest Facts

Official NameWhite Mountain National Forest
LocationConway (and surrounding Northern New Hampshire / Western Maine), USA – White Mountains region
Latitude & Longitude≈43.9° N, 71.5° W (central area; forest spans wide region)
Total Area~750,852 acres (≈1,225 sq mi / 1,248 km²) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Established / OpenedMay 16, 1918 (federal establishment) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Managed ByU.S. Forest Service (USFS) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
RegionNorthern New Hampshire & Western Maine – White Mountains / Appalachian Highlands
AddressSupervisor Office: Campton, NH (and ranger districts offices in Conway, NH; Gorham, ME) – USA :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Zip CodeVaries by district (Campton, NH 03223 / Conway, NH 03818 / others)
Area Code603 (New Hampshire) / 207 (Maine) depending on district
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZoneEastern Time (ET) – UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptMountain forests, alpine peaks, hiking, skiing, outdoor recreation, wilderness conservation, water & wildlife habitat preservation
Main Sections / FeaturesPresidential Range (including highest peaks), Franconia Range, Sandwich Range, Pemigewasset region, many ridges & valleys, extensive trail networks, wilderness areas, alpine and Nordic ski areas, campgrounds & recreation zones :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Famous AttractionsMount Washington (highest peak in Northeast), Kancamagus Highway scenic byway, Appalachian Trail segments, Franconia Notch area, White Mountain foliage viewing, hiking trails, skiing resorts, wilderness areas
Annual VisitorsMillions annually — the surrounding White Mountains region draws ~6 million visitors per year :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Entry Fee TypeFree public access; Fees may apply for some amenities (parking, ski areas, etc.) depending on location and activity
Ticket Price RangeVaries by activity: e.g. ski area lift tickets, camping fees, parking — not uniform across entire forest
Ticket OptionsSelf‑guided hiking, Camping, Skiing (alpine & cross‑country), Snowmobiling, Scenic drives, Wildlife watching, Wilderness/backcountry access, Visitor centers & information services :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Best Time to VisitYear‑round: Spring and Fall for hiking & foliage; Summer for general outdoor recreation; Winter for skiing & snow sports
Nearby AirportsPortions of forest accessible from Manchester–Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB), and various regional airports depending on entry point
TransportationCar / Highway access (I‑93, US‑302, NH‑112 / Kancamagus Hwy, others), Hiking & walking trails, Ski lifts and trails, Snowmobile trails, Public transit limited, local roads to ranger districts and trailheads
Official Websitehttps://www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain

Distances from White Mountain National Forest to Nearby Landmarks

  • Mount Washington – 32 km (19.9 mi)
  • Franconia Notch State Park – 25 km (15.5 mi)
  • Profile Lake – 28 km (17.4 mi)
  • Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves – 45 km (28 mi)
  • Pinkham Notch Visitor Center – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Conway – 40 km (24.9 mi)
  • North Conway Village – 42 km (26.1 mi)
  • Hurricane Mountain – 35 km (21.7 mi)
  • Echo Lake State Park – 38 km (23.6 mi)
  • Crawford Notch State Park – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Mount Chocorua – 55 km (34.2 mi)
  • Mount Jefferson – 28 km (17.4 mi)
  • Mount Adams – 35 km (21.7 mi)
  • Gorham – 48 km (29.8 mi)
  • Presidential Range – 32 km (19.9 mi)
  • Waterville Valley – 45 km (28 mi)
  • White Mountain Ski Area – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Thompson Falls – 40 km (24.9 mi)
  • Pinkham Notch – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Mount Lafayette – 27 km (16.8 mi)