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
More New Hampshire Maps & Info
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 Name | White Mountain National Forest |
| Location | Conway (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 / Opened | May 16, 1918 (federal establishment) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Managed By | U.S. Forest Service (USFS) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Region | Northern New Hampshire & Western Maine – White Mountains / Appalachian Highlands |
| Address | Supervisor Office: Campton, NH (and ranger districts offices in Conway, NH; Gorham, ME) – USA :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Zip Code | Varies by district (Campton, NH 03223 / Conway, NH 03818 / others) | Area Code | 603 (New Hampshire) / 207 (Maine) depending on district |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Mountain forests, alpine peaks, hiking, skiing, outdoor recreation, wilderness conservation, water & wildlife habitat preservation |
| Main Sections / Features | Presidential 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 Attractions | Mount 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 Visitors | Millions annually — the surrounding White Mountains region draws 6 million visitors per year :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| Entry Fee Type | Free public access; Fees may apply for some amenities (parking, ski areas, etc.) depending on location and activity |
| Ticket Price Range | Varies by activity: e.g. ski area lift tickets, camping fees, parking — not uniform across entire forest |
| Ticket Options | Self‑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 Visit | Year‑round: Spring and Fall for hiking & foliage; Summer for general outdoor recreation; Winter for skiing & snow sports |
| Nearby Airports | Portions of forest accessible from Manchester–Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB), and various regional airports depending on entry point |
| Transportation | Car / 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 Website | https://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)
Explore the complete list of places to visit in the United States, including national parks, cities, landmarks, and famous attractions.