The White Mountain National Forest, in New Hampshire and Maine, is a wonderful place to visit. Spectacular views and a full range of outdoor activities are available. The Appalachian Trail runs through the Forest for 170 miles.
- Supervisor's Office, 719 N Main Street, Laconia, +1 603 528-8721, +1 603 528-8722 (TTY).
- Gorham Office, 300 Glen Rd., Gorham, NH, Phone: +1 603 466-2713. May-Oct daily 8AM-4:30PM; Nov-Apr M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and fully accessible restrooms.
- Plymouth Office, 1171 NH Route 175, Holderness, NH, Phone: +1 603 536-1315. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and accessible restrooms.
- Bethlehem Office, 660 Trudeau Rd., Bethlehem, NH, Phone: +1 603 869-2626. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services (not fully accessible) and outdoor accessible vault toilets.
Supervisor's Office, 719 N Main Street, Laconia, +1 603 528-8721, +1 603 528-8722 (TTY).
Gorham Office, 300 Glen Rd., [[Gorham (New Hampshire)|Gorham]], NH, Phone: +1 603 466-2713. May-Oct daily 8AM-4:30PM; Nov-Apr M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and fully accessible restrooms.
Plymouth Office, 1171 NH Route 175, Holderness, NH, Phone: +1 603 536-1315. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and accessible restrooms.
Bethlehem Office, 660 Trudeau Rd., Bethlehem, NH, Phone: +1 603 869-2626. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services (not fully accessible) and outdoor accessible vault toilets.
- Campton Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 28, Campton, NH, Phone: +1 603 726-3804. Daily 9AM-5PM. Forest information, parking passes, and restrooms.
- Evans Notch Information Center, 18 Mayville Road, Bethel, Maine, Phone: +1 207 824-2134. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor Information Services and accessible public restroom.
- Gateway Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 32, Lincoln, NH, Phone: +1 603 745-3816. Daily 8:30AM-5PM. Has a full interpretive display that provides a history of the Forest and its evolution. Tactile, hands-on displays as well as an audio-described tour. Restrooms.
- Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln, NH, Phone: +1 603 630-5190, Daily 8AM-3:30PM. Located 5 miles east of Lincoln, this site serves as the starting point for outdoor activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. There is a parking area, visitor information cabin, trailhead for the Lincoln Woods Trail, a 180 foot (55 m) suspension bridge, and flush toilet facilities, all wheelchair accessible. A pedestrian walkway, accessible from the parking area, offers views up the Pemigewasset River.
Campton Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 28, Campton, NH, Phone: +1 603 726-3804. Daily 9AM-5PM. Forest information, parking passes, and restrooms.
Evans Notch Information Center, 18 Mayville Road, [[Bethel (Maine)|Bethel]], [[Maine]], Phone: +1 207 824-2134. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor Information Services and accessible public restroom.
Gateway Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 32, [[Lincoln (New Hampshire)|Lincoln]], NH, Phone: +1 603 745-3816. Daily 8:30AM-5PM. Has a full interpretive display that provides a history of the Forest and its evolution. Tactile, hands-on displays as well as an audio-described tour. Restrooms.
Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, Kancamagus Highway, [[Lincoln (New Hampshire)|Lincoln]], NH, Phone: +1 603 630-5190, Daily 8AM-3:30PM. Located 5 miles east of [[Lincoln (New Hampshire)|Lincoln]], this site serves as the starting point for outdoor activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. There is a parking area, visitor information cabin, trailhead for the Lincoln Woods Trail, a 180 foot (55 m) suspension bridge, and flush toilet facilities, all wheelchair accessible. A pedestrian walkway, accessible from the parking area, offers views up the Pemigewasset River.
Sold by the State of New Hampshire to large logging companies in 1867, the WMNF area was a central part of the industry that had 1832 sawmills and 17 logging railroads in the state of New Hampshire. The Weeks Act permitted the repurchase of the lands starting in 1914 with the original purchase of 7,000 acres (28.32 km²). Today the White Mountain National Forest has grown to 800,000 acres (3,237 km²).
Due to the early settlement of the area the Forest contains many historical sites. Early day farms, logging camps, mills, factories, CCC camps, old railroads, cemeteries. The Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micman, and Maliseet, and other tribes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont see the White Mountains as a spiritual place. The highest peak in the northeast, Mt. Washington, and the largest expanse of alpine area in the eastern U.S. were heavily used for vision quests.
Several mountain ranges are in the forest, including the Presidential Range. Mount Washington's summit, at 6,288 ft (1916.6 m) is the highest peak in New England. The Forest includes four designated wilderness areas in which no logging is allowed.
- The White Mountain National Forest sees 184 species of birds: 38 species year round, 35 migrants or winter species, and 110 during the summer months.
- Common mammals include; Black Bear, Bob Cat, deer, moose, coyote, fox gray and red, fisher, mink, pine marten,raccoon, porcupine, beaver and more. These are the common mammals you could see while hiking.
- A wildlife viewing blind is located near Deer Hill in Maine.
- Peregrine Falcons almost 60 captive-bred falcons were released from cliff sites. Adult peregrines have returned to some cliffs to raise their young.
- Moose sightings - Kancamagus Highway and northernmost sections of the White Mountains are well known for viewings. They are a frequent collision hazard on area highways. Often they can be spotted in marshy areas that collect road salt runoff.
The White Mountain National Forest sees 184 species of birds: 38 species year round, 35 migrants or winter species, and 110 during the summer months.
A wildlife viewing blind is located near Deer Hill in Maine.
Peregrine Falcons almost 60 captive-bred falcons were released from cliff sites. Adult peregrines have returned to some cliffs to raise their young.
Moose sightings - Kancamagus Highway and northernmost sections of the White Mountains are well known for viewings. They are a frequent collision hazard on area highways. Often they can be spotted in marshy areas that collect road salt runoff.
- User fees may be charged for specific uses: boat ramps, swimming facilities, campgrounds, etc.
- Parking: Areas requiring a pass are signed as fee areas. Passes are available at many of these areas.
- Patte Brook Auto Tour, a four-mile self-guided tour starting in Bethel, Maine in the Androscoggin District (western Maine) that you can read and print from this link.
- Route 302 offers amazing vistas of the Presidential Range.
- Nine scenic areas are managed to protect scenery.
Patte Brook Auto Tour, a four-mile self-guided tour starting in [[Bethel (Maine)|Bethel, Maine]] in the Androscoggin District (western Maine) that you can read and print from this link.
- Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, Rt 112 (Woodstock, +1 603 745-8031. The gorge offers several attractions, the main being the gorge and boardwalk trail that takes you on a three-quarter mile tour of the gorge. Other nature trails and gardens are also available if you’re not tired of walking yet. For those with children who want to play in the dirt, there is a mining sluice (extra fees pertain) where you can sift for gemstones and shark teeth. Adults: $17; Ages 4-12: $13; Ages 1-3 are free.
- Hiking on over 1,200 miles (1900 km) of trails.
- Mountain biking.
- Fishing.
- Hunting.
- Picnicking at 14 picnic grounds.
- Swimming.
- Canoeing.
In winter:
- Snowshoeing
- Snowmobiling
- 2 permitted alpine/cross country ski areas
- 4 permitted alpine ski areas
- 2 permitted cross country areas
- Tuckerman Ravine undeveloped spring skiing area (walk-up).
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, Rt 112 (Woodstock, +1 603 745-8031. The gorge offers several attractions, the main being the gorge and boardwalk trail that takes you on a three-quarter mile tour of the gorge. Other nature trails and gardens are also available if you’re not tired of walking yet. For those with children who want to play in the dirt, there is a mining sluice (extra fees pertain) where you can sift for gemstones and shark teeth. Adults: $17; Ages 4-12: $13; Ages 1-3 are free.
For any emergency in White Mountain National Forest, dial 911 from any phone.
Black bears, moose and deer roam the White Mountains. Never leave food or scented items (deodorant, air fresheners) in your car or bring it into your tent. Bears have a keen sense of smell and will detect them. Do not approach animals, particularly young ones as the parent may be nearby. To avoid bear encounters while hiking, make noise so that the animal knows you are coming. Give all animals their space, and never feed any park wildlife. Stay alert and do not exceed the speed limit while driving. Hundreds of moose are hit each year, with fatal results for some drivers.
Other natural dangers in the park come from the weather. Hypothermia is a concern at higher elevations where temperatures can drop below freezing throughout the year. Dress in layers, and be prepared for storms and rapid changes in temperature. When storms are approaching avoid open areas such as the summits of the park's many granite domes; lightning strikes these areas regularly. If a storm does approach, get off of high, open ground. When hiking wear sturdy footwear and drink plenty of water - if you are thirsty that is an early sign of dehydration.
Vermont or the Maine Southern Coast are good next stops.