Recreation

The While Mountain National Forest draws millions of visitors each year for world-class hiking, skiing and camping adventures in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. With 1200 miles of hiking trails, 400 miles of snowmobile trails and 23 developed campgrounds, the People's Forest has something for everyone.

Know where you're going? Select the Recreation Areas in the upper right corner and use the drop-down to find an area.

Know Before You Go

Safety Notices and Closures Recreation Passes Maps

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Basin Campground	Closed	Trailhead open
Blackberry Crossing Campground	Closed
Boulder Loop Trailhead	Closed
Brickett Place Interpretive Site	Closed
Cold River Campground	Closed
Covered Bridge Campground	Closed
Crocker Pond Campground	Closed
Dolly Copp Campground	Closed
Dolly Copp Picnic Area	Closed
Fourth Iron Campground	Closed
Hancock Campground	Open	This campground is open year-round, with no services in the winter months.
Hastings Campground	Closed
Jigger Johnson Campground	Closed
Lincoln Woods Trailhead	Open
Lower Falls Recreation Site	Open
Passaconaway Campground	Closed
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area	Closed
Russell Pond Campground	Closed
South Pond Recreation Area	Closed
Sugarloaf I Campground	Closed
Sugarloaf II Campground	Closed
Tripoli Road Camping Area	Closed
Waterville Campground	Closed
White Ledge Campground	Closed
Wild River Campground	Closed
Wildwood Campground	Closed

Spotlights

Dolly Copp Campground

A spiral of logs extends into the distance

Note: Dolly Copp Campground is expected to open for the camping season in late spring 2022. More information will be provided as we get closer to opening.

Located along the Peabody River, this site has ample opportunity for small family picnics or large group gatherings. The large picnic pavilion, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, was rebuilt in 1996 using many of the original timbers, along with trees planted by the same 1936 CCC crew.

Welch-Dickey Trailhead

a smooth knob of granite is speckled with alpine forest.

The Welch-Dickey trail is extremely popular due to it's relatively easy access to fine views. The trail varies through shady hardwood forests to open expansive views. I the summer, wild bluberries can be picked as you approach the summit. There is some rock scrambling required along this trail, so come prepared with appropriate footwear. Trail is marked by yellow markers.

There are many scenic areas along the ledgy 4.4 mile loop.

Lower Falls Recreation Site

A low falls area on the forest full of people swimming and lounging on the rocks.

Lower Falls is the most popular destination on the Kancamagus Highway. It is a beautiful spot where the Swift River drops many feet over smooth granite rocks into a large pool. It is an ideal place to picnic, sun bathe, and swim. There is an 80 car parking lot, restrooms, and picnic tables with charcoal grills. Visitors should be aware that the rocks can be quite slippery and during high water extreme caution should be exercised while visiting the falls and the river. By ordinance of the Town of Albany, alcohol is prohibited at this site.