Recreation


Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

The White 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

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

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

Spotlights

Dolly Copp Campground

A spiral of logs extends into the distance

​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.