RV Information to Driving the Kancamagus Freeway within the Fall

The Kancamagus Freeway – also called Route 112 – is 34 1/2 miles of gorgeous views and good fall foliage. The New Hampshire freeway takes you thru the White Mountain Nationwide Forest, and it’s a part of the White Mountain Path Nationwide Scenic Byway. It’s additionally extensively often known as among the finest scenic drives within the U.S. for viewing fall foliage.

The freeway’s stunning pull-offs, close by campgrounds, and quick access to mountaineering trails make it the right New Hampshire RV street journey.

You’ll wish to plan forward, as a result of the world has no companies, and the street will be winding and just a little steep. On this article, we’ll share all the things you must know to drive this superb scenic route by the colourful mountains.

Why Drive the Kancamagus Freeway within the Fall

The drive alongside the Kancamagus Freeway, by the White Mountain Nationwide Forest, takes you close to the Swift River, by glowing waterfalls, and up 3,000 toes alongside Kancamagus Cross for some magnificent surroundings of the White Mountains. You’ll drive by tunnels of vibrant timber, after which immediately emerge into an open area with sweeping mountain views.

Make sure to search for pullouts just like the Pemigewasset Overlook and Hancock Overlook, the place you possibly can cease and see colourful fall panoramas.

Additionally, make sure to search for wildlife, particularly moose. On your finest probability at seeing animals, drive early within the morning at dawn, or at twilight after they are inclined to forage for meals.

The autumn season additionally means you’ll get cooler temperatures on your outside actions. There’s loads of mountaineering in areas the place the freeway travels. You’ll need sturdy mountaineering boots and loads of layers so that you’re comfy because the day warms up or cools off. There are additionally plenty of tenting choices, and the cooler climate makes this a good time for a street journey.

The Kanc, because it’s usually identified, additionally travels by charming New England cities, and lots of of those have festivals in the course of the fall season. The New Hampshire Highland Video games & Competition takes place at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln in mid-September. North Conway holds a Hay Day Fall Fest at Cranmore Mountain Resort with contests, candy-apple adorning, and different festive occasions. And throughout the White Mountains cities, you’ll discover a wide range of farmers markets, reside music, theater performances, and extra.

RV Journey Ideas for the Kancamagus Freeway

Due to the recognition of this drive and space, it’s good to know just a little extra in regards to the drive earlier than you head out.

• Highway circumstances: The Kanc is 34 1/2 miles of winding mountain street. It’s manageable for RVs, and actually, it’s a well-liked drive for a lot of RVers. However you’ll wish to be ready to drive slowly. The freeway is a two-lane, paved freeway. There aren’t any shoulders in some locations, with guardrails by a few of the drop-offs.
• No companies: There aren’t any gasoline stations, eating places, or hookups on the freeway. Make certain to gas up earlier than you start your drive. You would pack a picnic to eat alongside the way in which. On the very least, deliver snacks in case the drive takes longer than you anticipated.
• Plan your pull-offs: Some pull-offs are simpler to navigate in an RV than others. Some good choices are the Hancock Overlook, Sabbaday Falls, and the Rocky Gorge Scenic Space.
• Greatest time of day: As a result of it is a highly regarded drive, the very best time to go is early within the morning on a weekday. You’ll need daylight to finest see the street (and the superb views!), however you’ll additionally wish to be out and about earlier than issues get too busy. You can even strive later within the afternoon, when crowds die down for the day. Visitors might transfer slowly alongside the drive, and pull-offs can get crowded or fully full as nicely.

Campgrounds and RV Parks Close to the Kancamagus Freeway

One strategy to actually take time and benefit from the foliage alongside this freeway is by tenting alongside the way in which. There are a number of choices for tenting which are close to scenic areas of this drive.

Listed here are some campgrounds to contemplate whereas in your Kancamagus Freeway RV journey.

Should-See Stops Alongside the Kancamagus Freeway

There are a number of issues to do close to Kancamagus Freeway that you just gained’t wish to miss! In the event you’re driving from Lincoln to Conway – west to east – listed below are some stops to contemplate, so as.

1. Hancock Overlook – this overlook shares sweeping views of the Osceola Vary and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It’s one of the vital photographed views on the entire freeway. There’s a good-sized, paved lot, however it will possibly refill throughout peak foliage season so that you’ll wish to arrive early.
2. Sabbaday Falls – this spot is a good place to stretch your legs, with a 0.3-mile stroll to the waterfall. It’s about 15 miles west of Conway, near the midway level within the drive. The parking space and trailhead are proper off Route 112. The lot is paved and might accommodate smaller RVs and trailers, but it surely fills shortly throughout foliage season. The hike is gravel-packed, with a straightforward, mild slope. There are a couple of steps on the falls. Bridges and the trail allow you to see the falls from above, beside, and under, and it’s a well-liked photograph spot. The falls are surrounded by forest, so that you’ll see plenty of fall colour as nicely. Picnic tables close to the car parking zone make a superb lunch spot.
3. Rocky Gorge Scenic Space – the Rocky Gorge Scenic Space encompasses a picturesque gorge and strolling bridge that’s an attractive spot to discover. It’s about 6 miles west of Conway, close to the japanese finish of the freeway. There’s a well-marked car parking zone proper off the street. It’s bigger than a number of different pullouts, but it surely nonetheless fills up within the fall. A brief, paved path leads you to a pedestrian bridge over the gorge, which was carved by the Swift River. You possibly can look down from the bridge and see the rapids, swirling swimming pools, and cascading water. The stroll is lower than 0.1 miles, a straightforward stroll. A brief path continues previous the bridge to Falls Pond and provides about 0.5 miles round-trip to your stroll. Within the fall, the falls are framed by vibrant crimson maples and golden birch timber. This can be a standard picture-taking space as nicely.
4. Decrease Falls – this makes an ideal cease, particularly for households taking the drive collectively. The Decrease Falls cease is about 7 miles west of Conway, simply previous the Coated Bridge Campground. There’s a clearly marked car parking zone, with picnic tables and restrooms. The Swift River makes shallow swimming pools and small cascades right here, and it’s a well-liked spot for wading and swimming in heat climate. Nonetheless, when the water is excessive, it’s unsafe to swim right here. It’s additionally an attractive photograph cease, particularly when you possibly can catch the colourful foliage mirrored within the swimming pools. There are additionally restrooms at this cease.
5. Sugar Hill Overlook – the Sugar Hill Overlook is likely one of the basic pullouts alongside this freeway. It’s a spot the place you possibly can take within the scale of the White Mountains. The pullout is 8 miles west of Conway, on the japanese half of the freeway. There’s a paved parking space that may accommodate vehicles, small RVs, and trailers, though it fills up on peak foliage weekends. You’ll get a panoramic view of the Swift River Valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Sandwich Vary and the southern White Mountains. The edges of those mountains are awash in reds, golds, and oranges from the timber. Within the early morning, you might also get mist rising from the valley, which makes a dramatic photograph alternative.

Mountaineering Trails for RV Vacationers

Mountaineering alongside The Kanc is an attractive strategy to expertise the area’s magnificence much more up shut. It’s additionally a pleasant strategy to stretch your legs alongside the drive.

• Straightforward hikes: The Sabbaday Falls Path is a flat 0.6-mile round-trip stroll to one of many most-photographed waterfalls within the White Mountains. The Decrease Falls Recreation Website is only a quick stroll from the car parking zone to the pure swimming holes and cascades alongside the Swift River. The Rocky Gorge Scenic Space & Falls Pond Loop is a 0.7-mile round-trip stroll by a gorge with cascades and previous a peaceable pond.
• Average hikes: The Boulder Loop Path is a 3-mile loop, and also you’ll see spectacular boulders alongside the way in which. The Champney Falls Path is 3.1 miles round-trip to get to the falls, and it has a 600-foot elevation acquire. The Sawyer Pond Path is 4 miles round-trip, and has a 500-foot elevation acquire. You’ll hike by the forest to a big, quiet pond.
• Difficult hikes: The Mount Osceola Summit Path is 5.7 miles lengthy with simply over 2,000 toes of elevation acquire. The Mount Tripyramid Loop is 11 miles round-trip, with an elevation acquire of three,000 toes. It’s a basic White Mountains path with a number of stream crossings and plenty of stunning surroundings.

The Decrease Falls and Champney Falls trails will be accessed with an RV. The Rocky Gorge and Boulder Loop trails will be accessed by smaller RVs, however it may be arduous to park right here throughout peak seasons and you could wish to use a towed car. Sabbaday Falls, Sawyer Pond, Mount Osceola, and Mount Tripyramid are all finest accessed with a towed car

Close by State Parks & Points of interest

There are many state parks close to Kancamagus Freeway as nicely. Listed here are a couple of of the parks you possibly can see whereas in your journey.

• Franconia Notch State Park (west of Lincoln): Start your go to on the Flume Gorge Customer Middle so you possibly can see your whole choices on the park. Stroll by the Flume Gorge, or admire the foliage from the aerial tramway that leaves from Cannon Mountain. There are a number of lakes on the park the place you possibly can swim and fish. You can even camp at this state park, however there aren’t any hookups.
• Echo Lake State Park (close to Conway): Echo Lake State Park is a good spot for serene kayaking and paddleboarding. You can even fish or swim right here. The park can be well-known for its leaf peeping. The lake is simply 15 acres, making this a pleasant little park for a few-hour journey.
• North Conway Village: This basic New England small city has loads of procuring and eating for guests. You can even trip the Conway Scenic Railroad, which affords fall foliage excursions. Trains depart from the historic 1874 depot, and there are a number of tour choices to select from.
• Lincoln/Woodstock space: You’ll discover a number of small cities with breweries and outlets that function gateways to the White Mountains. Loon Mountain Resort options New Hampshire’s longest gondola, climbing partitions, ziplining, and snowboarding and snowboarding in winter. The Granite State Scenic Railway affords classic practice excursions alongside the Pemigewasset River. The Misplaced River Gorge & Boulder Caves have a boardwalk path that runs by a glacial gorge stuffed with boulder caves and waterfalls. This space additionally has sledding and ice castles in winter and reside music, swimming, and tons of out of doors actions in summer time.

Pattern RV Fall Foliage Itinerary (2–3 Days)

• Day 1: Arrive in Lincoln and arrange camp at Lafayette Place Campground at Franconia Notch State Park. You would additionally discover a native non-public campground just like the Lincoln/Woodstock KOA or the Nation Bumpkins Campground. Discover Franconia Notch State Park and stroll the Flume Gorge boardwalk path. Hike to The Basin and trip the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. Take pleasure in a campfire at your campsite on the finish of the day.
• Day 2: Break camp and head (early!) to the Kancamagus Freeway. Cease at Sugar Hill Overlook and Hancock Overlook and take some quick hikes at Sabbaday Falls Path and Rocky Gorge & Falls Pond Loop. Picnic at a roadside space like Decrease Falls Recreation Website. Proceed east towards Conway and cease at scenic pullouts. Camp that evening at Jigger Johnson Campground.
• Day 3: Head to North Conway Village. Stroll the downtown space and see the boutiques and cafes. Take the Conway Scenic Railroad and select between the 1-hour Valley Practice tour or the 4-hour Mountaineer Practice by Crawford Notch for superb mountain views. Take pleasure in late lunch or early dinner in Conway at an area diner or brewery. Keep at a Conway campground for the evening – possibly Jap Slope Tenting Space or Coated Bridge Campground.
• Additional Time: If in case you have additional time, hike a extra reasonable path like Boulder Loop or Champney Falls. Cease at Woodstock to go to the Misplaced River Gorge & Boulder Caves or to get a beer on the Woodstock Inn Brewery.

Sensible Planning Ideas

Preserve the following tips in thoughts while you’re planning your Kancamagus Freeway RV journey to ensure your journey is easy and nice.

• When to go to: Peak foliage season within the White Mountains is often anytime from late September by mid-October. The climate annually can have an effect on the precise timing of when the leaves flip. You possibly can verify New Hampshire foliage trackers on-line, just like the White Mountains foliage tracker or the NH Peak Foliage Map. To keep away from crowds, plan your drive alongside the freeway for early within the morning on a weekday.
• RV measurement concerns: Whereas it’s potential for big rigs to handle the winding drive by the mountains, drivers might discover it a problem to seek out parking. The drive is simpler for small to mid-size RVs. You would additionally contemplate driving a tow car that matches into smaller parking spots. A few of the overlooks above do have parking for bigger autos, however you’ll wish to arrive early to get a spot.
• What to pack: The climate within the mountains in the course of the fall will be fickle. You might begin out with a cold morning, however heat up with the solar later in the course of the day. Deliver layers for altering temperatures, together with mountaineering boots for brief treks. A packable rain jacket, hat, and gloves for chilly mornings and evenings are additionally a good suggestion. Deliver your digital camera, tripod, and another pictures gear you may use. Inventory your RV kitchen and plan for snacks and lunch as nicely – there aren’t any meals stops alongside the freeway.
• layers, mountaineering boots, digital camera, stocked kitchen (no meals stops on route).
• Go away No Hint reminder: The White Mountain Nationwide Forest is well-traveled in the course of the fall! Assist to maintain the forest pristine and to guard the wildlife that lives there by leaving no hint as you journey. Pack or throw out any trash. Use designated fireplace pits and loo services on the campgrounds alongside the drive. Keep on designated mountaineering trails and roads as you discover the world as nicely. There may be some dispersed tenting allowed within the White Mountain Nationwide Forest, principally for backcountry backpackers, so make sure to comply with Go away No Hint guidelines for tenting as nicely.

Touring the Kancamagus Freeway within the fall is a bucket-list RV expertise. Few drives are as full of photographic alternatives and breathtaking views as this one is every autumn. For a really well-rounded journey, take a while to discover the campgrounds, hikes, small cities, and different sights as you journey. Nonetheless, you’ll wish to make sure to guide campgrounds, practice rides, and different experiences as early as you possibly can. Fall foliage season is a highly regarded time of 12 months, and these locations refill shortly.