When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and wet, with snowmelt swelling Arethusa Falls and Dry River; trails can be muddy and icy at elevation.
Pack Waterproof boots, microspikes for lingering ice on high trails, rain layers, and trekking poles.
Summer
Mild and green in the notch, with afternoon thunderstorms possible and busy weekends at the campground.
Pack Sun and rain layer, bug spray for the valley, and a reservation for Dry River well in advance.
Fall
Crisp and stunning, with hardwood color from late September peaking into mid-October across the notch walls.
Pack Warm layers, traction for wet leaves on rock, and a camera for the classic notch viewpoints.
Winter
Cold and snowy, with the campground moving to first-come primitive service and ice on most trails.
Pack Full winter insulation, microspikes or crampons, avalanche awareness, and flexible timing.
Top things to do
Arethusa Falls
New Hampshire's tallest waterfall at roughly 140 feet, reached by a scenic 2.7-mile round trip from the Route 302 trailhead, with the option to loop over Frankenstein Cliff for views down the notch.
Mount Willard
The classic easy viewpoint of Crawford Notch: a 3.2-mile round trip from Crawford Depot to an open ledge perched above the entire notch, accessible to most hikers and one of the best bang-for-effort views in the White Mountains.
The Willey House and the notch history
The site of the 1826 Willey family disaster, when a landslide destroyed the mountain and the family perished fleeing it while the house itself was spared. The visitor area and snack bar sit here and anchor the park's scenic mid-notch pullout.
Anchor the day around Arethusa Falls
Check road and trail status before committing to the high-country version of the plan. For one day in Crawford Notch State Park, make Arethusa Falls the non-negotiable, add Mount Willard only if the first stop runs clean, and keep The Willey House and the notch history as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Arethusa Falls: New Hampshire's tallest waterfall at roughly 140 feet, reached by a scenic 2.7-mile round trip from the Route 302 trailhead, with the option to loop over.
- 2Add Mount Willard: The classic easy viewpoint of Crawford Notch: a 3.2-mile round trip from Crawford Depot to an open ledge perched above the entire notch, accessible to most hikers.
- 3Use The Willey House and the notch history as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Crawford Notch's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Crawford Notch State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Crawford Notch State Park packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Crawford Notch State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Crawford Notch
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Crawford Notch
The buying guides that match what Crawford Notch asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Dry River Campground is the park's 35-site woodland campground at the heart of the notch, with flush toilets, showers, and a pet-friendly policy, at $35 per night with no hookups. It runs from late May through late October, with primitive first-come service in shoulder seasons. Crawford Notch is also close to AMC huts on the Presidential Range for backpackers, and the towns of North Conway, Bretton Woods, and Bartlett add motels, inns, and the Mount Washington Hotel for those who prefer a roof.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve Dry River Campground well ahead for summer weekends in the heart of Crawford Notch.
The 35-site Dry River Campground sits in the notch woodland with flush toilets and showers. Summer weekends fill fast; reserve through New Hampshire's ReserveAmerica system.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
New Hampshire State Parks uses ReserveAmerica for campsite reservations. Reservations open on a rolling basis and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Call 1-877-647-2757 or book online.
- Dry River Campground has 35 wooded sites at $35 per night with no hookups; flush toilets and showers are available in season.
- The campground runs from roughly late May through late October, with primitive first-come service available in early spring and late fall via an iron ranger self-pay station.
- Pets are welcome on leash; out-of-state firewood is prohibited but firewood is available for purchase at the park.
Where to book or verify
Official New Hampshire State Parks reservation system for Dry River Campground.
Official NH State Parks page for hours, trails, waterfalls, and the Willey House.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Dry River Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through ReserveAmerica up to 6 months in advance; shoulder-season sites first-come.
- Season
- Late May to late October for full service; primitive first-come in early spring and late fall.
- Sites
- 35 wooded tent sites with flush toilets and showers; no hookups. Pet-friendly.
- The only in-park camping in Crawford Notch, at $35 per night. AMC huts on the Presidential Range are a separate system for longer trips.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Crawford Notch State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- New Hampshire
Arrival note
Crawford Notch State Park straddles Route 302 in Harts Location, in the heart of the White Mountains between Bartlett and Twin Mountain.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive through the notch on Route 302; trailhead pullouts for Arethusa Falls, the Willey House, and Mount Willard are all signed along the highway.
Local movement
North Conway is about 20 miles southeast and Bretton Woods is about 12 miles northwest.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
New Hampshire has no general filming permit at all; the exceptions are state parks (100 dollar special use permit), numbered state highways, and the State House grounds.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hikes in Crawford Notch State Park?
The two classics are Arethusa Falls, roughly 2.7 miles round trip to New Hampshire's tallest waterfall with an optional cliff-loop extension, and Mount Willard, a 3.2-mile round trip to an open ledge with one of the best views of the full notch. Both are accessible from Route 302 trailheads. The notch also connects to AMC trails reaching the Presidential Range for longer objectives.
Is there an entrance fee for Crawford Notch State Park?
There is no day-use entrance fee to drive through the notch or use the trailheads. Camping at Dry River Campground is $35 per night with no hookups. Snacks and supplies are available at the Willey House area.
Can you camp in Crawford Notch State Park?
Yes. Dry River Campground has 35 wooded sites with flush toilets and showers at $35 per night, open from late May through late October. No hookups are available. Reserve through New Hampshire's ReserveAmerica system, especially for summer weekends. Primitive first-come camping is available in the shoulder seasons via an on-site iron ranger pay station.
When is the best time to visit Crawford Notch?
Late September through mid-October is prime for fall foliage when the notch walls turn brilliant color. Summer is the busiest season for waterfalls and campground use. Spring brings strong waterfall flow but muddy and icy trails. Winter is quiet and spectacular but requires full cold-weather gear.