State Park · New Hampshire
A 5,775-acre White Mountains gorge on Route 302 in Harts Location: cascading waterfalls including Arethusa Falls, the historic Willey House, AMC trail access to the Presidential Range, and the Dry River Campground at the heart of one of New Hampshire's most dramatic notches.
Field briefing
Crawford Notch State Park changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
The signature hikes are Arethusa Falls and Mount Willard, but the notch also serves as a gateway to dozens of White Mountain trails. Plan around the Dry River Campground for an overnight base, reserve ahead for summer, and treat the notch drive itself as a destination at any season.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Crawford Notch asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
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
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.
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
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.