Outdoor Recreation: Parks

Crawford Notch State Park

URL: http://www.nhstateparks.com/crawford.html
Address: 2059 US Route 302, Hart’s Location, NH
Phone: (603) 374-2272

At this state park, you can hike along the 6 miles of trails that connect with the Appalachian Trail. The 5,950-acre park in the middle of the White Mountains National Forest includes a visitors center at the Willey House. It is named for a family killed as a result of a massive avalanche in 1826. Fish in the mountain streams, hike along the self-guided nature trail or just relax and enjoy the cascading waterfalls. Acreage: 5,775 acresActivities: Camping, hiking, fishing, picnickingAmenities: Campground, picnic tables, snack bar and gift shop. Flush toilets and showers are located in the campgroundDay Use Fee: $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free.Camping: $23/per site Rates cover two adults and children under 18 on the site. Each additional adult is $10 per person per night. The maximum number of adults per site is 4, except in designated areas.Camping info: The 36-site campground, located near Dry River, includes 30 primitive sites available by reservation, and 6 sites for first-come/first-served campers. Self-service/self-pay camping is available starting May 18, 2007, weather permitting. Reserved camping with full staffing and facilities is available starting May 25 and closing on October 8, 2007. Reservations for campsites may be made by calling the Reservation Office, Monday through Friday, from January through the end of the season. Camping: The campground is open for reservable stays from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. Self-service/self-pay camping with limited services is available pre-season starting May 9, 2008, and post-season is available with weather permitting.Operation Schedule: Day-Use: Year-roundDial 1-877-NHParks (1-877-647-2757) for standard reservations.Pets: Pets are welcomed in the camping area, but must be leashed and attended at all times.More hiking infoTwo short, easy walks begin across the road and bridge from the Willey House site. The POND LOOP TRAIL, 1/2 mile round trip, bears to the left just beyond the bridge, leads through the woods to a view point of the pond, and loops back to the bridge. The SAM WILLEY TRAIL, one mile round trip, bears to the right thirty yards beyond the bridge, follows the Saco River through the woods past several beaver dams, and loops back to the bridge. RIPPLEY FALLS is a 100-foot high cascade where Avalanche Brook flows over moss-covered sloping granite creating a cool, peaceful spot to relax after the 1/2 mile walk in. The falls are easy to find by following the Ripley Falls Trail which diverges left from the Ethan Pond Trail shortly after it begins at the end of the access road, which leaves Route 302 one mile southeast of the Willey House Site. ARETHUSA FALLS, over 200 feet high, are the highest falls in the state and certainly worth a visit. The access road to the start of the 1.3 mile, fairly rocky and moderately steep trail, leads off Route 302 1/2 mile south of Dry River Campground. Return via the same route or complete the 3 mile loop past Frankenstein Cliff to the start point. The open ledges at the 2,804-foot summit of Mt. Willard afford spectacular views of Crawford Notch, the southern Presidentials and Mt. Washington. The 1.4 mile (one way) trail climbs gradually to the summit from the Crawford Depot (AMC) near the north entrance of the notch.