Trip Planner: USA / New Hampshire / White Mountains / Hart's Location / Crawford Notch State Park

Crawford Notch State Park, Hart's Location

4.7

#15 of 35 in Nature in White Mountains

Crawford Notch is a major pass through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, located almost entirely within the town of Hart's Location. Roughly half of that town is contained in Crawford Notch State Park. The high point of the notch, at approximately above sea level, is at the southern end of the town of Carroll, near the Crawford Depot train station and Saco Lake, the source of the Saco River, which flows southward through the steep-sided notch. North of the high point of the notch, Crawford Brook flows more gently northwest to the Ammonoosuc River, a tributary of the Connecticut River.The notch is traversed by U.S. Route 302, which closely follows the Saco River southeast to North Conway and less closely follows the Ammonoosuc River northwest to Littleton.HistoryThe notch became known to European settlers when found by Timothy Nash in 1771. The 1772 boundaries of Hart's Grant reflected its shape. It was named for Abel Crawford, an explorer, trail-builder and hosteler in the early 19th century. The Tenth New Hampshire Turnpike from Portsmouth was extended through the notch to Lancaster in 1803. The turnpike and later Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad through Crawford Notch opened a new route through the White Mountains for settlers of the area to the northwest to reach Conway on the way to the trading ports on the coast.

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Crawford Notch State Park Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

116 reviews

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4.8

By Peter P H On February 7, 2018

Many turn-offs offer opportunity for great fall scenery pictures along this road. Short walks get better shots. more »
By Ray T On December 18, 2017

This is not your typical state park full of parking lots and picnic tables. This is a wilderness park whereby you should plan on doing some hiking including elevation gain when you arrive. more »
By Bluebirdsinging On November 9, 2017

Crawford Notch State Park is wonderful to hike when you are in the New Hampshire area. There in late September so we missed the fall foliage. more »

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By Matthew Newbury On August 15, 2017

This park was an amazing crescendo to our White Mountain vacation! The picnic area is along a small river pond, all nestled in a literal bowl of mountains! The views are breath taking. An abundance of trails gives lots of hiking options for all interest levels. Restrooms are available, and the park is a carry-in-carry-out. We stayed into the early evening and were able to see the sun set over the mountains, washing the rocky faces in brilliant orange and reds, it is truly something to witness. The drive in is just as amazing as the park itself! No matter which direction you drive in from you should take the moment to drive the mountain pass, as the views and cliffs are worth seeing. With the lodge at the top, you could turn this park into a vacation of its own, and has certainly made my list of places to return to.

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By Kevin Walsh On October 31, 2017

Great sightseeing..always very clean any season is a gr8 visit..walk the 10 minute or 30 minute trails..

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By Howie Merrill On June 17, 2017

If you are in the White Mountains and do not stop here, even just to pull off the road and take some pictures, well, you missed out. If it beautiful there. I haven't gone hiking in the area but I plan to someday. Wish I could say more to explain why I gave this 5 stars. But I do love it there!

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By John Herbert On September 23, 2017

Deep in White Mts. Lots of hiking trails. And AMC buildings/ lodgings and a store.

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By Ralph Farley On September 22, 2017

Lots of trails along the road for hiking. Quiet and enjoyable.

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