13 Best Kancamagus Highway Spots To See Fall Foliage
As soon as the calendar flips to September, New Englanders start thinking about their favorite fall activities. Chief among them is “leaf-peeping” which can be kind of a catch-all for visiting small villages and rural areas while admiring the brilliant colors that come with autumn in this region!
There are many great areas to explore and roads to journey along in the fall to capture the best foliage views. Among them all, the Kancamagus is arguably the most iconic.
The Kancamagus is a 34.5-mile east-west state route in northern New Hampshire that is a section of Route 112. The roadway runs in the middle of the picturesque and rugged White Mountain National Forest, connecting Bath and Conway. Along the highway, you will find beautiful mountains, trails, bridges, waterfalls, overlooks, and more! This blog post covers some of the best spots to pull over along the Kancamagus in the fall to see the best views New Hampshire has to offer!
Stop #1 – Lincoln Woods Suspension Bridge
Town: Lincoln, New Hampshire
Location: HERE
The Lincoln Woods Trail is one of the White Mountain National Forest’s most popular and accessible routes. It is a primary route into the headwaters of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, and it leads into the Pemigewasset Wilderness, one of the largest roadless areas in the eastern United States. The 160’ long suspension bridge that spans the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River is very close to the parking area.
Stop #2 – Otter Rocks
- Town: Conway, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
Otter Rocks is located along the Hancock Branch of the Pemigewasset River. It is the perfect place to photograph and also enjoy a picnic at thanks to it’s many tables overlooking the cascades and small pools. The spot is very popular in the summer for visitors hoping to cool off and enjoy some beautiful views. It is also popular during the fall as photographers love walking around the rocks to capture the perfect photo of the water and foliage covered trees.
Stop #3 – Hairpin Turn
- Town: Lincoln, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
For many years, the hairpin turn on the Kancamagus Route has been an iconic aspect of the highway. When it comes to organizing a trip down the Kancamagus Highway, many people are anxious about the turn. The truth is that, while the bend is a large hairpin, it is safe if driven at or below the posted speed limit.
The best way to capture the hairpin turn is from above, but be sure you follow local drone rules if you plan on using a drone. Drones are not allowed to take off from the parking area. You must hike to a safe spot far away from the highway to take off and land. Nothing beats a photo of the epic turn cutting through the colorful fall trees.
Stop #4 – Hancock Overlook
- Town: Lincoln, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
The Hancock Overlook is a popular overlook and parking area located right at the upper end of the hairpin turn. The overlook offers stunning views of the Osceola Range which are breathtaking year-round, but especially during the fall. There are also benches and covered areas which makes it a great spot to take a break during a day of exploring. Informational signs are also posted to inform visitors more about the views and the area. Rangers are often at the overlook to answer questions.
The parking lot at the Hancock Overlook does get busy as it is also used for hikers looking to access the nearby trailhead to Mount Hancock.
Stop #5 – Pemigewasset Overlook
- Town: Albany, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
Anyone searching for a beautiful view of the White Mountains should stop at the Pemigewasset Overlook, which is located along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. Interpretive signage describing the views is available in a beautiful pavilion. From the pavilion, visitors can enjoy some of the best views of the surrounding mountains while also getting a break in shade. During the fall, it is hard to leave the Pemigewasset Overlook considering it’s endless views of the fall foliage.
Stop #6 – Sugar Hill Scenic Vista
- Town: Conway, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
The Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook, roughly in the middle of the famed Kancamagus Highway, offers stunning views of Mount Tremont, Owl Cliff, Bear Mountain, and Sugar Hill. The overlook offers a good sized parking lot, multiple benches, and a small pavilion with more information about the views and the overlook. The views from this vantage point are truly spectacular during the fall season.
Stop #7 – Sabbaday Falls
- Town: Campton, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
Sabbaday Falls is one of the most popular stops along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, and it’s only a 15-minute walk from a paved parking lot. The trail is an evenly graded and gravel-surfaced route with a stone staircase and wooden boardwalk allowing visitors to get right up-close to the waterfall. The falls are a beautiful set of cascades that flow down a small flume. The geology of the falls is explained through interactive panels. Swimming is prohibited. In the parking lot, there are restrooms and picnic tables. As this is a fee site, there is also a self-serve pay station.
Stop #8 – Russell-Colbath House Barn
- Town: Albany, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
While traveling along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, the Russell-Colbath Historic Site is a wonderful place to stop at and explore. On the site you will find an historic home, beautiful grounds with a short trail system, a cemetery, and this beautiful barn. The barn is a replica of the original which fell into disrepair. The barn is the perfect structure to photograph among the fall foliage!
Stop #9 – Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
- Town: Albany, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
Rocky Gorge is a tiny, powerful gorge down which water nearly always rushes, even during droughts. Rocky Gorge, carved by glaciers, is a beautiful scenic place. Rocky Gorge has a 10-foot drop and rapids running through it.
Rocky Gorge is easy to reach and accessible to people with impairments. A short and simple stroll along the Swift River from the parking lot leads you across a foot bridge spanning the Swift River. For viewing and photographs, you can stand straight above the gorge. Visitors also allowed to stand on the rocks, but be careful as they can get slippery!
Stop #10 – Lower Falls
- Town: Albany, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
One of the Kancamagus Highway’s most popular attractions is Lower Falls. The Swift River plunges many feet over polished granite boulders into a big pool, creating a stunning sight. Picnicking, sunbathing, and swimming are all popular activities during warm days. There is an 80-car parking area, restrooms, and charcoal barbecues at the picnic tables. In the fall, photographers flock to Lower Falls to grab amazing compositions of the water and the surrounding foliage. The reflections here make for spectacular photos!
Stop #11 – Albany Covered Bridge
- Town: Albany, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
In 1858, the Albany Covered Bridge was built for the first time. Over the years, repairs and restorations have kept the bridge in the useable state it is now. There is a large, paved parking area right near the covered bridge that can accommodate buses and dozens of cars. There are also restrooms at the parking area. On both sides of the bridge are explanatory panels, as well as a granite fishing pier on the north side. During the winter, the bridge is closed, however, pedestrians are welcome to cross year-round.
These last two spots are very close to the start of the Kancamagus Highway on the eastern end**
Stop #12 – Swift River Covered Bridge
- Town: North Conway, Conway, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
Located just off the Kancamagus Highway is the beautiful Swift River Covered Bridge which is well worth checking out and photographing! The Swift River Covered Bridge is 129 feet long that was built in the Paddleford truss style with added arches. The bridge was constructed in 1870 and stands one-half mile north of N.H. Route 16 at Conway Village over the Swift River. It has an overall width of 21’0″ with a roadway width of 17’2″. The structure is closed to vehicular traffic.
Stop 13 – Saco River Covered Bridge
- Town: North Conway, Conway, New Hampshire
- Location: HERE
The current Saco River Covered Bridge was built in 1890 and it stands only a few hundred feet from the Swift River Covered Bridge. During a flood in 1869 that swept the Swift River Covered Bridge down the river, the original Saco River Covered Bridge was hit. Both bridges were hauled 2 miles downstream after the Saco River Covered Bridge was knocked off its abutments. The Swift River Covered Bridge was built using the ruins of the ancient Saco River Covered Bridge and the Swift River Covered Bridge.
Between 1987 and 1989, the Saco River Covered Bridge underwent extensive renovation.
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