Fall Paddling - Photo Courtesy of Chamber of Commerce
If you were to draw up the perfect place to enjoy autumn in New England, you would need certain essential ingredients. The first ingredient would obviously be amazing fall foliage – hills and forests covered in leaves of brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. You’d need a variety of ways to enjoy this beauty – scenic paths for hiking; ponds and lakes surrounded by forest for paddling; miles of remote wilderness trails for ATVing. You’d need woodlands and waterways bursting with wildlife, allowing you to experience the excitement of fishing for salmon or hunting for pheasant or white-tailed deer.
The ideal New England autumn destination would have all of these things. And it would be just like autumn in New Hampshire’s North Country.
The ideal New England autumn destination would have all of these things. And it would be just like autumn in New Hampshire’s North Country.
Photo Courtesy of Bear Rock Adventures
New England offers many special places in the fall. But the North Country is where autumn in New England is at its best. The season arrives in the region with an explosion of color and activity. The North Country sees some of the earliest fall foliage in the Northeast, and it offers visitors some of the very best fishing and hunting in the eastern United States.
Here are a few ways you can enjoy New Hampshire’s North Country this fall.
Here are a few ways you can enjoy New Hampshire’s North Country this fall.
Photo Courtesy of Jackson's Lodge
Fall Foliage
Each year, visitors from around the globe flock to northern New Hampshire to experience the region’s spectacular fall foliage, which arrives early in the North Country. The area’s leaves begin changing color around Labor Day and peak during the last two weeks of September, several weeks ahead of the rest of New Hampshire.
Visitors have lots of ways to enjoy the region’s fall colors. They can take a scenic hike, climbing to the top of 3,360-foot Mount Magalloway – one of the highest peaks in the region – or hiking one of several scenic trails in Dixville Notch. Another popular option is paddling one of the area’s beautiful lakes or ponds, such as Lake Umbagog, East Inlet or one of the Connecticut Lakes. Many visitors enjoy renting an ATV and exploring miles of remote wilderness ATV trails on the Ride the Wilds trail system. Cruising through the region when it’s at its most colorful is a great way to end the North Country’s ATV season, which concludes on September 30. Some visitors enjoy viewing the foliage from the comfort of their own cars. For those people, the area is home to plenty of scenic roads, with Route 26 as it cuts through Dixville Notch perhaps being the most breathtaking.
Each year, visitors from around the globe flock to northern New Hampshire to experience the region’s spectacular fall foliage, which arrives early in the North Country. The area’s leaves begin changing color around Labor Day and peak during the last two weeks of September, several weeks ahead of the rest of New Hampshire.
Visitors have lots of ways to enjoy the region’s fall colors. They can take a scenic hike, climbing to the top of 3,360-foot Mount Magalloway – one of the highest peaks in the region – or hiking one of several scenic trails in Dixville Notch. Another popular option is paddling one of the area’s beautiful lakes or ponds, such as Lake Umbagog, East Inlet or one of the Connecticut Lakes. Many visitors enjoy renting an ATV and exploring miles of remote wilderness ATV trails on the Ride the Wilds trail system. Cruising through the region when it’s at its most colorful is a great way to end the North Country’s ATV season, which concludes on September 30. Some visitors enjoy viewing the foliage from the comfort of their own cars. For those people, the area is home to plenty of scenic roads, with Route 26 as it cuts through Dixville Notch perhaps being the most breathtaking.
Photo Courtesy of Wes Lavin
Hunting
For anyone who loves the thrill of hunting, the woods of the North Country offer some of the best hunting grounds in the Northeast come fall. The region’s rugged wilderness and ground cover provide an ideal habitat for a variety of birds, making it one of the best places in the eastern U.S. to hunt species like pheasant, woodcock and grouse. Bird season begins October 1 and runs through the end of the year.
For those looking for bigger game, northern New Hampshire is legendary for its big white-tailed deer, making it a great place to hunt for that trophy buck during November. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to be chosen in New Hampshire’s moose-hunting lottery, the North Country is prime moose territory. This year’s moose hunt is October 20 to 28.
To make the best of your North Country hunting experience, hire a local guide who knows the ins and outs of the region and its wildlife.
For anyone who loves the thrill of hunting, the woods of the North Country offer some of the best hunting grounds in the Northeast come fall. The region’s rugged wilderness and ground cover provide an ideal habitat for a variety of birds, making it one of the best places in the eastern U.S. to hunt species like pheasant, woodcock and grouse. Bird season begins October 1 and runs through the end of the year.
For those looking for bigger game, northern New Hampshire is legendary for its big white-tailed deer, making it a great place to hunt for that trophy buck during November. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to be chosen in New Hampshire’s moose-hunting lottery, the North Country is prime moose territory. This year’s moose hunt is October 20 to 28.
To make the best of your North Country hunting experience, hire a local guide who knows the ins and outs of the region and its wildlife.
Photo Courtesy of Chamber of Commerce
Fishing
As cool autumn temperatures set in, many species of fish become more active in the region. Among these species are landlocked salmon. From late September into early October, these salmon are prime targets for anglers. The salmon fishing is especially good along the North Country’s famed Trophy Stretch, a two-and-a-half mile stretch of the Connecticut River from First Connecticut Lake down to Lake Francis that is home to some of the best fly fishing in the eastern U.S. The region’s expert fishing guides can show anglers the best fishing spots and teach them the nuances of fishing the area’s waters.
Harvest Fair
On Saturday, October 6, Colebrook Downtown Development Association will host the annual Harvest Fair at the Colebrook Elementary School. Held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the popular fair features a chowder and chili challenge, crafts, gifts, music, food, a farmers market, 50/50 raffle and much more.
As cool autumn temperatures set in, many species of fish become more active in the region. Among these species are landlocked salmon. From late September into early October, these salmon are prime targets for anglers. The salmon fishing is especially good along the North Country’s famed Trophy Stretch, a two-and-a-half mile stretch of the Connecticut River from First Connecticut Lake down to Lake Francis that is home to some of the best fly fishing in the eastern U.S. The region’s expert fishing guides can show anglers the best fishing spots and teach them the nuances of fishing the area’s waters.
Harvest Fair
On Saturday, October 6, Colebrook Downtown Development Association will host the annual Harvest Fair at the Colebrook Elementary School. Held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the popular fair features a chowder and chili challenge, crafts, gifts, music, food, a farmers market, 50/50 raffle and much more.
Photo Courtesy of Wes Lavin
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