Reds, yellows, oranges and greens as the fall foliage reflects on the water. (Photo courtesy of Wes Lavin)
For many visitors and locals alike, there is nothing like the magic of autumn, the beauty of the changing leaves, the crisp cool air, and the winding roads are all something to look forward to every year. It can be hard to find the perfect “off the beaten path” road trip that makes your fall memorable. This can especially be true if you want to find a hidden gem amongst some of the best foliage in the nation. The North Country of New Hampshire is exactly the place; you won't find overcrowded roads, slow traffic of other travelers, or any lack of magic when you visit this area in the fall.
What Makes The North Country The Best Place For Foliage?
The area includes some of the best backcountry in New England. With untouched land for miles around, the maples, beeches, oaks, aspens, and poplar trees are plentiful. With the ability to drive your car on picturesque dirt roads, scenic hikes, and ATV riding in the area, you can see the colors of autumn first hand. Because this area is a hidden gem, you won't find the congestion and overcrowded roads you might experience just an hour or so away at some of the more well-known foliage viewing roads like the Kancamagus Highway.
Spectacular and serene views on the East Inlet. (Photo courtesy of Wes Lavin)
Peak Viewing In The North Country
The North Country of New Hampshire is one of the first places in the country to see the leaves change and therefore, one of the first to hit peak season. Peak is the time of year when almost all of the trees are at the height of their color and have yet to lose their leaves. It is the one time of the year where you can feel like you are walking around inside of a kaleidoscope, because of the variety and vibrancy of colors on the trees. For this area, peak season typically ranges from the last week in September into early October. Because it is so far north, the trees can sense the cold long before their southern counterparts, and they begin to change long before other areas do. You will see the vibrant golden yellow of the Quaking Aspen and the black speckled yellow of the Balsam Poplar first.
Insider Tip: The secret to seeing all of the colors at their brightest is choosing an overcast day. The reds, oranges, and yellows are stunning with the diffuse light of a cloudy day. A sunny day will still be beautiful, but the vibrancy will be washed out with the shining sunlight.
Insider Tip: The secret to seeing all of the colors at their brightest is choosing an overcast day. The reds, oranges, and yellows are stunning with the diffuse light of a cloudy day. A sunny day will still be beautiful, but the vibrancy will be washed out with the shining sunlight.
Miles and miles of dirt roads, mountains and changing leaves. (Photo courtesy of Wes Lavin)
The Best Experience For You
From climbing Mount Magalloway to driving along the Connecticut River on Route 3, there are many ways to experience all that the North Country has to offer. Whether you are a hiker looking for that “off the beaten path” view, a road trip aficionado looking for a great dirt road experience, or an off-roader looking for an ATV ride deep into the heart of the woods, the North Country of New Hampshire has something for everyone.
Mount Magalloway
Towering above the foliage is Mount Magalloway, a peak that stands at 3,383' above sea level and boasts panoramic views of the North Country, Canada, Maine, and Vermont. If you hike to the top, you will find an active fire tower that you are welcome to climb the stairs and get an even bigger view. If you love the idea of camping on top of the mountain for the night, there is also a cabin you can rent (without running water so plan to trek your water in). Part of the beauty of Mount Magalloway is the journey of simply getting there. Magalloway Road is a scenic dirt road leading to the mountain, and there is the possibility of a moose sighting along the way. Just beyond the turnoff for Mount Magalloway is Garfield Falls, with a short .25 mile hike in, you can experience a view of the 35 foot waterfalls against the striking colors of autumn. If you are looking for the perfect fall foliage drive, take Magalloway Road to Buck Horn Road to Cedar Stream Road, as you make your way along the back side of Lake Francis.
Uncrowded, serene foliage viewing area. (Photo courtesy of Wes Lavin)
Lake Francis
For a great fall foliage experience along the water, there is the Lake Francis Trail which is part of the Cohos Trail and will give you a beautiful 6-mile view of the aforementioned Lake Francis. If you want to experience autumn on the water, this 2,000-acre lake is open to brook trout fishing through October 15th. If the weather is good, there are many camping areas along the lake and a boat launch. This is an ideal way to experience the beauty of the lake and the changing trees from a kayak or canoe. While Lake Francis is certainly a spectacular spot, the area has no shortage of idyllic mountain lakes suitable for producing postcard worthy photos. When you’ve decided that one day may not be enough time to take in all that the area has to offer, Tall Timber Lodge and Lopstick offer canoe, kayak and row boat rentals on Back Lake and First Connecticut Lake and are the perfect places to recharge and plan the next day’s adventure.
Dixville Notch
If you are looking for a challenge that gets your blood flowing and heart pumping, the hike to Table Rock will do just that and result in spectacular views from the edge of a cliff. When hiking up to Table Rock, you can choose between a shorter and steeper climb or a longer and easier climb. Either route you take, you will find a beautiful view of the surrounding area, including the well-known Balsams Resort, one of NH’s grand resorts that has been closed for years and is in the early stages of re-opening and expanding.
Enjoy a picnic or stop and take some photos.
Route 3
For a nice drive through the North Country, consider a drive to the Canadian Border along Route 3. Start your adventure in Pittsburg, New Hampshire and head North. This is an optimal route for a possible moose sighting! If you want to make the most of your drive home from, make sure to take Route 3 South. You can wind alongside the Connecticut River for miles and with Moose Muck Coffee House and Le Rendez Vous French Bakery there are plenty of options to fuel up on some delicious goodies before dinner at Parsons Street!
See the leaves change from a new perspective, by ATV.
The ATV Experience
For those that love adventure or a new experience, there are many scenic stops and trails for an ATV rides through the fall leaves. It is an excellent way to get out and into the woods for all ages and abilities. Your ATV experience could take you to Shatney Mountain overlooking Back Lake. If a great waterfall is something you want to see, consider heading to Beaver Brook Falls viewing area. You might take your family on an OHRV ride to Diamond Pond or even towards Dixville Peaks to see the wind turbines. With access to the Ride The Wilds trail network the possibilities for premier trail riding are endless. If the sound of cruising through the the Northeast’s largest interconnected ATV trail system sounds like a dream come true, but you don’t actually own an ATV, you are in luck as well. Bear Rock Adventures in Pittsburg, NH has an entire fleet of the latest model Polaris ATV’s and side-by-sides, along with all the expertise and gear to set you up for an amazing adventure. And if all that sounds great, but you want to keep your wheeled adventures on the paved roads, they have added a fleet of Polaris Slingshot© open air roadsters that will certainly add a new dimension of fun to even the most experienced leaf-peeping aficionado.
Wake Up Call
Whether you are looking at the transformative colors of a sugar maple (reds, oranges, yellows, and vibrant pinks), the bright yellow of the beech trees, or the deeper red of the oak trees there is nothing like being surrounded by the trees as they change in the fall. The towns and villages of the North Country Chamber of Commerce are at the heart of what many consider the premier destination in the country to experience one of nature's most spectacular displays. While many come here solely for this once a year explosion of color, it’s worth noting that this area is also an outdoor lover’s dream for nature based adventures year-round.
While you are enjoying the area's fall foliage there are many local community events and activities to keep you occupied while visiting the North Country. Enjoy an afternoon browsing the many unique shops in downtown Colebrook, take in a show at the Tillotson Center and view the art on display in the gallery before the show starts, or enjoy an afternoon at the North Country Community Recreation Center with the family. If you’ve never visited this part of the world before, consider this year’s foliage season as your colorful wake up call to start exploring one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in the country. Just be sure to not hit the snooze button, like most amazing displays in nature, peak foliage won’t last long, and it will be a whole year before you get another chance.
While you are enjoying the area's fall foliage there are many local community events and activities to keep you occupied while visiting the North Country. Enjoy an afternoon browsing the many unique shops in downtown Colebrook, take in a show at the Tillotson Center and view the art on display in the gallery before the show starts, or enjoy an afternoon at the North Country Community Recreation Center with the family. If you’ve never visited this part of the world before, consider this year’s foliage season as your colorful wake up call to start exploring one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in the country. Just be sure to not hit the snooze button, like most amazing displays in nature, peak foliage won’t last long, and it will be a whole year before you get another chance.
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Paid in part by the State of New Hampshire.
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