Our Story

15,000 years ago, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the receding ice age formed Franconia Notch, a mountain pass, between the Kinsman and Franconia Mountain Ranges. It is a land of 5000 feet mountain peaks, waterfalls, pristine lakes, and rivers. Abundant wildlife including Moose, Bears, Wild Turkeys and 70 Species of Songbirds call Franconia Notch home.

The Old Man of the Mountain a geological rock formation, was discovered in 1805 followed by the Flume Gorge in 1808. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne published a story called "The Great Stone Face" in 1850 popularizing the area. Travelers would come for the summer and stay in grand hotels such Profile House, Sunset Hill House and Pecketts on the Hill. Actress Bette Davis was a frequent guest at Pecketts on the Hill and the Caramat, now operating as the Sugar Hill Inn, before building her own dream home in Sugar Hill.

After the Profile House burnt down and the Flume's operators failed to make it a commercial success, the area was threaten with destruction by logging interests. A nationwide campaign to save the area raised over $200,000 and with matching funds from the State of New Hampshire, Franconia Notch State Park was formed in 1928.

The 6,692 acre Franconia Notch State Park and the even larger adjoining White Mountain National Forest preserves this land for all time and creates a four season destination to celebrate the great outdoors.

The towns of Franconia, Sugar Hill and Easton on the north side of Franconia Notch with their deep tradition of hospitality have retained their rural small town New England feel. To quote Robert Frost, Franconia's most famous Poet, "it's... restful just to think about New Hampshire."  The air is always mountain fresh and the nightly stars are amazingly bright. Dramatic mountain views are the backdrop to white church steeples, stone walls and wildflowers, rolling farm land, general stores, scenic back roads, pristine rivers and maple sugaring.

In 1929 America's first ski school opened in Sugar Hill. Cannon Mountain in 1933 opened the first racing trail in America. The mountain gained lift service with the construction of the first aerial tramway in North America, in 1938. US Olympic skier Bode Miller grew up skiing at Cannon. Bretton Woods and Loon are also close by. To learn more about the area's rich skiing history, a visit to the New England Ski Museum is a must.

Franconia Notch is the perfect four season destination attracting families, international visitors and couples. Those who came as children are now bringing their families back to experience the awesomeness of the White Mountains.

The Holiday season invites visitors to rediscover the joys of an old fashioned Christmas. As snow turns the mountains white, down hill skiers, snowshoers, cross country skiers and snowmobilers will find a winter wonderland.

Early spring is all about maple syrup. Learn how maple syrup is made at the Rocks Estate and enjoy a maple themed dinner at a country inn. June is famous for destination weddings and the Lupine Festival.

In summer, discover waterfalls, swimming holes, covered bridges, scenic mountain peaks as you bike, hike, kayak or drive your way through the White Mountains.

Autumn is all about color. Every shade of green, yellow, orange, red and even hot pink can be seen in late September and October. Pick pumpkins and apples, drive New Hampshire's scenic by ways and sip warm cider by a roaring fire at a country inn.