The nearby town of Lincoln, NH offers a host of small, informal eating places, as well as a winery and a craft brewery вЂ“ and places to stay outside of the park. There are wooded trails that are challenging enough for thru-hikers, but still accessible for more casual day-hikers, families and mountain bikers вЂ“ with crystal-clear lakes for anglers and kayakers, too. The park stretches along 8 highway exits, and offers outdoor adventures suitable for everyone in the family. Lincoln, NH is about a 90 minute drive from Manchester ABOUT FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARKДЇranconia Notch State Park, located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, was the home of the famous Old Man of the Mountain, the same вЂњGreat Stone FaceвЂќ immortalized in literature by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster. I do not get paid for recommendations, all opinions on this site are my own. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will receive a small payment at no additional cost to you. Some of my posts contain affiliate links. In addition to the prehistoric beauty of the gorge, youвЂ™ll be splashed by waterfalls and cooled by mist, see huge Ice Age boulders, walk through historic covered bridges, and take in some beautiful mountain views. Though there are many more difficult hikes in the Franconia Notch area for seasoned hikers, the Flume Trail is an easy manicured walk for hikers of all ages and abilities.Д«ut donвЂ™t think youвЂ™ll be bored because itвЂ™s an easier hike.

I went on my own, but walking the self-guided 2-mile Flume Trail through the Flume Gorge is a great way to spend some time outdoors with the whole family.

I returned last week from my second visit (in the past year!) to the area вЂ“ the first was early last November, and a freak storm had covered the place deep in snow, so I wasnвЂ™t able to hike very far.Д«ut my most recent visit, in early May, was perfect weather for visiting the gorge, and well worth the return trip! ItвЂ™s something you really have to see for yourself to appreciate.

Avalanche Falls in the Flume GorgeД®ight hundred feet long and about 20 feet from side to side at its widest, with granite walls 90 feet high, the Flume feels like youвЂ™ve entered a different world or stepped back in time. The Flume Gorge natural area in New HampshireвЂ™s Franconia Notch State Park is spectacular and pictures just donвЂ™t do it justice.

The flume gorge