Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, the New Hampshire town of Lincoln draws many visitors to its scenic surroundings, which are dotted with mountains, rivers, and forests. The many ways to explore the area include canoeing, kayaking, and rafting on the Pemigewasset River. Hiking and camping at the National Forest campsites along the Kancamagus Highway, a scenic route stretching from Lincoln to Conway, are also popular pursuits, as is skiing on Loon Mountain in the colder months.
Loon Mountain
Just north of town, Loon Mountain is an all-season recreation area that is particularly popular in winter. The mountain has 61 ski trails, with eight tree-skiing areas, six terrain parks, a superpipe, and a halfpipe. Off the slopes, there’s also snowshoeing and cross-country trails, skating, tubing, and a winter zipline.
Flume Gorge
Around five miles north of town, in Franconia Notch State Park, a boardwalk leads visitors through Flume Gorge, a natural chasm that extends 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The path is an easy loop hike and takes you past several waterfalls and natural cave-like rocks. If you want to set up camp nearby, Franconia Notch has two sites to choose from.
Woodstock
The charming town of Woodstock sits just south of Lincoln and has a good selection of places to eat and drink. Outdoor adventurers will find easy access to hikes up Mount Lafayette, Cannon Mountain, and Bald Mountain.
While spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the trails and river activities on offer, fall and winter have their own appeal. Fall sees the landscape busting into rich colors and brings the annual New Hampshire Highland Games, which are held annually in September. Winter offers an abundance of snowy activities, from skiing on Loon Mountain to snowshoeing through the White Mountain National Forest.