The Best Fall Hikes in New Hampshire (Dog-Friendly, Easy to Hard)

Updated September 2026

Is there anything better than fall in New England? No. I’ve looked. Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and whole mountainsides doing the red-orange-yellow thing at once. After calling New England home for 7 years, I can say New Hampshire is one of the best places to be when that happens. The White Mountains, Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch get most of the attention, and they earn it.

New Englanders call the fall visitors “leaf peepers,” usually with a sigh, because of the traffic that comes with the leaves. I can’t blame anyone for coming, though. It’s worth it.

So load up the dogs. Here are the best fall hikes in New Hampshire, sorted by region and effort, with a dog rule for every single one. Rules vary more than you’d expect in this state.

This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend gear I actually use and love with my own dogs. Thanks for supporting The Well Worn Shoes! I appreciate you!

Planning the whole trip? This post covers hiking. For the drive itself, including the Kancamagus pullouts, route order and 2026 closures, see my Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip: A Six-State Foliage Loop. For even more indepth planning and itineraries check out my Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip – The Six-State Foliage Loop, Road Closures & Dog-Friendly Stops Guide (downloadable PDF).

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Quick Answers: New Hampshire Fall Hikes

• Best easy fall hike: Artists Bluff (1.5 mi). For water, Diana’s Baths.
• Best moderate fall hike: Mount Willard. The view looks straight down Crawford Notch.
• Best hard fall hike: Welch-Dickey Loop (go counterclockwise). For the big day, Franconia Ridge.
• Peak foliage in the White Mountains: usually late September at elevation, early to mid-October in the notches and valleys. Southern NH runs later.
• Dogs: allowed on leash on most trails listed here. Not allowed in the Flume Gorge, at Echo Lake Beach, at Lafayette Place Campground, or anywhere in Monadnock State Park.
• Parking: White Mountain National Forest fee sites are $5/day or $30/year. Franconia Notch trailhead lots are free but fill early.
• Worst weekend to hike: Indigenous Peoples’/Columbus Day weekend, October 10–12, 2026.

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New Hampshire Fall Hikes at a Glance

Hike	Region	Distance (RT)	Elevation Gain	Difficulty	Dogs?	Parking/Fee
Artists Bluff Loop	Franconia Notch	1.5 mi	390–436 ft	Easy-Moderate	Yes, leashed	Free state park lot
Lonesome Lake	Franconia Notch	3.1 mi	1,000 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Free (Lafayette Place)
Basin & Cascades to Kinsman Falls	Franconia Notch	1.2 mi (2.6 mi full trail)	300 ft (620 ft full trail)	Easy-Moderate	Yes, leashed	Free
Cloudland Falls (Falling Waters)	Franconia Notch	2.8 mi	900 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Free (Lafayette Place)
Mount Pemigewasset	Franconia Notch	2.8–3.4 mi	1,250 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Flume lot
Bridal Veil Falls	Franconia (Coppermine Trail)	4.8 mi	1,080 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Small lot, arrive early
Franconia Ridge Loop	Franconia Notch	8.9 mi	3,800–3,900 ft	Hard	Yes, leashed (tough for dogs)	Free (Lafayette Place)
Welch-Dickey Loop	Waterville Valley	4.4 mi	1,750–1,800 ft	Hard	Yes, leashed	WMNF $5/day
Sabbaday Falls	Kancamagus	0.7 mi	Minimal	Easy	Yes, leashed	WMNF $5/day
Boulder Loop	Kancamagus	2.7–3.1 mi	900–1,000 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	WMNF $5/day
Champney Falls	Kancamagus	3.3 mi	700 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	WMNF fee site
Mount Chocorua via Champney Brook	Kancamagus	7.5 mi	2,250 ft	Hard	Yes, leashed	WMNF fee site
Diana’s Baths	North Conway	1.2–1.5 mi	110 ft	Easy	Yes, leashed	WMNF $5/day
Glen Ellis Falls	Pinkham Notch	0.6 mi	80 ft	Easy	Yes, leashed	WMNF fee site
Shelburne Trail	Gorham/ Shelburne	1.9 mi	380 ft	Easy	Yes, leashed	Free roadside pull-off (small)
Mount Willard	Crawford Notch	3.2 mi	900 ft	Easy-Moderate	Yes, leashed	Crawford Depot
Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook	Crawford Notch	2.9 mi	800–885 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Donation kiosk
Arethusa Falls & Frankenstein Cliff	Crawford Notch	5.1 mi	1,600 ft	Moderate–Hard	Yes, leashed	Same lot
Ripley Falls	Crawford Notch	1.1 mi	310 ft	Easy	Yes, leashed	Free
Mount Major	Lakes Region	3.2–3.9 mi	1,140 ft	Moderate	Yes, leashed	Free lot, fills fast
Bald Mountain via Tudor & Tamposi	Monadnock Region (Antrim)	2.7 mi	875 ft	Moderate	Leashed	Free Audubon lot
Mount Monadnock	Monadnock Region	varies	1,700+ ft	Hard	No dogs	$15/vehicle

When Is Peak Foliage in New Hampshire?

Color moves two ways at once: north to south, and from the summits down to the valleys.

• Late September: the Great North Woods and the high White Mountain summits.
• Early to mid-October: the White Mountains proper, including Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch, and the Kancamagus. This is the classic window.
• Mid to late October: the Lakes Region (Mount Major) and the Monadnock Region (Willard Pond, Bald Mountain).

Forecasts for 2026 put the White Mountains’ peak somewhere around October 8–11. That’s a forecast, not a promise, so check Visit NH’s weekly foliage report the week you go.

My honest advice: pick the hike based on the effort you want, then pick the region based on where the color is that week. And if you miss peak, go south. Southern New Hampshire is often just getting started when the notches are done.

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Parking Passes, Fees and Shuttles (2026)

This is where fall hiking in New Hampshire trips people up. Different trailheads belong to different agencies, and each one has its own rules.

White Mountain National Forest fee sites (Welch-Dickey, Diana’s Baths, Sabbaday Falls, Boulder Loop, Lincoln Woods, Glen Ellis Falls, and most developed Kancamagus sites):

• Day pass: $5 per vehicle, paid at the self-serve envelope station or kiosk at the trailhead.
• Annual pass: $30. Household pass (two cars): $40.
• America the Beautiful pass ($80) is also valid and covers national parks.
• Most of the national forest is free. You only need a pass at developed fee sites, and ordinary roadside pullouts generally aren’t fee sites.

Franconia Notch State Park:

• No fee to drive the parkway or park at the hiking trailheads. The Flume Gorge and Echo Lake Beach charge admission.
• Lafayette Place (Lonesome Lake, Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge) fills early. Roadside parking along I-93 is illegal and now enforced.
• Hiker shuttle: runs Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through October 18, 2026, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. It costs $5 per person, round trip, and runs from the Cannon Mountain Tramway overflow lot (Exit 34B). Well-behaved dogs ride free.
• The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is closed for replacement in 2026, so don’t plan a “tram up, hike down” day.

Crawford Notch State Park: no official parking fee for the Arethusa or Ripley lots, but there’s a donation kiosk at Arethusa. Bring small bills.

Monadnock State Park: $15 per vehicle for day use. Reservations are recommended on fall weekends, and no pets.

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Dog Rules You Actually Need to Know

• White Mountain National Forest trails: dogs welcome. Keep them leashed around other people and wildlife, and pack out the poop bags.
• Franconia Notch State Park: dogs are allowed on hiking trails and in the designated dog walks at the Flume and Tramway lots. They’re not allowed in the Flume Gorge, at Echo Lake Beach, at Lafayette Place Campground, or on the tram.
• Crawford Notch State Park: leashed pets are allowed in all areas except inside the Willey House. Leashes can be no longer than 6 feet.
• Monadnock State Park: no pets anywhere in the park, including every trail inside the park boundary. It’s been state law since 1986, after dogs became the number one complaint from Monadnock hikers. Staff will ask you to leave.
• NH Audubon sanctuaries (Willard Pond): dogs are allowed at some sanctuaries, not all, and only on a short leash. Willard Pond has nesting loons, so keep dogs out of the water and away from the shoreline.
• Puppies: I learned this one the hard way on Welch-Dickey (more below). Keep dogs under a year old on easy trails.

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Tips for Fall Hiking in New Hampshire

• Go early or go midweek. Popular lots like Arethusa, Mount Major and Lafayette Place can fill by 9 a.m. on fall weekends. The leaf-peeper crowd doesn’t rise early.
• Skip or survive Columbus Day weekend. October 10–12, 2026 is peak color and peak traffic. If your dates are fixed, hike at sunrise and spend midday on a patio.
• Layer like it’s two seasons, because on a summit it is. A 60-degree trailhead can be a windy 40 degrees on an open ledge. Bring a real jacket and a beanie.
• Watch the daylight. Sunset gets earlier every day in October. Carry a headlamp even on “short” hikes.
• Leaves hide rocks and roots. Wet leaves on granite slabs are basically ice. Wear boots with real tread, especially on Welch-Dickey and Mount Major.
• Bring more water than you think. That goes double for the dogs (see: me, Welch-Dickey).
• Don’t trust cell service. Download offline maps before you leave Lincoln or North Conway.
• Rain isn’t a reason to cancel. Fog in the notches is its own kind of beautiful. More on that below.

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Franconia Notch Fall Hikes

Franconia Notch is the postcard. I-93 narrows into a two-lane parkway between the Kinsman and Franconia ranges. Nearly every trail here starts from a highway lot, so the logistics are easy, and the crowds are real.

1. Artists Bluff Loop

• Distance: 1.5 miles (loop)
• Elevation Gain: 390 ft
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (short and steep)
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Echo Lake / Peabody Base area off Route 18, Franconia

This trail gives you spectacular views for a pretty moderate climb. The elevation gain isn’t bad, and at only 1.5 miles, it’s manageable for most skill levels. It’s very dog-friendly. I hiked it with a young dog (6 months) and an older dog (10 years), and both were tired, but neither was destroyed.

The top has gorgeous views and a relatively flat area where you can hang out and enjoy the fall colors, with Echo Lake right below you and Cannon Mountain framing the notch. One of my favorite days in the White Mountains started right here: the Artists Bluff hike, coffee, and a pup cup for Bama. I still think about that day more than almost any bluebird day since.

Be aware that this hike is incredibly popular and gets very busy on weekends. The loop keeps the trail itself from feeling jammed, but the top does get crowded. People are good about not blocking the views. Go at sunrise or on a weekday for the same view with far fewer people.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 5 out of 5

2. Lonesome Lake Trail

• Distance: 3.1 miles (out and back from Lafayette Place)
• Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed (dogs aren’t allowed in the Lafayette Place Campground itself)
• Trailhead: Lafayette Place, I-93 southbound side

This is a steady climb that works for most skill levels. Lonesome Lake is gorgeous, and you get views of Franconia Ridge on the way up and across the water. Extra bonus: take your shoes off and dip your toes in the lake. The AMC Lonesome Lake Hut also has a restroom.

Crowd tip: Lafayette Place fills early on fall weekends. On weekends and holiday Mondays through October 18, 2026, the hiker shuttle from the Tramway overflow lot saves you the circling, and dogs ride free.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4.5 out of 5

3. The Basin & Basin-Cascades Trail to Kinsman Falls

• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 300 ft
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: The Basin parking area, I-93 (both directions)

This trail is partly paved near the Basin and very family-friendly. You’ll pass several cascading waterfalls and deep pools. Most of it is a moderate grade, with a few short steep sections. Don’t skip Kinsman Falls.

Tip: You can hike from the Basin up to Lonesome Lake and loop back on the Pemi Trail for a longer day.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

4. Cloudland Falls via Falling Waters Trail

• Distance: 2.8 miles (out and back to Cloudland Falls)
• Elevation Gain: 900 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate (rocky, with brook crossings)
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Lafayette Place/Old Bridle Path lot, I-93 northbound side

This trail passes three waterfalls in under a mile and a half: Stairs Falls, Swiftwater Falls, and the 80-foot Cloudland Falls. Turning around at Cloudland gives you most of Franconia Ridge’s best waterfall scenery without the ridge’s leg-destroying climb. Brook crossings can be tricky for small or water-shy dogs.

2026 note: the Falling Waters Trail near Cloudland Falls is being relocated, with about 5,100 feet of new trail and a new 1,900-foot spur to the falls. Download the relocation map from the state park website before you go, and expect mileage to differ from older apps.

5. Mount Pemigewasset (Indian Head)

• Distance: 2.8–3.4 miles, depending on the source
• Elevation Gain: 1,250 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed on the trail (not in the Flume Gorge)
• Trailhead: Flume Gorge Visitor Center lot, Exit 34A

This trail offers one of the best effort-to-view ratios in the notch. A steady, blue-blazed climb through the woods ends on open ledges at 2,557 feet, with views across Franconia Ridge and down the Pemigewasset Valley. It’s a good pick for dog owners who want to see the Flume, since dogs can’t go in the gorge but can do this. It’s also usually calmer than Artists Bluff.

6. Bridal Veil Falls (Coppermine Trail)

• Distance: 4.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,080 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Coppermine Trail off Route 116, Franconia [Vanessa: confirm trailhead]

This trail has a steady, gradual climb to the falls. It’s manageable even for younger kids, and definitely for dogs of all ages. The parking area is very small and fills up quickly, so get here early. It’s also one of the more secluded hikes around, and people often feel like they have the trail to themselves. Sometimes you get lucky and have the falls to yourself too.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4.5 out of 5

7. Franconia Ridge Loop (The Big One)

• Distance: 8.9 miles (Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path)
• Elevation Gain: 3,800–3,900 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Dog Friendly: Allowed on leash, but only for fit, experienced trail dogs. The ridge is exposed rock with no shade and no water.
• Trailhead: Lafayette Place / Old Bridle Path lot

This is the hike on everyone’s New Hampshire list, and it’s there for a reason. It crosses Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette, with about 2.5 miles of above-treeline ridge walking that feels more like the Rockies than New England. In fall, the valleys below turn color while the ridge itself can be cold, windy, and icy. Check the Mount Washington Observatory higher summits forecast and turn around if weather rolls in. Account for the 2026 Falling Waters relocation before you go (see Cloudland Falls above).

Foodie Guide For Franconia Notch

Black Mnt. Burger Co., 264 Main Street, Lincoln, NH

This is my favorite stop when hiking in Franconia Notch. On the Saturday I did Artists Bluff, it started raining just as I finished, so I grabbed lunch to go at Black Mnt. Burger Co. and went to find somewhere pretty to eat it. They have great burgers, and poutine if you’re into that. With dogs, there are several options around the White Mountains and Franconia Notch, but I generally sit outside with the pups. In a downpour, that wasn’t really an option.

Cold Mountain Café, 2015 Main Street, Bethlehem, NH

One Love Brewery, 25 South Mountain Drive, Lincoln, NH. The outdoor dining has been pup-friendly. [verify]

Woodstock Inn Brewery, 135 Main Street, North Woodstock, NH

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Waterville Valley & Kancamagus Highway Fall Hikes

The Kanc (Route 112) runs 34.5 miles between Lincoln and Conway through the White Mountain National Forest, with no gas and no services. Fill the tank first. For the pullouts and drive strategy, see my Kancamagus Highway pullouts and fall drive guide. Below are the hikes worth getting out of the car for.

8. Welch & Dickey Loop

• Distance: 4.4 miles (loop)
• Elevation Gain: 1,750 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed (not for puppies)
• Trailhead: Welch-Dickey Trailhead, Orris Road, Thornton/Waterville Valley. WMNF fee site, $5/day.

This is such a great trail. It was rated moderate when I hiked it, but AllTrails later bumped it up to hard. I agree with the new rating, and if it had been rated hard back then, I probably never would have tried it. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, which is generally moderate hikes. But I’m so glad I did Welch & Dickey! I had a 6-month-old pup and a 10-year-old pup with me.

Tip: Don’t do a hike this strenuous with a dog under a year old. I didn’t know that then. This hike didn’t do any damage to my puppy, but it could have. Easy trails are generally recommended for puppies.

Welch and Dickey has truly spectacular views and two summits. I highly recommend doing this hike counterclockwise. If you go clockwise, you’ll be coming down some pretty steep rock faces.

REPEAT: GO COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

It was a struggle for both dogs, but they really enjoyed it. We rested for a bit at each summit.

Tip: Pack plenty of water for your pups. This was the first hike ever where I ran out of water for the dogs. Thankfully, I had a CamelBak too, so I shared mine with them, and it wasn’t an issue.

There’s a little rock scrambling and some ledges, but don’t let that scare you. It’s doable for most skill levels, and there were a lot of dogs on the trail. Wet leaves on those open slabs are slick, though, so save this one for a dry day.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 10 out of 5

9. Sabbaday Falls

• Distance: 0.7 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Sabbaday Falls Day Use Area, Kancamagus Highway. WMNF fee site, spring through fall.

This trail is an easy, graded 15-minute walk to a narrow flume and a stair-stepped waterfall, with stone steps and railings at the top. It’s a good leg-stretch for puppies, seniors, and car-weary kids. Swimming isn’t allowed. It’s one of the busiest Kanc stops, so expect company.

10. Boulder Loop Trail

• Distance: 2.7–3.1 miles (loop)
• Elevation Gain: 900–1,000 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Passaconaway Road across the Albany Covered Bridge, off the Kancamagus. WMNF fee site, seasonal.

This trail passes giant glacial boulders on the way up to ledges looking over the Swift River valley and the Kancamagus. It’s one of the best view-for-effort hikes on the eastern Kanc. Many hikers go counterclockwise, and a short spur leads to the most open overlook. Fallen leaves can hide the yellow blazes, so watch for them at turns. Don’t park or linger on the covered bridge for photos. It’s an active road.

11. Champney Falls Trail

• Distance: 3.3 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 700 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Champney Falls Trailhead, Kancamagus Highway (about 11.5 miles west of Conway). Fee site [verify].

This trail follows Champney Brook through hardwood forest to a series of cascades about 70 feet long, named for the White Mountain painter Benjamin Champney. Honest caveat: after a dry late summer, the falls can be a trickle, so go after rain. The forest walk is the fall payoff either way.

12. Mount Chocorua via Champney Brook Trail

• Distance: 7.5 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 2,250 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Dog Friendly: Leashed, for experienced trail dogs. The summit cone is steep, exposed granite.
• Trailhead: Same as Champney Falls

This trail continues past Champney Falls to one of the most recognizable bare-rock summits in New Hampshire, with 360-degree views over the Sandwich Range and a sea of fall color. The final scramble can be tricky for dogs. Carry traction if there’s been an early freeze.

Note: The Lincoln Woods Trail (the flat, popular walk from the western Kanc) is closed through November 2026 for restoration, from Route 112 to the Osseo Trail junction, and fines for ignoring it are steep. Skip it this season.

Foodie Guide To Waterville Valley and Plymouth

Mad River Coffee House, 18 Six Flags Road, Campton, NH

Grab a coffee here before your hike. They make coffee ice cubes, so you get more flavor as they melt, not less. The coffee was fantastic, and the place was steadily busy the whole time we were there.

The Last Chair, 5 Route 25, Plymouth, NH

After your hike, go to The Last Chair. They have a great beer selection and excellent pizza. I love the goat cheese and arugula. They also have a great outdoor seating area where the dogs can hang out with you until the sun goes down.

The Dam Brewhouse, 1323 NH-175, Campton, NH

1766 Brewing Company, 61 Main Street, Plymouth, NH

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Mount Washington Valley & Pinkham Notch Fall Hikes (North Conway)

13. Diana’s Baths

• Distance: 1.2–1.5 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 110 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: West Side Road, North Conway. WMNF fee site year-round, $5/day.

Diana’s Baths are a must-see if you’re in the White Mountains. They sit along Lucy Brook as a series of cascades and pools about 75 feet tall in total. The path in is wide, graded, and accessible, which is exactly why it’s so busy. Overuse has become a real problem here, with erosion, litter, and people wandering off the trail, so stick to the path and pack everything out. Parking along the road is prohibited, so if the lot is full, come back later.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4.5 out of 5

14. Glen Ellis Falls

• Distance: 0.6 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 80 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Glen Ellis Falls Day Use Area, Route 16, Pinkham Notch. WMNF fee site.

This one barely qualifies as a hike, but if you’ve got a puppy, it’s perfect. The falls are stunning for such a short walk. There are stairs, and they’re worth it.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

15. Shelburne Trail

• Distance: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 380 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Heading east from Gorham, it’s about 1.5 miles past the Route 16 junction, on the south (right) side of the road.

This easy trail is perfect for dogs of all ages. It’s more a walk in the woods than a hike, and sometimes that’s all you need, especially with dogs. There are cold, crystal-clear pools all along the trail, and some are deep enough to jump into.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

Nearby brewery: Tuckerman Brewing Company, 64 Hobbs Street, Conway, NH [verify address and hours]

Nearby deli: J-Town Deli & Country Store, 174 Main Street, Jackson, NH [verify hours]

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Crawford Notch Fall Hikes

Crawford Notch is Franconia’s quieter, moodier cousin. Route 302 runs through a steep glacial pass with waterfalls on both walls, and leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.

16. Mount Willard

• Distance: 3.2 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 900 ft
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed (6-ft max in the state park)
• Trailhead: Behind the Crawford Depot (AMC information center), Route 302. [verify parking fee]

This trail may be the best view-for-effort hike in the state. A steady 1.6 miles past Centennial Pool ends at a cliff-top ledge looking straight down the length of Crawford Notch, with Route 302 and the railroad cutting through a bowl of color. The first stretch is wide with shallow brook crossings, so it’s a good “first real summit” for a young adult dog. The depot has restrooms. It gets very popular at peak, so go early.

17. Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook

• Distance: 2.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 800–885 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Arethusa Falls Road off Route 302 (upper lot, plus a larger lower lot for overflow)

Yes, another dog-friendly waterfall hike. The trail can get congested, but the falls are well worth it. Arethusa is one of the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire, with height estimates running from about 140 to 200 feet. You’ll see a lot of dogs on this trail, so if your dog is reactive, this might not be the one for you. You can also do it “backward” and hit Arethusa Falls before Bemis Brook, which makes for a more enjoyable hike.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

18. Arethusa Falls & Frankenstein Cliff Loop

• Distance: 5.1 miles (loop)
• Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed. The trail has steep sections, and the cliff edges aren’t fenced.
• Trailhead: Lower Arethusa Falls lot, Route 302

This loop adds a cliff-top view over the southern notch to the Arethusa waterfall hike. Most hikers go counterclockwise, climbing Frankenstein Cliff first, since that section is easier to go up than down. Most people at the trailhead are only heading to the falls, so the cliff half of the loop is noticeably quieter in peak season.

19. Ripley Falls

• Distance: 1.1 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 310 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed
• Trailhead: Off Route 302 via the Ethan Pond Trail

There are only a few steep spots on this fairly easy trail, and the views are worth it. The falls are a 100-foot cascade. It’s good for kids and dogs of any age.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

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Southern New Hampshire Fall Hikes (For Late October)

When the notches are past peak, head south. The Lakes and Monadnock regions often peak one to two weeks after the White Mountains.

20. Mount Major

• Distance: 3.2–3.9 miles (loop options)
• Elevation Gain: 1,140 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed. Pack out all dog waste (carry-in, carry-out property).
• Trailhead: Signed Forest Society lot on NH Route 11, Alton, about 4 miles north of Alton Bay

This trail climbs to a bare, rocky summit with one of the best views of Lake Winnipesaukee in the state, with the White Mountains lined up to the north on clear days. The Main Trail’s upper ledges are steep and slick when wet. The Brook Trail makes a gentler descent. It’s one of the most-hiked mountains in New Hampshire, so the lot fills early on fall weekends. Follow the signs if you end up on the shoulder, or you’ll get a ticket.

21. Bald Mountain Loop via Tudor & Tamposi Trails (Willard Pond)

• Distance: 2.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 875 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Friendly: Leashed [verify: NH Audubon says dogs are allowed only on some sanctuaries and must be on a short leash]
• Trailhead: dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary (NH Audubon), Antrim

This trail runs along the shore of Willard Pond, where you can often hear loons, and then climbs to ledges overlooking the pond and the Monadnock Region. It’s best from March through October. The colors usually peak later than in the White Mountains, around the second or third week of October, though that varies year to year. The shoreline section is famously rocky, so wear real boots. It’s a wildlife sanctuary, so keep dogs out of the pond and away from nesting loons.

Tip: Hikers have reported ground wasps near the summit in summer.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

Heads Up: Mount Monadnock (No Dogs)

Mount Monadnock is one of the most-climbed mountains in the world, and it’s gorgeous in fall. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in Monadnock State Park, including every trail on the mountain inside the park boundary. It’s been state law since 1986. Day use is $15 per vehicle, and it’s smart to reserve ahead on fall weekends. If you’re with dogs, Miller State Park (Pack Monadnock), about 20 minutes away, is a dog-friendly alternative with a view of Monadnock.

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If It Rains: Drive the Kancamagus Anyway

Driving the famous Kancamagus Highway is another great dog-friendly option in New Hampshire. I once took a rainy, moody drive on the Kanc, and I can promise you the fall colors are stunning even in the rain. Who doesn’t love a rainy fall afternoon with coffee and moody music? I do.

That day, we put on something moody and drove straight into the fog. You couldn’t see a thing from the overlooks. No sweeping views, no postcard. Just gray skies, wet roads, and neon maples glowing against all that gray. It’s still one of the best days I’ve had in the White Mountains. Turn up the emo music and enjoy it. Fog isn’t ruining the mountains. It is the mountains.

Fill the tank in Lincoln or Conway first. There’s nothing for 34.5 miles. For the pullouts worth stopping at, see my [full New England fall road trip guide].

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What to Pack for Fall Hiking in New Hampshire

I’m pretty basic when it comes to hiking clothes, but these are my favorites.

For You

• Hiking boots (waterproof, with real tread)
• Wool hiking socks (love these!)
• Sweatshirt or fleece
• Hiking leggings or hiking pants
• Rain jacket (ole’ reliable for me!)
• Beanie or baseball cap
• Headlamp (the days get short fast)

For the Hike

• Backpack
• Hydration reservoir
• Water bottle (love this one!)
• Snacks
• White Mountains map, plus offline maps on your phone

For the Dogs

• Harness
• Leash (6 feet max in NH state parks), or a hands-free leash with a belt
• Collapsible water bowl
• Dog first aid kit
• Biodegradable poop bags and a holder
• Summit snacks (our dogs got absolutely feral for these!)
• Tick spray (ticks are still active in fall)
• Paw protection wax
• Blaze orange vest or bandana. Fall is hunting season in parts of New Hampshire, and I’d rather be the dork in orange.

Welch-Dickey was the first time I ever ran out of water for my dogs on a trail. They were fine, and I gave them some of mine, but that’s why I carry so much water now.

Check out my Ultimate Dog Hiking Gear List for everything I actually carry.

For Photos

• Camera
• Wide-angle lens
• Telephoto/zoom lens
• Tripod

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fall hike in New Hampshire?

For most people, it’s Artists Bluff in Franconia Notch: 1.5 miles, about 400 feet of gain, and the view on half the state’s postcards. For a longer day, the Welch-Dickey Loop in Waterville Valley and Franconia Ridge are the standouts.

When is peak fall foliage in New Hampshire’s White Mountains?

Usually late September at the highest elevations and early to mid-October in the notches and valleys. Check Visit NH’s weekly foliage report before you go, because timing shifts every year.

What are the best easy fall hikes in New Hampshire?

Artists Bluff, Diana’s Baths, Sabbaday Falls, Glen Ellis Falls, Ripley Falls, and Mount Willard. Mount Willard has more climbing, but the grade is steady, and it’s short.

Are dogs allowed on hiking trails in Franconia Notch State Park?

Yes. Leashed dogs are allowed on Franconia Notch hiking trails such as Artists Bluff, Lonesome Lake and Mount Pemigewasset, and in the designated dog walks at the Flume and Tramway lots. They are not allowed in the Flume Gorge, at Echo Lake Beach, at Lafayette Place Campground, or on the tram.

Can you bring a dog on Mount Monadnock?

No. Pets are prohibited everywhere in Monadnock State Park, including every trail on the mountain inside the park boundary.

Do you need a parking pass to hike in the White Mountains?

Only at developed White Mountain National Forest fee sites, such as Welch-Dickey, Diana’s Baths, Sabbaday Falls, and Boulder Loop. A day pass is $5 per vehicle, an annual pass is $30, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. Franconia Notch trailhead parking is free.

What are the best hikes off the Kancamagus Highway?

Sabbaday Falls (easy), Boulder Loop (moderate, great ledge views), Champney Falls (moderate), and Mount Chocorua via Champney Brook (hard). The Lincoln Woods Trail is closed through November 2026.

How do I avoid crowds on New Hampshire fall hikes?

Hike at sunrise or midweek, avoid Indigenous Peoples’/Columbus Day weekend (October 10–12, 2026), use the Franconia Notch hiker shuttle on weekends, and choose Crawford Notch or southern New Hampshire over Franconia Notch at peak.

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One Last Thing Before You Go

I hope you have the best trip to New Hampshire this fall. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss the White Mountain National Forest, Franconia Notch State Park, or Crawford Notch State Park. Have you been to New Hampshire in the fall? Which hike was your favorite?

Heading to Vermont next? Here’s my guide to Stowe, Vermont In Fall. And if you’re chasing color up the coast, Acadia In October is waiting for you!

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