White Mountain National Forest

Understand

• White Mountain National Forest website

Ranger Offices

• Gorham Office, 300 Glen Rd., Gorham, NH, Phone: +1 603 466-2713. May-Oct daily 8AM-4:30PM; Nov-Apr M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and fully accessible restrooms.
• Plymouth Office, 1171 NH Route 175, Holderness, NH, Phone: +1 603 536-1315. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services and accessible restrooms.
• Bethlehem Office, 660 Trudeau Rd., Bethlehem, NH, Phone: +1 603 869-2626. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor information services (not fully accessible) and outdoor accessible vault toilets.

Visitor Centers

• Campton Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 28, Campton, NH, Phone: +1 603 726-3804. Daily 9AM-5PM. Forest information, parking passes, and restrooms.
• Evans Notch Information Center, 18 Mayville Road, Bethel, Maine, Phone: +1 207 824-2134. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visitor Information Services and accessible public restroom.
• Gateway Visitor Center, Interstate 93, Exit 32, Lincoln, NH, Phone: +1 603 745-3816. Daily 8:30AM-5PM. Has a full interpretive display that provides a history of the Forest and its evolution. Tactile, hands-on displays as well as an audio-described tour. Restrooms.
• Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln, NH, Phone: +1 603 630-5190, Daily 8AM-3:30PM. Located 5 miles east of Lincoln, this site serves as the starting point for outdoor activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. There is a parking area, visitor information cabin, trailhead for the Lincoln Woods Trail, a 180 foot (55 m) suspension bridge, and flush toilet facilities, all wheelchair accessible. A pedestrian walkway, accessible from the parking area, offers views up the Pemigewasset River.

History

Sold by the State of New Hampshire to large logging companies in 1867, the WMNF area was a central part of the industry that had 1832 sawmills and 17 logging railroads in the state of New Hampshire. The Weeks Act permitted the repurchase of the lands starting in 1914 with the original purchase of 7,000 acres (28.32 km²). Today the White Mountain National Forest has grown to 800,000 acres (3,237 km²).

Due to the early settlement of the area the Forest contains many historical sites. Early day farms, logging camps, mills, factories, CCC camps, old railroads, cemeteries. The Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micman, and Maliseet, and other tribes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont see the White Mountains as a spiritual place. The highest peak in the northeast, Mt. Washington, and the largest expanse of alpine area in the eastern U.S. were heavily used for vision quests.

Landscape

Several mountain ranges are in the forest, including the Presidential Range. Mount Washington's summit, at 6,288 ft (1916.6 m), is the highest peak in New England. The Forest includes four designated wilderness areas in which no logging is allowed.

Flora and fauna

• The White Mountain National Forest sees 184 species of birds: 38 species year round, 35 migrants or winter species, and 110 during the summer months.
• Common mammals include; black bears, bobcats, deer, moose, coyote, gray and red foxes, fishers, minks, pine marten, raccoons, porcupines and beavers. These are the common mammals you could see while hiking.
• A wildlife viewing blind is located near Deer Hill in Maine.
• Peregrine Falcons almost 60 captive-bred falcons were released from cliff sites. Adult peregrines have returned to some cliffs to raise their young.
• Moose sightings - Kancamagus Highway and northernmost sections of the White Mountains are well known for viewings. They are a frequent collision hazard on area highways. Often they can be spotted in marshy areas that collect road salt run-off.

Climate

The White Mountains have a cold, wet climate befitting their location near the Canadian border. In the valleys, summers are mild (highs in the 70s are typical) and humid, while winters are chilly and snowy, with most high temperatures below freezing. Higher locations are even colder and wetter and receive massive amounts of snowfall in winter months.

Get in

By car

Interstate 93 passes through the Forest and is a direct route from Boston. Interstate 91 approaches near to the west side of the Forest. RT. 16 North

By air

• Logan International Airport in Boston.
• Manchester - Boston Regional Airport in Manchester. Closer, but with fewer airlines and no international service.

Fees and permits

• User fees may be charged for specific uses: boat ramps, swimming facilities, campgrounds, etc.
• Parking: Areas requiring a pass are signed as fee areas. Passes are available at many of these areas.

Stay safe

For any emergency in White Mountain National Forest, dial 911 from any phone.

Wildlife

Black bears, moose and deer roam the White Mountains. Never leave food or scented items (deodorant, air fresheners) in your car or bring it into your tent. Bears have a keen sense of smell and will detect them. Do not approach animals, particularly young ones, as the parent may be nearby. To avoid bear encounters while hiking, make noise so that the animal knows you are coming. Give all animals their space, and never feed any park wildlife. Stay alert and do not exceed the speed limit while driving. Hundreds of moose are hit each year, with fatal results for some drivers.

Weather

Other natural dangers in the park come from the weather. Hypothermia is a concern at higher elevations where temperatures can drop below freezing throughout the year. Dress in layers, and be prepared for storms and rapid changes in temperature. When storms are approaching avoid open areas such as the summits of the park's many granite domes; lightning strikes these areas regularly. If a storm does approach, get off of high, open ground. When hiking wear sturdy footwear and drink plenty of water — if you are thirsty, that is an early sign of dehydration.

Go next

Vermont or the Maine Southern Coast are good next stops.