A Guide to Driving the Kancamagus Highway (Epic Fall Scenic Drive in New Hampshire)
August 5, 2025
This is one of the best scenic drives on a fall trip to New England! The Kancamagus Highway, or known as “The Kanc” for short, is a 35-mile stretch of road in the New Hampshire White Mountains. It connects the small towns of Lincoln and Conway and is a fantastic place to see fall foliage, plus there are some great hiking trails along the way.
Use this guide to plan an epic drive on the Kanc Highway! It’s based on my experience of doing this drive multiple times in fall of 2022.
Tips for Driving the Kancamagus Highway
- The Guide Along audio tour of the Kancamagus Highway is the perfect way to learn about the route, plus get advice on stops along the way. I’ve listened to their tours in several US national parks, and they’re always great.
- You cannot land a drone within a quarter mile of the road.
- Allow some extra time for traffic and construction. This road and the parking lots can get really crowded during the day.
- Please obey parking rules, stay on the trails, pack out all trash and respect others and wildlife when visiting this area.
How much does it cost to drive the Kancamagus Highway?
There are $5 parking fees for many of the stops along The Kanc Highway. However, the fee is covered with the America the Beautiful Pass (if you’ll be visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, this pass will pay for itself!).
Will you have cell reception on the Kancamagus Highway?
You will have little or no cell service on the drive. I recommend downloading offline maps ahead of time.
How long should you allow to drive the Kancamagus Highway?
If you’d like to go on a couple hikes in addition to the scenic stops, I recommend spending at least half a day driving the Kanc Highway. You could easily spend a full day if you do multiple trails and take your time.
If you’re just planning to stop at the viewpoints and don’t want to hike, it will probably take you a couple hours.
When should you visit the Kanc Highway?
The most popular time to do this drive in the fall, as you will likely get to enjoy some of the best fall foliage in the world. The timing of peak foliage can vary year to year, but the end of September to mid-October tends to be the best time. Check the Visit NH peak foliage map as your trip approaches to see real time updates.
Of course, this drive is also beautiful at other times of year and summer is another great time for hiking. During the winter, the road is maintained but some trailheads are closed due to ice and snow.
The Best Stops on the Kancamagus Highway
In order of West to East (Lincoln to Conway).
Lincoln Woods
This is the trailhead to longer hikes. However, on a quick stop, you can walk across a suspension bridge and admire views of the East Branch Pemigewasset River.
Otter Rocks
Otter Rocks is a great place to relax on a warm day and admire the water. There are picnic tables and lots of small rocks along the river to climb around. It’s a popular swimming spot in the summer.
Hancock Overlook
This overlook is located on a hairpin turn and has some nice views. It faces west, making it a good spot for sunset.
Panoramic Overlook
This is another quick overlook that faces South. There is no sign, it’s a pull off next to the road.
Pemigewasset Overlook
This overlook has expansive views and is another great spot for sunset.
CL Graham Wangan Overlook
The CL Graham Wangam Overlook is one of my favorite overlooks, and a wonderful viewpoint to take in the vibrant leaves in the fall. It’s a good viewpoint for sunrise.
Lily Pond
Lily Pond is a quick stop that has a small area to park off the road. You can walk through a short and narrow path to see the lake, which can have a stunning reflection in still conditions.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for wildlife! I saw a moose right next to the road at dusk while driving the Kanc Highway.
Sugar Hill Scenic Vista
This is a lovely overlook that faces North. You can see lots of mountains from this point.
Sabbaday Falls
I highly recommend hiking to Sabbaday Falls during your drive on the Kancamagus Highway! It’s a short and easy trail with a great payoff. The waterfall is unique because it takes a sharp turn as it cascades down a rocky wall.
The trail is 0.7 miles with about 100 feet of elevation gain. It has a gradual incline and some benches along the way. When you reach the falls, you have the option to take some steps up to see the waterfall from above. This is a wheelchair accessible trail (although steep in some places) and is the perfect spot to stretch your legs.
The parking lot may fill up during peak times, so I recommend getting to this spot early.
Bear Notch Road
Take a side quest on a spur road to enjoy more scenic overlooks. Bear Notch Road has 3 scenic overlooks and will take about 20-25 minutes for you to visit all 3. It’s a peaceful area that receives less crowds than the main Kanc Highway. Keep in mind that the road is not maintained in the winter.
Champney Falls Trailhead
Champney Falls is a slightly longer trail, but I highly recommend it if you have time. The 3.3 miles hike leads to a beautiful waterfall that flows down a tall, flat slab of rock.
The trail includes some river crossings (you can cross using rocks) and at the end, you’ll need to do some rock hopping to get a good view of the waterfall.
I loved how unique this waterfall was, and it was definitely a highlight of the Kanc Highway.
Rocky Gorge
Rocky Gorge is one of the best stops on The Kanc Highway. You can take a short walk to a bridge that extends over the Swift River and admire water carving through rock. You can also walk out onto the rocks for a closer look, but be careful not to get too close to the flowing water.
Lower Falls
Lower Falls is another quick stop that is kind of similar to Rocky Gorge, but worth a stop. You’ll get to see a small waterfall after a short walk from the parking lot. I loved this viewpoint with the colorful foliage in the fall.
Boulder Loop Trail
The Boulder Loop trail is another great, moderate hike located off of the Kanc Highway. The loop traverses through the forest with views of huge boulders along the way. At the top, there is a great viewpoint looking out at a mountain vista.
The trail is a bit steep at times, so it makes a good challenge. I loved this trail for its lack of crowds and nice views.
You can park at two different parking lots for the Boulder Loop, either before or after the covered bridge. The Albany Covered Bridge is a classic covered bridge that was first constructed in 1858. It’s worth a quick stop even if you’re not planning on hiking the Boulder Loop.
Cheese Louise
If you’ve worked up an appetite on your scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway, The Cheese Louise Commissary is the perfect place to stop right before you reach the town of Conway. They are known for their unique grilled cheese offerings and soups. I loved the Godmother, which had pesto, tomato, balsamic glaze and tomato with fresh mozzarella. They also have gluten free and vegan options.
More Things To Do in the New Hampshire White Mountains
- Visit Flume Gorge, which features waterfalls, covered bridges and more. It’s best to make an advanced reservation for this park.
- Drive to the top of Mt Washington (or take the Cog Railway).
- Go on a nearby hike! One that I recommend is Mount Willard (3.1 miles).
Learn about the best day hikes in the New Hampshire White Mountains
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an epic road trip on the Kanc Highway! From stunning fall foliage to waterfalls, this is one of the best scenic fall drives in New England.
For more New England Travel Guides, check out these blogs:
- The Best Things To Do in the New Hampshire White Mountains
- The Best Hiking Trails in the New Hampshire White Mountains
- How to Spend One Day in Boston
- How to Spend 3 Days in Acadia National Park
- The Ultimate Fall Guide to Acadia National Park
- The Perfect Day Trip to Connecticut
- The Perfect 5 Day New England Road Trip
- How to Spend 1 Day in Rhode Island
- An Epic 10 Day New England Road Trip
Thanks for Reading!
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