Looking for an easy way to see the beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains on your family trip to New England, but don’t know where to start? That was my travel planning dilemma during spring of 2025 at least until I discovered this best of New England – the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire.
If you have one day in New Hampshire, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway should be the at the top of your list of things to do in New Hampshire. This scenic drive will take you across the New Hampshire, filling your car windows with the perfect blend of White Mountain views, waterfalls, hiking trails, and covered bridges.
Known locally as “The Kanc,” this 34.5-mile stretch of New Hampshire Highway 112 runs east from Conway, NH west to Lincoln, NH. Whether your New Hampshire trip needs a full day adventure or simply a two hour drive, the Kancamagus Highway foliage fills every view with green making it one of the most beautiful scenic drives in New England. This two-lane west-to-east highway in the White Mountains follows the Swift River. In May, the Kancamagus was beautiful; I can’t even begin to imagine the Kancamagus Highway fall foliage!
The Kancamagus is a dream destination for nature-loving families and your New Hampshire visit. Whether on a US road trip or roadschooling or taking a weekend New England drive, this is your place. In this family New Hampshire travel guide about all things Kancamagus, you’ll find the best Kancamagus stops we you travel east to west (Conway to Lincoln), plus travel logistics, kid-favorite stops, and a quick historical overview.
Bonus tip: Save time to hike through Flume Gorge in Lincoln, New Hampshire! It’s the perfect way to get into nature and out of the car.
~~~> Jump here for Travel Tips for Families Driving the Kancamagus! These you need to know before setting out.
Keep reading for all the info I wish I had known before exploring the Kanc in New Hampshire. A day on this scenic highway in New Hampshire is very straight forward if you know what to expect – so save this guide for the best stop on the Kancamagus!
Favorite Kancamagus Highway Attractions
Connecting Lincoln, NH in the west to Conway, NH on the east, this relatively horizontal road cuts through the White Mountain National Forest. This road trip mom drove NH 112 in a couple of hours. Here are real Mom tips for a day on the Kanc and this top New Hampshire attraction. Plan to linger. The stops below are exactly what our family did.
- Saco Ranger Station / Conway National Forest Info Center
- Albany Covered Bridge
- Lower Falls Recreation Site
- Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
- Sabbaday Falls
A Brief History of the Kancamagus Scenic Byway
Named after Kancamagus (“The Fearless One”), the last Sagamore (chief) of the Pennacook people, this route follows ancient Native American trails through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The modern road was completed in 1959. Since then, it has become a National Scenic Byway and one of the top fall foliage drives in the U.S.
How to Plan a Family Day on the Kanc
If you are limited on time (as we were), these were the Kancamagus Highway attractions visited, and our family of six was finished in about two hours. However, these adventure kids could have spent a lot longer if they had plenty of time to climb rocks and skip stones in the river. If it’s warm outside and you have adventurous people in your family, bring a picnic and some dry clothes.
If you just want to see the pretty places, you can drive the Kanc in an hour: see the covered bridge, walk to the lower falls, and look across from the mountain overlooks.
Saco Ranger Station / Conway National Forest Info Center
If you’re starting from the east, you will find the Saco Ranger Station right after you drive through the tiny town of Conway, New Hampshire. This small National Forest headquarters will be staffed with a ranger who can help you with any of your questions as well as provide you with a printed Kanc Map. This is also your last restroom break, a good place to refill your water bottles, and grab your souvenir postcard while you’re here.
If you want to see the full map of the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, save this detailed map of the Kancamagus Drive. It’s the exact same as you would get at the Saco Ranger Station. And essential to have due to the lack of cell signal on the Kanc.
Consider even resetting your trip odometer so you know exactly when you’re approaching your next stop. However, there were always signs from the road leading to a large paved parking lot. It’s not difficult to find your next stop.
Albany Covered Bridge
New England travel means looking for covered bridges, and the Kanc covered bridge is idea. Just outside Conway, the Albany Covered Bridge of the Kancamagus Highway was our first stop. At the parking lot, it’s a quick walk on the road to the 1858 covered bridge or step into the forest to see this red bridge from the side. As this Kanc covered bridge is still active with cars heading up to a higher campground, make sure the kids watch for traffic.
This wooden bridge is a fifteen minute stop for photos, reading the plaque about the New England history of the road, and strolling along the river. If you have kids who want to get wet, this is right on the river and is shaded. This is stop is perfect for a warm day with plenty of shade for wetting your feet and watching small kids splash around.
Lower Falls Recreation Site
With multiple Kancamagus Highway waterfalls, each waterfalls stop is very different. Plan to stop at several. Your next stop is the Lower Falls Kancamagus Highway.
This was probably the favorite stop along the Kancamagus, and the kids would have loved to stay for longer. Although some areas have rapidly flowing water, there are also quiet pools for sitting in water or for wading. With only short falls in one area, most of this stop is flat almost-continuous large rocks perfect for walking and hopping from rock to rock.
With several picnic tables for a family picnic, the Lower Falls is a great place for a lunch stop on your New Hampshire vacation. Although the water will be cold most of the year, this is a great place for safe water play or wading in summer. There is even a restroom for changing wet clothes if needed.
If this you didn’t manage to get a pass at the Sago Ranger Station, there a kiosk here to pay digitally for a pass.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, located along the famous Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, is a dramatic view for families exploring the White Mountains. Here, the Swift River tumbles through narrow granite walls to create powerful cascades and pools. Take a short walk to cross the footbridge and look down at the water. While swimming is not allowed due to dangerous currents, the area is perfect for stretching your legs, enjoying a picnic, and taking in the mountain scenery.
Kanc’s Sabbaday Falls
Sabbaday Falls is one of the most popular family hikes on the Kanc. Without any difficult spots, this is a great hike for kids of all ages. This was the longest walk of all the Kanc. But this walk along a creek through a peaceful forest was well worth it. Trail length is listed at 0.7 miles.
With a slight incline up the dirt path, you have to hike about half a mile to get up to the first view of the waterfall. Toward the end, the path splits with one path headed to the right and steeper and path 2 toward the left. These make a circle and connect; it’s just a matter of if you want to go up stairs or down them. You can avoid stairs if needed by taking the same steep path both ways.
To the left, you end up facing cliffs at the bottom of the falls and can then go up stairs to the top. To the right, you cross a boardwalk to get to the start of the falls. There was an extra “off-trail” path back behind the falls, but we didn’t explore it.
Kancamagus Pass Overlooks
The rest of the Kanc Highway has four official scenic overlooks. Plan to embrace detours and look out. The New Hampshire fall foliage from these stops in the fall would be amazing!
Best Picnic Areas on the Kancamagus
Although there aren’t any places to buy food along the pass, there are lots of peaceful places for eating your snack.
- Covered Bridge – Grab a blanket and sit on the bank of this calm part of the Flame River.
- Lower Falls Picnic Area – Best all-around stop for lunch, play, and relaxing by the river.
- Rocky Gorge – Quiet, shady, with good spots to spread out.
- Hancock Scenic Overlook – No tables, but unbeatable views for a snack while looking out across the White Mountains.
Travel Tips for Families Driving the Kancamagus
- Get gas first. The Kancamagus drive is a winding two lane preserved road. There aren’t any gas stations or stores once your get on the drive. Make sure you fill up in Conway or Lincoln before getting on the road.
- No cell service. Make sure you download a map on your phone or bring a paper map with you. If traveling with a group, make a plan because you may not be able to contact them as needed. There are some available at the Saco Ranger Station.
- Restrooms are a go! Most major stops along the Kanc with have a paved parking lot, small information sign, and pit potties (or vault toilets). When we were there, they were all clean and well-stocked with toilet paper. However, you know how it goes in the summer. Don’t send off your little kid unattended, bring the extra toilet paper, and carry the hand sanitizer.
- Lands Pass is Required: A $5 per day White Mountain National Forest pass (buy at kiosks or online) is required to be displayed on your dashboard. If you didn’t get one at the Saco Ranger Station, there was one at at your first stop at the Albany Covered Bridge allowing you to pay at the kiosk with the paper envelope and cash. The Upper Falls destination even had a credit card option if you haven’t paid before you get there.
- National Park Pass works! If you have an annual America the Beautiful Pass for the National Park System, you’re covered. And if you have a 4th grader, make sure you have already printed and activated the Every Kid Outdoors Program somewhere else. Simply display the annual hanger on your mirror.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Kancamagus?
Yes! The views would be spectacular any time of year.
- Fall (late Sept–mid Oct): It would have incredible foliage everywhere! Some of the rangers did warn of crowds however.
- Summer: Great for hiking and getting in the water. Our May trip had very low crowds.
- Winter: Peaceful. Even though it’s contrary to my Southern thinking, the official website says that the Kanc Pass is maintained and kept open all year round.
Is the Kancamagus Road steep?
Although the Kanc is curvy and steep at times, there are no sharp drop off on the edges, and there are guardrails where appropriate. I don’t like “scary” roads, and this one wasn’t one. This is road through the New Hampshire mountains, but it’s not bad at all. There are also plenty of pull over areas if you want to go slower, and let people pass you.
References and Resources
For more info, check out these sources.
- U.S. Forest Service – White Mountain National Forest Official White Mountain site with details on hiking trails, recreation passes, and safety tips for visiting the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.
- New Hampshire DOT – Scenic Byways Program Covers the history and scenic value of the DOT Kancamagus Highway, including elevation and byway designation details.
- Visit White Mountains Tourism guide with seasonal tips, maps, and suggested stops along the White Mountain route.
- New England Historical Society – History of Kancamagus Brief history of Chief Kancamagus and the Native American legacy behind the highway’s name on this history site.
- NH State Parks Interactive maps and recreation site information near the Kancamagus Scenic Byway through the New Hampshire State Park site.
Is the Kancamagus Highway worth it?
Yes! Traveling the Kancamagus Scenic Byway with kids offers everything a family could want: scenic views, safe places to explore nature, and quiet moments to unplug. Whether you’re on a fall foliage road trip, a summer getaway, or just passing through, the Kanc delivers beauty and adventure at every turn.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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