7 Best Things to Do in Dixville Notch State Park: Waterfalls and Hiking Trails

Dixville Notch State Park is in the Great North Woods in New Hampshire and has become increasingly popular because of its beautiful views. You can enjoy driving its scenic drive, exploring its waterfalls, or hiking to stunning viewpoints. And the best part? You can visit year-round! Although fall is the most popular time to visit, it offers beautiful views every season.

The best thing about Dixville Notch State Park is it offers many fun things to do for the entire family. Although hiking is one of the best ways to experience its beauty, you can enjoy roadside overlooks and waterfalls. If you want to visit Dixville Notch State Park, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Dixville Notch State Park!

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Tips for Visiting Dixville Notch State Park

Dixville Notch State Park does not have many nearby amenities. I recommend packing all food, water, and anything else you need before you head into Dixville Notch State Park. The closest towns are Errol and Colebrook, and both do not have many amenities.
The hiking trails in Dixville Notch State Park are rugged. They have roots and rocks, so it is crucial to have supportive shoes with traction. Even the easy hikes have obstacles.
The weather in Dixville Notch State Park can change quickly. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable. It could be a sunny and warm day in the morning and change into a windy and rainy day within a few hours. It is essential to check the weather before starting the hike.
Many trailhead parking lots fill up quickly, especially in the fall. I recommend arriving at the most popular trails in the morning to secure a parking spot.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Best Time to Visit Dixville Notch State Park

Summer is one of the best times to visit Dixville Notch State Park because the weather is beautiful, and the trails are snow-free. Although the mountains tend to be cooler than other parts of the state, they can still be hot and humid. You need to pack enough water and food to fuel your body on the hike. Mosquitoes are also annoying in the summer, so you should pack bug spray.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit in Dixville Notch State Park because the fall foliage is stunning! Early fall is the busiest time, so there will be traffic and crowds. The earlier you start a hike, the better! Winter conditions can begin in late fall, so you should read recent trail reviews and pack the appropriate layers and gear.

Winter is a beautiful time to visit Dixville Notch if you are okay with cold weather and snowy conditions. The trails are less crowded because the trail conditions require much more caution and preparation. You should also read recent trail reviews and keep an eye on the weather since it can change quickly.

Spring is a great time to visit Dixville Notch State Park as everything begins to bloom! However, winter conditions can last through spring, and the snow melt creates muddy trails. The snow melt also makes it difficult to cross some rivers when the water is high. If you want to hike in the spring, you should read recent trail reviews and pack the appropriate gear. Mud season in the mountains makes the trails vulnerable, so please remember to stay on the trail.

Where to Stay Near Dixville Notch State Park

The closest town to Dixville Notch State Park with accommodations is Colebrook. Although the town is small, it has a few accommodations, restaurants, and stores. If you want to stay in a larger town, I recommend staying closer to Gorham.

What to Pack for Dixville Notch State Park

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Best Things to Do in Dixville Notch State Park: Waterfalls and Hiking Trails

Great North Woods Scenic Drive

If you want to enjoy beautiful scenic views without hiking, you can enjoy a drive through the Great North Woods in New Hampshire. The 120-mile scenic drive connects Gorham and Colebrook while driving through Dixville Notch State Park and other beautiful areas. The scenic drive is breathtaking and surprisingly has fewer crowds than other scenic drives in New Hampshire.

Although it has many areas to enjoy views, Dixville Notch State Park is one of the most beautiful places along the route. Dixville Notch has a few overlooks and roadside attractions to enjoy without hiking, and the views will not disappoint. And the best part? You can enjoy the scenic drive year-round! Although fall is the most popular time to visit, you can enjoy the views any season.

Dixville Flume (aka Baby Flume)

Although the Dixville Notch waterfalls are not the tallest in New Hampshire, they do not lack beauty. Dixville Flume (also known as Baby Flume) is a beautiful 18-foot waterfall between beautiful rock walls.

Although it is a roadside attraction and does not require hiking, many people overlook it because the parking lot can be easy to miss if you are not looking for it. The parking lot also has a small picnic area, making it a great spot to enjoy the waterfall and a lunch break.

Huntington Falls

Huntington Falls is one of my favorite Dixville Notch waterfalls because it is stunning. The waterfall has two cascades (the upper is 50 feet and the lower is 18 feet), but the lower cascades are the most scenic and the easiest to see.

And the best part? It is a short 0.4-mile round-trip hike to Huntington Falls on the Three Brothers Trail. The trail begins in the Cascade Brook Picnic Area just south of the Dixville Flume and follows an easy-to-follow trail to the bottom of the waterfall. Once you visit, you will quickly see why Huntington Falls is one of the most beautiful Dixville Notch waterfalls!

Lake Gloriette

Lake Gloriette is one of the most photographed places in Dixville Notch State Park. It sits across from Table Rock and offers views of the Balsams Resort from its shores. Although the Balsams Resort is no longer open, you can view the beautiful property from Lake Gloriette.

Although you cannot access most of Lake Gloriette, there is a small pull-off area near its shores to enjoy the views of the lake and resort. The views are spectacular, and you will love visiting it during any season. Fall is my favorite time to visit because the colors along Lake Gloriette are breathtaking!

Table Rock Trail

Table Rock is one of the most popular hiking trails in Dixville Notch because it offers incredible views overlooking the notch, Lake Gloriette, and the Balsams Resort. Most people only hike it in the fall, but it is stunning in the summer! I recommend arriving at the trailhead early because this trail becomes crowded quickly, especially in the fall.

But do not let its popularity fool you! It is not an easy hike and not for the faint of heart. The 1.5-mile round trip trail is steep, gaining almost 800 feet of elevation to Table Rock. The viewpoint on Table Rock also has steep drop-offs, so you should always use caution when at the top. But the views are spectacular and will leave you in awe! It is easily one of the most beautiful hikes in Dixville Notch.

Three Brothers Trail

The Three Brothers Trail is a longer route to Table Rock and provides more incredible views. The 2.8-mile round-trip trail gains over 1,100 feet, so it has some steep sections, but it is a little easier than the direct route to Table Rock.

The trail begins at the Cascade Brook Picnic Area and first brings you to Huntington Falls before ascending steeply to the ridge. The trail has many beautiful viewpoints, but the best are at Middle Brother and Table Rock. Middle Brother has similar views to Table Rock but is far less crowded. The Three Brothers Trail is a great alternative hike in Dixville Notch to Table Rock Trail!

Sanguinary Ridge Trail

And last but certainly not least is one of my new favorite hiking trails in Dixville Notch! The Sanguinary Ridge Trail follows a ridge across from Table Rock and offers beautiful views. It is a lesser-known trail, so it also has fewer crowds, which is nice.

The 2.4-mile round-trip trail begins near Dixville Flume and is easy to follow but steep and eroded in some areas. The trail has multiple overlooks, offering different views of Dixville Notch State Park. I recommend stopping at each along the trail because they are beautiful, although the final viewpoint near the top of the ridge has the best views, in my opinion.

Although you can turn around after the final viewpoint, I recommend following the trail as it descends towards Lake Gloriette. The best viewpoint of Lake Gloriette and the Balsams is at the first switchback on the descent. The view is stunning and will quickly become one of your favorites!

The AllTrails map shows a weird route, but I recommend beginning the trail near the Dixville Flume and staying on the Sanguinary Ridge Trail to the first switchback on the descent near Lake Gloriette. The side trail it shows to the right has an obstructed view, so it is not worth the hike, in my opinion. I also do not recommend descending to Lake Gloriette because the trail is very steep and has a lot of loose rock.

I recommend turning around after the viewpoint overlooking the lake and resort and heading back the way you came towards Dixville Flume. No matter how you hike the Sanguinary Ridge Trail, it will quickly become one of your favorite Dixville Notch hiking trails!

If you want to plan a trip to Dixville Notch State Park, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Dixville Notch State Park.