Unplug on a road trip around the Great North Woods where you’ll appreciate the natural rugged beauty of the region, adrenaline pumping adventure and rural country charm. Here are a few stops to get your road trip started through the most northern portion of the state:
Forest Lake State Park (397 Forest Lake Road, Dalton) One of NH’s ten original state parks, this under-the-radar gem offers visitors swimming, picnicking, mountain biking, and fishing. Or just sit a spell on the sandy shore and enjoy the beauty of Forest Lake.
Team O’Neil Rally School (178 Miller Road, Dalton) Gear up for an experience like no other when you get behind the wheel of a rally car with a professional instructor! No experience needed to hit the road or gravel as the case maybe, for an adrenaline filled adventure.
Lancaster Farmers Market (Centennial Park, Lancaster) A summer tradition on Saturday’s from May to October, stop in and stock up on local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheeses, eggs and milk too, not to mention works from many local artisans.
Colebrook River Walk (downtown Colebrook) This scenic route is an easy loop that takes you along the Mohawk and Connecticut Rivers. Watch for interpretive signs along your walk that detail the local vegetation. There’s also several benches to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Be sure to build some time into your road trip through the region to explore the rural vibe of two of the region’s communities: Lancaster and Colebrook.
- Surrounded by the White Mountains, Lancaster beckons with its bright and cheery Main Street. The downtown is bustling with activity at shops like Northwoods on Main Gifts, a small-town gift shop brimming with locally made products and a penny candy counter too. The Polish Princess with its fresh baked breads and pastries is a local favorite and right nearby enjoy specialty lattes or coffees at the Granite Grind. Hidden Gem: Take a trip down memory lane at the Rialto Theater. All the authenticity of seeing a movie decades ago but with up-to-date digital projectors, sound system and screens.
- Located just south of the Canadian border, Colebrook, nestled in among farms and forests, is brimming with small-town country charm. Old Appletree with its wide variety of gifts and goods is the go-to country gift shop. For a hearty dose of comfort food and NH craft beer head to Coos Brewing Company. Always a must when in town is a stop at Mostly Muffins for some of the most creative homemade muffins and other baked goods around. Hidden Gem: Huntington Cascades is located in Dixville Notch State Park. A five-minute walk takes you to Lower Falls, continue up the path another 5 minutes to see the 50-foot Upper Falls.
Looking for even more to explore? Be sure to check out these additional Great North Woods Road Trips: