Crawford Notch State Park is rich with natural beauty, history, and recreational opportunities. The notch is named after the Crawford family, who settled here in the late 1700s, cut trails, and guided visitors up the mountains. Visit the site of the historic Willey House, where the family of Samuel Willey, Jr. lived. They ran an inn here, and anyone traveling through this remote area could stop and spend a comfortable night. Tragically, the family was killed in a severe storm during 1826 when landslides and flooding forever changed the landscape. The inn, however, was not damaged and remained in service until it suffered a fire in 1898.
Take in the stunning reflection at Willey Pond and enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables with a view. Two notable waterfalls are found inside the park, both at or exceeding 100 feet high. Arethusa Falls is a family-friendly, 2.8-mile round trip hike to the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire. Ripley Falls is a shorter hike, totaling approximately 1 mile round trip. The Appalachian Trail passes through Crawford Notch, and hiking trails lead to Mount Willey, Mount Webster, and Mount Jackson, providing access to the southern Presidential Range. The summit of Mount Willard is within the park and offers an unparalleled view overlooking Crawford Notch.
Crawford Notch State Park also runs a small campground within its boundaries. Dry River Campground has 36 campsites, most of which can be reserved in advance. The campground is open seasonally from May through November.
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