Dixville Notch State Park wilderness guide
State Park · NH

Dixville Notch State Park

Dixville Notch State Park is a stunning area famous for its dramatic mountain pass and expansive views. It offers excellent opportunities for hiking and enjoying picturesque landscapes in New Hampshire's North Country.

State Park1272+ Trails

Designation

State Park

Total Wilderness Area

127

Elevation / Terrain

Diverse Wilderness

Field Editorial Guide

About Dixville Notch State Park

Dixville Notch State Park is a stunning area famous for its dramatic mountain pass and expansive views. It offers excellent opportunities for hiking and enjoying picturesque landscapes in New Hampshire's North Country.

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

Dixville Notch State Park, located in northern New Hampshire, is renowned for its striking geography centered around a deep pass through surrounding mountains. The park spans over several acres and offers a vital natural habitat within its forested terrain. Known for its bold cliffs and expansive vistas, Dixville Notch is especially popular in the fall when the foliage transforms into a vibrant display. Historically, this area has served as a pass for travelers and has been a subject of geological fascination. Key recreational activities here include hiking, with trails rewarding visitors with panoramic views, and wildlife viewing, with opportunities to observe species native to northern hardwood forests. The park's natural beauty and relative seclusion make it an appealing destination for both day-trippers and avid outdoor adventurers.

Field Guide · State Park
Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Dixville Notch State Park

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 60 miles.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Huntington Cascades offer a beautiful waterfall less traveled by many, making it a serene viewing point.✦ The Table Rock Trail includes a challenging hike with rewarding views of the notch and surrounding landscapes.✦ Observation tower at the nearby Balsams Resort provides excellent vantage points for photographers.✦ Best known for dramatic leaf-peeping, fall foliage in Dixville Notch is unparalleled in its vibrancy.
Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Dixville Notch State Park

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Dixville Notch State Park.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Free access; no permits or fees required.

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.
Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.
Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.
Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).
Wilderness Stays

Camping & Overnight Stays in Dixville Notch State Park

Frontcountry developed campgrounds, backcountry wilderness permit guidelines, and starry-night camping advice.

Mollidgewock State Park Campground

Located near Errol, offering convenient access to both the state park and local paddling routes.

Adventure Basecamps

Gateway Towns Near Dixville Notch State Park

Stay, dine, and gear up in these mountain towns and scenic basecamps surrounding the park.

Dixville, New Hampshire
⌖ 0.65 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Dixville, New Hampshire

Dixville, New Hampshire is a secluded town offering peaceful hiking, backpacking, and winter snowshoeing in remote northern forests. Known for quiet wilderness and abundant wildlife, it’s an ideal spot for travelers seeking solitude and classic New England outdoor adventure.

Late Spring to Early Fall, Winter
Explore Town
Millsfield, New Hampshire
⌖ 5.01 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Millsfield, New Hampshire

Millsfield is a quiet, off-grid town in northern New Hampshire perfect for backcountry hiking, paddling, and snowshoeing. Its remote forests and ponds offer a peaceful wilderness escape for nature lovers.

Late spring to early fall for hiking and paddling; winter for snowshoeing and wildlife viewing.
Explore Town
Colebrook, New Hampshire
⌖ 8.76 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Colebrook, New Hampshire

Colebrook is a serene getaway in New Hampshire's Great North Woods where outdoor enthusiasts can hike, snowmobile, and fish amidst tranquil natural beauty. It's a perfect base for year-round adventure.

Summer and Winter
Explore Town
Columbia, New Hampshire
⌖ 9.46 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Columbia, New Hampshire

Columbia offers quiet forests, calm lakes, and unspoiled nature ideal for hiking, paddling, and winter snow sports. Perfect for travelers seeking solitude and wildlife in Northern New Hampshire’s rural landscape.

Late Spring through Fall and Winter for snow sports
Explore Town
Errol, New Hampshire
⌖ 10.95 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Errol, New Hampshire

Errol, NH is a peaceful northern escape centered on Umbagog Lake, perfect for paddling, fishing, and exploring quiet wilderness trails. Its remote location offers year-round adventure from summer hikes to winter snowmobiling.

Late spring through early fall for paddling and fishing; winter for snow sports
Explore Town
Pittsburg, New Hampshire
⌖ 13.06 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Pittsburg, New Hampshire

Pittsburg, NH is a remote outdoor playground with endless hiking, paddling, fishing, and winter snowmobiling. It’s ideal for nature lovers seeking solitude and expansive protected wilderness in New England’s far north.

Late Spring through Early Fall and Winter
Explore Town
Expert-Led Wilderness Expeditions

Guided Experiences in Dixville Notch State Park

Explore scenic backcountry routes and epic wilderness adventures with certified local mountain guides, naturalists, and outfitters.

Hike, Picnic and Plunge: Tubing the Androscoggin out of Errol
ADVEXPEDITION
Errol, New Hampshire
River TubeADV Bookable

Hike, Picnic and Plunge: Tubing the Androscoggin out of Errol

Half-day, full-day and multi-day tube rentals from Northern Waters Outfitters let you picnic by the river, hike your tube up a half-mile class II stretch, and float for as long as you like.

River TubePT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
Paddling the North Country: Tandem Kayak Rentals Out of Errol
ADVEXPEDITION
Errol, New Hampshire
KayakADV Bookable

Paddling the North Country: Tandem Kayak Rentals Out of Errol

Northern Waters Outfitters rents tandem kayaks for day trips and multi‑day paddles into Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the Magalloway River and the Rapid River—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.

KayakPT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip