Summer in the White Mountains conjures up images of warm sunny days and cool evenings. Spend your days hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing, exploring waterfalls or just kicking back. Pick blueberries around the inn. Take a cool refreshing swim in the nearby Saco River or in our new heated inground swimming pool. Or just relax on a front porch rocker. In the evening, curl up by the fireside with a favorite book.
The White Mountain National forest has over 1000 miles of hiking trails. The Bartlett Inn offers easy access to some of the best hiking in the region. Many hikes in the Whites can be done as day trips, and the inn makes a great base camp for avid hikers & novices alike.
Mountain bikers can enjoy riding on the miles of trails extending behind the Inn and into the National Forest. There is also some fine riding on & off the nearby Sawyer River Rd. Bike Rentals and trail maps are available locally.
Canoeists and kayakers will enjoy paddling on the Saco River, there are several outfitters that offer rentals and shuttles. 
Families on Summer Vacation will enjoy the many family attractions in the area, including: Story Land, Santa's Village, Attitash Alpine Slide & Water slides, Horseback Riding at the Fields of Attitash or Black Mountain, the Conway Scenic Rail Road, the Cog Railway & Mt Washington Auto Road, Echo Lake State Park, and many others.
Feel like shopping? Try an "outlet traverse" in nearby North Conway, with its numerous name brand outlets and specialty stores. Shop till you drop, all at tax free prices!
Why not plan your own Waterfall Package:
Use these directions and descriptions to plan your own self-guided drive to one or all of these scenic falls.
Sabbaday Waterfalls:This waterfall features three drops, pretty pools and a pothole formed by the swirling waters and sand. Though you can't swim in the falls, this is a great spot for picnics on warm spring days.
Directions: Take the Kancamagus Highway from Conway. The Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road joins the Kancamagus. The falls are a short, 0.33-mile hike in.
Glen Ellis Waterfalls: The Ellis River plunges 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of white water at this scenic spot. Nearby signs describe the geology and history of the area.
Directions: The turn-off to the falls is 0.7 miles south of Pinkham Notch on Route 16. This is also the parking area for the Glen Boulder and Wildcat Ridge Trails. A tunnel takes you to the other side of the highway, where you turn right to reach the falls. It is an easy, 0.2-mile walk to the falls.
Crystal Cascade Waterfalls: This is a spectacular, two-tiered waterfall with a dramatic, 60-foot wall of water, followed by a 20-foot plunge, ending with the river making a 90-degree turn.
Directions: Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and take the path on the left of the Trading Post--the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The falls are a 0.3-mile, uphill walk. For the adventurous at heart, keep going up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and watch the spectacle of skiers in Tuckerman Ravine on a sunny day in May.
Thompson Waterfalls: This is actually a series of falls along Thompson Brook at Wildcat Ski Area. The views of Mt. Washington from the highest ledge are worth the trip.
Directions: Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area. To reach the falls, take the "Way of Wildcat" Nature Trail from the ski area's parking lot. At the far end of the trail loop, you'll find the path to the falls. It's an easy, 0.7-mile trek to the falls.
Arethusa Waterfalls: Measuring about 176 feet, this is the highest single waterfall in New Hampshire. As a bonus, you can also view Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum Falls while you're there.
Directions: Take Route 302 toward Bretton Woods and look for the entrance to Crawford Notch State Park. Turn onto a paved road just beyond the park, and park on the short side road below the railroad tracks. The trail starts to the left of the private road above the tracks, and it's about 1.3 miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook Falls, Coliseum Falls and Fawn Pool).
Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade Waterfalls: These two falls are viewable from the car, but you can get close for a better look.
Directions: You'll find these waterfalls on Route 302, just below Crawford Notch Depot.
Ripley Falls and Kendron Flume Waterfalls: Enjoy an easy hike to the top of these waterfalls, where you'll discover swimming holes and pools upstream where you can take a cool splash when the weather is warm. Keep in mind that it is not safe to climb the face of the falls.
Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is located off Route 302 in Crawford Notch at the old Wiley House station.
Jackson Waterfalls: The locals head to Jackson Falls on hot summer days. Easily accessible, you'll find wonderful pools and small, cooling falls under which to drench yourself. A few picnic tables nearby offer the perfect spot for lunch, dinner or a cocktail to toast a successful waterfall hunt.
Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 of a mile from Route 16A in Jackson.
Diana's Baths: On a full moon night, this is one of the most romantic places in the world. The water supply for the area is located above this waterfall, so no access is allowed above, but the collection of small falls and pools offers the perfect place to relax and cool off. You'll need to hike about a half-mile, following a well-marked trail, to find this special place.
Directions: Access the trail head from West Side Road, about a half-mile beyond the point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.
Remember that while staying at the Inn, you can count on helpful advice to help you plan and prepare for your adventures! That's why Outside Magazine, Adventure Journal, Backcountry Magazine, Family Camping Magazine, the New Hampshire Explorer’s Guide & the new Moon Guidebook to New Hampshire have all featured us as a destination and a great place to base while recreating in the White Mountains!
