Sight · Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch and Cannon's ski runs spread beneath granite ledges.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Franconia Notch Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Franconia Notch State Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Franconia Notch audio tourRecorded for this place
Artists Bluff and Bald Mountain“You're nearing the trailhead for Artists Bluff and Bald Mountain, a good short hike if you're comfortable on steep rock and roots. Allow an hour to an hour and a half for the full loop.”
Plays as you drive up to Bald Mountain in the Parkwolf Franconia Notch Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Bald Mountain is an open rocky summit on the north end of Franconia Notch State Park, reached from the Artists Bluff circuit. The park map puts its spur 0.1 mile from the loop, after the first quarter mile. This is a separate lookout from Artists Bluff. The final stretch is steep and rocky, with a boulder scramble, so it is a short hike but not an easy stroll.
From the granite ledges, look across Franconia Notch to Cannon Mountain and its ski runs, with Mount Lafayette and the notch opening to the left. Frame Cannon’s ski slopes with the bare rock in the foreground to give the view some scale.
The circuit starts at the large dirt hiker lot across Route 18 from Cannon Mountain’s Peabody Base Area. Hiker parking is not allowed at Echo Lake Beach. Lots fill early during fall foliage, so aim for an early start and follow the current signs for the loop. The rocky summit spur is not a step-free approach.
Wildlife
66 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
38 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
19 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
19 sightingsGreat Blue HeronMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
13 sightingsTurkey VultureMost seen around noonSighting map
23 sightingsRavenMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Franconia Notch. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateArtists Bluff and Bald Mountain Loop1.3 mi · 1.3 hr · 0.2 mi awayEcho Lake below, big peaks ahead, in a short two-viewpoint loop.
ModerateBald Mountain Trail0.7 mi · 30 min · 0.2 mi awayA short scramble to open rock and Franconia Notch views.
ChallengingCannon Mountain via Kinsman Ridge Trail4.1 mi · 3.5 hr · 1.3 mi awayA hard climb earns a clear view across Franconia Ridge.
ChallengingKinsman Ridge Trail15.8 mi · 12 hr · 1.3 mi awayA full day across Cannon, the Cannon Balls, and both Kinsmans.
ChallengingMount Lafayette via Greenleaf Trail6.6 mi · 6.5 hr · 1.3 mi awayEagle Pass, Greenleaf Hut, and a hard climb to Lafayette.
EasyPemi Trail4 mi · 2.5 hr · 1.5 mi awayA rough river trail connects Profile Lake with The Basin.
EasyProfile Lake via Pemi Trail1.3 mi · 45 min · 1.5 mi awayA short, rocky shore walk below Eagle CliffEasyCannon Mountain Rim Trail Loop0.4 mi · 45 min · 1.7 mi awayA short summit loop with Franconia Notch views and exposed ledges.Sight · 0.4 mi awayCannon Mountain Ski AreaA steep, old-school hill that puts skiing ahead of frills.
Restaurant · 0.4 mi awayCannonball PubPub food and a deck view of Cannon's ski runs.
Sight · 0.5 mi awayArtists BluffA short, steep climb buys the Notch's best Echo Lake panorama.
Campground · 0.5 mi awayCannon Mountain RV ParkSeven RV sites beside Echo Lake Beach, close to Franconia Notch.
Beach · 0.6 mi awayEcho Lake BeachA mountain-framed swim beach with kayaks at the water’s edge.
Sight · 0.9 mi awayGovernor Gallen MemorialA governor’s memorial, a brookside bridge, and Mount Lafayette beyond.
Sight · 0.9 mi awayEcho Lake Boat LaunchA public put-in for your own boat on Echo Lake.
Sight · 1.1 mi awayNew England Ski Museum (Franconia Branch)New England ski history, from vintage gear to the 10th Mountain Division.Parkwolf’s Franconia Notch ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
