Contact Information
PO Box 638
Laconia, NH 3247
603-528-8722
The White Mountains National Forest (better known as the Whites) in central New Hampshire is one of America's most popular public lands, registering more visitors annually than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. It's not unusual for organized hiking groups of twenty or more—a big backcountry faux pas—to descend on the trail in peak season. As such, you should make every effort to avoid visiting on weekends in summer—both for the sake of the forest, which is easily damaged by overuse, and for your own sanity. The Forest Service, working in tandem with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), have made great strides towards minimizing the impact of crowds on the Whites while keeping them open to all who want to sample the grandeur of the Northeast's highest peaks, the Presidential Range. One of the highlights of the Whites is the AMC hut system, a series of beautiful mountain lodges that provide food, shelter, and creature comforts for hikers. The huts make the Whites much more accessible to hikers of varying abilities: Because they are each about a day's hike apart, it's possible to traverse much of the range with a 10-pound daypack instead of a 35-pound bag laden with food, tent, and sleeping bag. For backcountry veterans, the Whites can be a little frustrating. With so many crowd-control regulations, it's sometimes difficult to know where you're actually allowed to camp. You need to make reservations to stay in the huts, which don't come cheap, and even lean-tos and tent platforms come with a fee. Still, you'll find very challenging trails that always take you somewhere worth the trip, and it's not hard to find a backcountry niche where you can enjoy views of the sweeping valleys and sun-drenched, wind-whipped summits undisturbed. What's more, if you steer clear of the Appalachian Trail and the Presidentials, you may very well have the woods to yourself.
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