Bartlett Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Bartlett is the kind of White Mountains town that a lot of people drive through without realizing they have arrived. Route 302 runs west out of the North Conway area, the valley narrows, the Saco River slides along beside the road, and suddenly you are surrounded by national forest. That is Bartlett. It has a ski resort, a long stretch of river, the southern doorway to Crawford Notch, and a handful of local businesses that make it a better base than its size suggests. This guide covers the things to do in Bartlett NH that work across the seasons, plus places to eat, drink and stay from our directory.

Bartlett at a glance

Bartlett is a town in Carroll County. The 2020 census counted 3,200 residents. The town includes the community of Glen and parts of Kearsarge and Intervale, which it shares with neighboring Conway, so you may see all of those names on signs and mailing addresses while you are technically still in Bartlett.

The town sits in the White Mountains and is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. The Saco River and its tributary, the Ellis River, drain it. The highest point is Mount Tremont, at 3,371 feet. Most of the town is land, at roughly 75 square miles, and most of that land is forest and mountainside rather than streets.

The main village is small. The Census Bureau counted 351 people in the Bartlett village area in 2020, centered where Route 302 meets Bear Notch Road. If you are looking for a busy downtown, Bartlett is not it. If you want a quieter place to sleep that is still close to everything in the Mount Washington Valley, it is a good choice.

A short history

Bartlett was settled after 1769 and incorporated in 1790. It is named for Josiah Bartlett, one of New Hampshire's three signers of the Declaration of Independence and the first chief executive of the state to carry the title of governor.

The town became a railroad town in 1875, when the Maine Central Railroad's Mountain Division was built through the valley. The Bartlett Roundhouse in the village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, a reminder of that era. Tourism followed the trains, and it has been a principal business ever since. Story Land, a theme park for young children, opened in Glen in 1954, and the Attitash ski area followed in the 1960s.

Things to do in Bartlett NH

Attitash Mountain Resort

Attitash is the anchor of the town. It sits on Route 302 and has two peaks, Attitash and Bear Peak, with 68 trails between them. The summit of Attitash is 2,350 feet and the vertical drop is 1,750 feet. It operates under a special-use permit with the White Mountain National Forest and is run by Vail Resorts.

In winter it is a full ski area that appeals to a range of abilities, with a learning area for beginners and some narrow, old-style New England trails for experts. Outside ski season the resort still draws visitors, and it is worth checking its own site for what is running when you plan to visit. See Attitash Mountain Resort in our directory.

Crawford Notch and Arethusa Falls

Drive west on Route 302 and you reach Crawford Notch State Park, which sits between Bartlett and Bretton Woods. The park covers 5,775 acres in the middle of Crawford Notch, a major pass through the White Mountains. It includes the Willey House historical site and the Dry River Campground, and its trails lead to Ripley Falls and Arethusa Falls.

Arethusa Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire. Bemis Brook drops over a granite cliff on the western side of the notch. When it was found in 1875 it was measured at 176 feet. The Appalachian Mountain Club now puts it at about 140 feet. The Arethusa Falls Trail from Route 302 is about 1.5 miles each way.

In late June the brooks are usually still running well, the trails have dried out from spring, and the black flies are starting to ease. Bring water, real footwear and a layer, because the notch can be cooler and wetter than the valley floor.

The Saco River valley

The Saco runs through the length of town, and much of what makes Bartlett pleasant is simply being near it. Pull-offs along Route 302 and Bear Notch Road give you places to stop, look at the water and stretch your legs. If you swim, use common sense: river levels and currents change quickly after rain, and rocks are slick.

Winter: Nordic skiing and snowmobiling

If you come back in winter, two Bartlett businesses define the season beyond downhill skiing. Bear Notch Ski Touring maintains more than 65 kilometers of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails with river views, waterfalls, meadows and hills. It uses natural snow only, and well-behaved dogs are allowed on the entire trail network.

Northern Extremes Snowmobiling runs snowmobile rentals and guided tours from two locations, one in Bartlett at Bear Notch and one in Bretton Woods near Mount Washington. It offers self-guided rentals by the hour, half day, full day and multiple days, and guided tours for all ages and abilities.

Where to eat and drink

Bartlett is small, and many visitors eat in North Conway or Glen. One local stop stands out for anyone who likes wine or cider.

Alpine Garden Winery is a small winery and tasting room on Route 302 in Bartlett, run by a couple born and raised in the Mount Washington Valley. They grow grapes, harvest local apples and work with growers in the region, and they make everything in-house. The vineyard began in 2009 with a small plot of La Crescent and Sabrevois vines, and the winery opened in 2021. Their wines and ciders are made from local fruit with native-yeast fermentation and minimal intervention. It is the kind of place that shows how cold-climate grapes are finding a foothold in northern New England.

For a full meal, plan on a short drive into Glen or North Conway, where the choice is much wider. If you are staying in a condo with a kitchen, the valley's grocery stores make it easy to cook for yourself after a day outside.

Where to stay

Bartlett's lodging leans toward condos and resort hotels near Attitash, which is useful for families and groups who want space.

Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash is a slopeside, ski-in and ski-out hotel with mountain views, guest rooms and suites, fire pits, a heated outdoor saltwater pool, a sauna and a fitness center. It has more than 12,000 square feet of event space, which the hotel describes as one of the largest meeting complexes in the Mount Washington Valley. It is about 15 minutes from North Conway.

The Seasons Resort at Attitash offers nightly and weekly condominium rentals just west of North Conway, less than a mile from Attitash. Its clubhouse has an indoor heated pool, a hot tub, a dry sauna and a game room with pool tables, air hockey, foosball and ping pong, which helps on a rainy afternoon.

Planning tips

Pick your season. Summer and early fall are best for hiking, waterfalls and river time. Winter is for skiing, Nordic trails and snowmobiling. Spring is the quiet season, with mud and high water, and some businesses keep shorter schedules.

Use Bartlett as a base. From here you can reach Crawford Notch and North Conway without staying in the busiest part of the valley.

Check conditions. Mountain weather changes fast. Look at the forecast for higher elevations before heading into the notch, and carry more layers than you think you need.

Confirm hours before you go. Small businesses in mountain towns adjust their schedules by season. Check directly before driving out.

Leave no trace. Much of Bartlett is national forest. Stay on trails, pack out what you bring, and park only in marked areas.

A sample day in Bartlett

Start early with the Arethusa Falls Trail while the parking area is quieter and the light is soft in the notch. Have lunch back in the valley, then spend an hour by the Saco River. In the late afternoon, stop at the winery for a tasting, and finish with dinner in Glen or North Conway before heading back to your condo or hotel near Attitash. It is an easy, unhurried day that shows why so many people return to this part of the White Mountains.

FAQ

What is Bartlett, NH known for?

Attitash Mountain Resort, access to Crawford Notch, the Saco River, and its location inside the White Mountain National Forest. Glen, part of Bartlett, is also home to Story Land.

How far is Bartlett from North Conway?

Close. The Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash describes itself as about 15 minutes from North Conway, and The Seasons resort is just west of North Conway.

Is Bartlett good for a summer trip?

Yes. Summer brings hiking, waterfalls such as Arethusa Falls, scenic drives and river time, with less traffic than central North Conway.

Is Arethusa Falls hard to reach?

The trail from Route 302 is about 1.5 miles each way with climbing. Most reasonably fit hikers can do it, but wear proper footwear.

Sources

• Bartlett, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, villages, history, geography, roundhouse): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartlett,_New_Hampshire
• Attitash Mountain Resort, Wikipedia (peaks, trails, elevations, permit, operator): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitash_Mountain_Resort
• Crawford Notch State Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Notch_State_Park
• Arethusa Falls, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arethusa_Falls
• Alpine Garden Winery: https://www.alpinegardenwinery.com/
• Bear Notch Ski Touring: https://www.bearnotchskitouring.com/
• Northern Extremes Snowmobiling: https://www.nxtsnow.com/
• Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash: https://www.grandsummitattitash.com/
• The Seasons Resort: https://www.seasonsnh.com/