North Conway in Summer: Rivers, Trails and Village Dining

North Conway is busy in winter, when skiers fill the Mount Washington Valley. Summer is just as good, and in some ways better. The days are long, the rivers are warm enough to wade, and the granite ledges above the village draw climbers from all over the Northeast. If you are planning a North Conway NH summer trip, this guide covers the outdoor highlights, guides and outfitters who can help you try something new, and a couple of casual places to eat in the village.

North Conway at a glance

North Conway is a village and census-designated place in eastern Carroll County, with 2,116 residents at the 2020 census. It is a year-round resort area and the second-largest village in the town of Conway, after Conway village itself. The White Mountain National Forest lies to the west and north.

The area is known for Cathedral Ledge, which is popular with climbers, as well as Echo Lake State Park and Cranmore Mountain Resort. North Conway is also known for its large number of outlet shops, which makes it a handy rainy-day destination.

Echo Lake and Cathedral Ledge

The classic summer stop is Echo Lake State Park. The park features 15.7-acre Echo Lake and two rock ledges with scenic views, Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge. Visitors swim, hike, picnic, fish and use non-motorized boats. A one-mile trail loops around the lake, which makes an easy walk for families.

A mile-long auto road and hiking trails lead to the top of Cathedral Ledge, at a summit elevation of 1,159 feet. From the top there are views across the Saco River Valley to the White Mountains and Kearsarge North. Both Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge are popular for rock and ice climbing, and on a summer day you can often watch climbers working up the cliffs from the lake below.

Diana's Baths

Diana's Baths is a series of small waterfalls in the southeastern corner of Bartlett, near North Conway, within the White Mountain National Forest. The stream that feeds them is Lucy Brook. The waterfalls drop a total of 75 feet, and the walk to the base is about 0.6 miles, which makes it a popular family destination.

The site has a history. It was once the location of a 19th-century sawmill. After the mill was abandoned, the site was protected by the U.S. Forest Service as a historic site. Stream flow is strongest in spring with snowmelt and gentler by midsummer. Insect repellent is essential from spring through fall.

The Saco River

The Saco River runs through the valley on its way from northeastern New Hampshire into southwestern Maine. It drains a rural area of 1,703 square miles and travels 136 miles from its source to the Atlantic at Saco Bay. It supplies drinking water to roughly 250,000 people in 35 towns. Samuel de Champlain sailed a portion of the river in 1605.

In summer, the Saco is the valley's natural playground for wading, tubing and paddling. Treat it with respect, since conditions change with rain and water levels.

Learning to climb with a guide

North Conway is one of the best places in New England to try rock climbing, and the safest way to start is with a guide.

Cathedral Mountain Guides is a North Conway-based climbing guide service founded in 2008 by an American Mountain Guides Association certified instructor. It offers guided rock climbing, an intro to rock course and leader courses, along with climbing at Rumney. In the colder months it runs ice climbing and mountaineering programs, including a Mount Washington ascent and a Presidential Range traverse. See the listing at Cathedral Mountain Guides.

Redline Guiding offers outdoor adventures and wilderness education in the White Mountains. Its summer programs include hiking, backpacking, nature tours, rock climbing and trail running. It also runs courses such as wilderness navigation, camp craft, river crossing skills and wilderness first aid. That mix makes it a good choice for families or groups who want to build real backcountry skills. See Redline Guiding.

Gear up in the village

International Mountain Equipment, known as IME, on White Mountain Highway calls itself the Northeast's legendary climbing and mountaineering shop. Its store covers rock climbing gear, footwear, books and maps, camping gear, packs, tents and sleeping bags. It also offers consignment, service and rentals, and it sells regional climbing guidebooks, including guides to Cathedral Ledge and New Hampshire ice. See International Mountain Equipment.

If you are new to climbing, a stop at a specialist shop is useful even if your guide supplies the gear. The staff can point you toward the right shoes and the right guidebook for your next trip.

Where to eat in the village

Peach's Restaurant is a family-owned breakfast and lunch spot in North Conway. It serves breakfast all day, offers gluten-free options and serves locally roasted coffee. It is a natural first stop before a climb or a hike. See Peach's Restaurant.

Delaney's Hole in the Wall has been serving North Conway since 1994. It is a casual restaurant and sports tavern serving lunch and dinner, and it offers takeout. After a day on the rock or in the river, it is an easy, unfussy dinner. See Delaney's Hole in the Wall.

More summer options

Conway Scenic Railroad. This heritage railroad is based in North Conway. It runs over two historic routes: a line from North Conway to Conway and a line from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan. The North Conway station complex has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Cranmore Mountain Resort. Best known as a ski area that began operating in the winter of 1937 to 1938, Cranmore runs a Mountain Adventure Park in summer.

Choosing your pace

North Conway works for very different kinds of trips. Active travelers can fill every day with ledges, trails and rivers, while others prefer a slower mix of a short walk, a long lunch and an afternoon browsing shops in the village. Both are good ways to spend a summer week here. If you are traveling with kids or with people of mixed abilities, the easy loop at Echo Lake and the short walk to Diana's Baths give everyone something to enjoy, while the stronger hikers or climbers in the group head up the ledges with a guide.

A sample summer day

1. Breakfast at Peach's.

2. Morning climbing session with a guide at Cathedral Ledge, or a hike to the top of the ledge.

3. Midday swim and picnic at Echo Lake.

4. Afternoon walk to Diana's Baths, or time on the Saco.

5. Evening dinner at Delaney's.

Summer tips

Start early. Popular trailheads and beaches fill on summer weekends.

Carry bug spray. Woods and waterfalls bring insects all summer.

Watch the weather. Check the forecast before a climb or hike and turn back if storms threaten.

Respect the rivers. Rocks are slippery, and water levels rise quickly after rain.

Leave no trace. Diana's Baths and Echo Lake see heavy use. Pack out everything you bring.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in North Conway in summer?

Swimming at Echo Lake State Park, hiking or driving to the top of Cathedral Ledge, visiting Diana's Baths, time on the Saco River, and guided climbing and hiking.

Can beginners climb at Cathedral Ledge?

Yes, with a guide. Cathedral Mountain Guides offers an intro to rock course, and Redline Guiding offers rock climbing programs.

How long is the walk to Diana's Baths?

About 0.6 miles to the base of the falls.

Can you drive up Cathedral Ledge?

Yes. A mile-long auto road leads to the top, along with hiking trails.

Sources

• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
• Echo Lake State Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_Lake_State_Park
• Diana's Baths, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana%27s_Baths
• Saco River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saco_River
• Conway Scenic Railroad, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway_Scenic_Railroad
• Cranmore Mountain Resort, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranmore_Mountain_Resort
• Cathedral Mountain Guides official site: https://cathedralmountainguides.com
• Redline Guiding official site: https://redlineguiding.com
• International Mountain Equipment official site: https://ime-usa.com
• Peach's Restaurant official site: https://peachesnorthconway.com/
• Delaney's Hole in the Wall official site: https://www.delaneys.com/