The White Mountains Lodging Guide: Inns, Resorts and B&Bs

The White Mountains cover a lot of ground, and where you sleep shapes the whole trip. Stay in the wrong valley and you spend your vacation in the car. Stay in the right one and the trailhead, the swimming hole and dinner are all close. This guide to White Mountains NH lodging walks through the main areas, the kinds of places you will find in each, and a handful of inns, resorts and motels from our directory that show the range.

Start with the area, not the hotel

Most visitors base themselves in one of four areas:

• Lincoln and North Woodstock. At the western end of the Kancamagus Highway, off I-93, close to Franconia Notch and Loon Mountain. Good for a first trip, for families, and for anyone who wants easy highway access.
• Franconia and the Notch. Quieter and more scenic, with views of Mount Lafayette and the Kinsman Range. Good for hikers and people who want an inn rather than a resort.
• North Conway and Jackson. The Mount Washington Valley on the east side. North Conway is known for its outlet shopping and is close to Cathedral Ledge and Echo Lake State Park. Jackson, a few miles north, is a classic mountain village with historic inns.
• Littleton and the north. A real downtown on the northern edge of the mountains, convenient for Franconia Notch and for trips farther north.

Pick the area that matches what you want to do most, then pick the place to stay.

Historic inns

The White Mountains have a long hotel history. By the 1880s the village of Jackson alone had five large hotels. Only a few of the grand mountain resorts survive, and staying in one is part of the experience.

Eagle Mountain House, Jackson. Eagle Mountain House is a historic resort hotel on Carter Notch Road, north of Jackson Village. The current building dates to 1916 and was enlarged in 1929, and it is described as one of the few surviving grand mountain resort hotels in the White Mountains. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The property also has a 9-hole golf course, and it hosts weddings and events. If you want the feel of an old mountain hotel with a veranda and a view, this is the type.

Franconia Inn, Franconia. The Franconia Inn says it has been welcoming guests since 1863. It sits on 65 acres with views of Mount Lafayette, Franconia Notch and the Kinsman Range. Its website lists horseback riding, a pool, hot tub and sauna in the warmer months, and cross-country skiing, skating and sleigh rides in winter, along with on-site dining. It is a good fit for couples and families who want to stay put and have activities on the property.

Family resorts and condo-style stays

If you are traveling with kids, a resort with a pool and room to spread out can be worth more than a view.

Deer Park Resort, North Woodstock. Deer Park is a townhouse resort set on 65 acres, including a private five-acre lake. It is along Route 112 off I-93, near Loon Mountain, and the resort points out that it is about two hours north of Boston. The location is hard to beat for a Lincoln-area trip: the Kancamagus Highway starts in Lincoln, and Franconia Notch State Park is a short drive up the interstate.

Fox Ridge Resort, North Conway. A family resort in North Conway with a range of room types, including family rooms with multiple beds, garden-view lofts and mountain-view rooms overlooking the Moat Mountain range. The resort notes it is about a mile from Kahuna Laguna, an indoor water park, and offers packages that pair a stay with water park tickets. Check its website for current room types.

Simple, practical motels

Not every trip needs a resort. If you will be out on the trail from dawn to dusk, a clean, simple room near a good downtown is often the smart choice.

Eastgate Inn, Littleton. A limited-service motel on Cottage Street at the gateway to Littleton. Its website describes 40 ground-level units with TVs, internet access, a microwave and refrigerator, and a free continental breakfast. Littleton's downtown is close, and Franconia Notch is a short drive south.

Glamping and cabins

For a middle ground between a tent and a hotel, the White Mountains have a growing number of glamping options.

Huttopia White Mountains, Albany. Huttopia is a glamping site on Pine Knoll Road in Albany, near Conway and on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. It offers ready-to-camp canvas and wood tents, tiny houses and cabins, some with wood stoves, plus a heated pool and lakeside swimming and paddling. It suits families who want the camping experience without bringing all the gear.

How to choose: a quick guide

• First trip, with kids: Lincoln or North Woodstock, at a resort with a pool. Deer Park is a good example.
• Hiking-focused couples: Franconia, at an inn close to the Notch.
• History and atmosphere: A historic inn in Jackson or Franconia.
• Shopping and rainy-day options: North Conway, where the outlets and indoor attractions are close.
• Budget and flexibility: A simple motel in Littleton or North Conway.
• A different kind of trip: Glamping in Albany near Conway.

Seasons and booking

The White Mountains are busy in summer and very busy during fall foliage, especially on weekends. Winter brings skiers, including to Loon Mountain near Lincoln. Spring is usually the quietest time.

In general:

• Book early for foliage. Late September and October weekends fill up first.
• Check minimum stays. Many inns and resorts require two-night minimums on weekends and holidays.
• Ask about seasonal amenities. Pools, golf courses and some restaurants are seasonal. Check what is open for your dates.
• Confirm pet policies. Policies vary widely, and some places have specific pet rooms.

We do not list prices here because they change often. Check each property's website for current rates.

Getting around

The White Mountains are a driving destination. I-93 runs north and south through Franconia Notch and Lincoln. Route 16 runs up the east side through North Conway and Jackson. The Kancamagus Highway, Route 112, connects Lincoln and Conway across the mountains, and it is one of the most popular scenic drives in the state. Plan your base around the roads you will use most.

A sample long weekend

1. Friday. Drive up I-93 and check in at a Lincoln or North Woodstock resort. Dinner in town.

2. Saturday. Franconia Notch State Park in the morning, then a swim or a lazy afternoon at the resort.

3. Sunday. Drive the Kancamagus Highway east to Conway, with stops at overlooks along the way, then head home via Route 16.

Or reverse it: stay in North Conway or Jackson and drive the Kancamagus west.

FAQ

Where is the best place to stay in the White Mountains?

It depends on the trip. Lincoln and North Woodstock are the most convenient for first-timers and families, Franconia suits hikers and inn lovers, and North Conway and Jackson suit shoppers and fans of historic hotels.

Are there historic hotels in the White Mountains?

Yes. Eagle Mountain House in Jackson, built in 1916, is one of the few surviving grand mountain resort hotels, and the Franconia Inn has welcomed guests since 1863.

When should I book White Mountains lodging for foliage?

As early as you can. Foliage weekends are the busiest time of year in the mountains.

Is there glamping in the White Mountains?

Yes. Huttopia White Mountains in Albany offers canvas tents, tiny houses and cabins.

What is the Kancamagus Highway?

Route 112 between Lincoln and Conway, one of the most popular scenic drives in New Hampshire.

Sources

• Eagle Mountain House, Wikipedia (1916 building, 1929 enlargement, National Register 1990; Jackson's five hotels by the 1880s): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Mountain_House
• Eagle Mountain House, official site (9-hole golf course, weddings): https://www.eaglemt.com/
• Franconia Inn, official site (since 1863, 65 acres, activities): https://www.franconiainn.com/
• Deer Park Resort, official site (65 acres, five-acre lake, location): https://www.deerparkresort.com/
• Fox Ridge Resort, official site: https://www.foxridgeresort.com/
• Eastgate Inn, official site: https://eastgateinnnh.com/
• Huttopia White Mountains, official site: https://americas.huttopia.com/site/white-mountains/
• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (outlets, Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake State Park): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire