What do you get when you cross the most beautiful state in the country with nice weather and lots to see? Easy! You get the perfect place to be if you love exploring the outdoors. New Hampshire offers wonderful outdoor recreation, but it’s also full of areas that we consider to be actual wonders of the world. They might not be in a world history book, but Granite Staters should add them to their bucket list this year!
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- Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, Groton
New Hampshire State Parks / Facebook Sculptured Rocks Natural Area is comprised of 272 acres of beauty carved out by the Cockermouth River. The rocks are now smooth and soft, as if by magic. You can even swim in certain sections, but be ready for chilly water!
- Lake Winnipesaukee, Moultonborough
momentsnotice / Flickr While the lake on its own is a beauty, it’s the view of it and the Ossipee Mountains seen from Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough that we think is a true natural wonder. Because the view is so incredible no matter the weather, this might be a great activity if you’re feeling restless but can’t hit the trails for a hike.
- Isles of Shoals, Gulf of Maine
Pauline Rosenberg / Flickr Discovered by Captain John Smith, who you might remember from the history of Pocahontas. Today they’re one of the most beautiful warm-weather destinations in the state. Take a ferry or your own boat over to Star Island for a lovely day out.
- Pemigewasset Wilderness Area, White Mountains
sackton / Flickr Head to the White Mountains to take in this 45,000 acre beauty! It’s in one of the more remote parts of the state so you’ll need a little dedication to the mission, but stay the course! Once you arrive there’s so much exploring to be done.
- Lakes of the Clouds, Sargent’s Purchase
ashokbo / Flickr While not an entirely easy place to access, it’s nice to know this is here! And for those who are more intrepid, it’s worth the hike to reach it. Located about 5 thousand feet above sea level, there’s a series of lakes between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe. When you arrive at the top you’ll feel as though you’ve entered another realm. And maybe you have?
- Beaver Brook Falls, Colebrook
Pernellevoyage / TripAdvisor These beautiful falls feel like a lush getaway in the spring and summer. The 80-foot drop is impressive, but it’s also fun to simply explore the area and enjoy a picnic lunch. The best part? You don’t even need to hike to find it. You’ll be able to see it right from the car! You can learn more about it here!
- Mount Washington, Sargent’s Purchase
mtwashington / Flickr Mount Washington is the highest summit in the Northeast at 6,288 feet! Drive to the summit to see New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and even Canada on a clear day! Native Americans considered this peak to be sacred. If you’re ambitious there are multiple hiking routes to the top, but it’s best to be experienced.
- Lake Umbagog, Cambridge
saldrich / Flickr This might be a new destination for some folks, but it’s worth a trip no matter where you’re based! With a 1998 founding date, this is a relatively new state park in New Hampshire. It’s also a bit off the beaten path. You can find it in a remote corner of New Hampshire and Maine, about 3.5 hours north of Concord. But, the beauty is unmistakable!
- Rocky Gorge, Albany
sean_oneill / Flickr We love that this spot is easily accessed from your car. The natural area features smooth pathways and a lovely bridge allowing visitors to see the river and waterfalls with minimal effort.
- Emerald Pool, Chatham
logicalrealist / Flickr Located just off the Baldface Loop Trail, this impressively clear and green natural pool feels as though it should be in the tropics. But, lucky for us it’s right here in New Hampshire! And you can read more about how to find it here!
- Lost River Gorge, Woodstock
Bryn Pinzgauer / Flickr This beautiful attraction might have had some help in the form of stairs and boardwalks, but the natural beauty is the reason. Formed by glaciers and the stream that makes its way through the area, this is one natural attraction that’s designed for you to see!
Now that you’ve got a good start for natural wonders exploration, how about those that were built by hand? Here are 6 of the most enchanting man-made wonders in New Hampshire!
New Hampshire State Parks / Facebook
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area is comprised of 272 acres of beauty carved out by the Cockermouth River. The rocks are now smooth and soft, as if by magic. You can even swim in certain sections, but be ready for chilly water!
momentsnotice / Flickr
While the lake on its own is a beauty, it’s the view of it and the Ossipee Mountains seen from Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough that we think is a true natural wonder. Because the view is so incredible no matter the weather, this might be a great activity if you’re feeling restless but can’t hit the trails for a hike.
Pauline Rosenberg / Flickr
Discovered by Captain John Smith, who you might remember from the history of Pocahontas. Today they’re one of the most beautiful warm-weather destinations in the state. Take a ferry or your own boat over to Star Island for a lovely day out.
sackton / Flickr
Head to the White Mountains to take in this 45,000 acre beauty! It’s in one of the more remote parts of the state so you’ll need a little dedication to the mission, but stay the course! Once you arrive there’s so much exploring to be done.
ashokbo / Flickr
While not an entirely easy place to access, it’s nice to know this is here! And for those who are more intrepid, it’s worth the hike to reach it. Located about 5 thousand feet above sea level, there’s a series of lakes between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe. When you arrive at the top you’ll feel as though you’ve entered another realm. And maybe you have?
Pernellevoyage / TripAdvisor
These beautiful falls feel like a lush getaway in the spring and summer. The 80-foot drop is impressive, but it’s also fun to simply explore the area and enjoy a picnic lunch. The best part? You don’t even need to hike to find it. You’ll be able to see it right from the car! You can learn more about it here!
mtwashington / Flickr
Mount Washington is the highest summit in the Northeast at 6,288 feet! Drive to the summit to see New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and even Canada on a clear day! Native Americans considered this peak to be sacred. If you’re ambitious there are multiple hiking routes to the top, but it’s best to be experienced.
saldrich / Flickr
This might be a new destination for some folks, but it’s worth a trip no matter where you’re based! With a 1998 founding date, this is a relatively new state park in New Hampshire. It’s also a bit off the beaten path. You can find it in a remote corner of New Hampshire and Maine, about 3.5 hours north of Concord. But, the beauty is unmistakable!
sean_oneill / Flickr
We love that this spot is easily accessed from your car. The natural area features smooth pathways and a lovely bridge allowing visitors to see the river and waterfalls with minimal effort.
logicalrealist / Flickr
Located just off the Baldface Loop Trail, this impressively clear and green natural pool feels as though it should be in the tropics. But, lucky for us it’s right here in New Hampshire! And you can read more about how to find it here!
Bryn Pinzgauer / Flickr
This beautiful attraction might have had some help in the form of stairs and boardwalks, but the natural beauty is the reason. Formed by glaciers and the stream that makes its way through the area, this is one natural attraction that’s designed for you to see!
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Address: Sculptured Rocks, Groton, NH 03266, USAAddress: Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, USAAddress: Isles of Shoals, United StatesAddress: 189 Main St, Lincoln, NH 03251, USAAddress: Lakes of the Clouds, Sargent’s Purchase, NH 03846, USAAddress: Beaver Brook Falls, Colebrook, NH 03576, USAAddress: Mount Washington, Mt Washington, Sargent’s Purchase, NH 03846, USAAddress: Umbagog Lake, United StatesAddress: Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Kancamagus Hwy, Albany, NH 03818, USAAddress: Emerald Pool, State Rte 113, Chatham, NH 03813, USA
