Route 302
Sargent's Purchase
Phone: 603-466-3347

Mount Washington State Park is one of the most unique in the New Hampshire state park system. Located on the summit of the tallest peak in the northeast at 6,288 feet, the park can be accessed in three ways: The Mount Washington Auto Road, the Cog Railway, or hiking. There are at least 15 long, rough hiking trails up Mount Washington. In addition, it is traversed by the Appalachian Trail, the 2,000-mile footpath that extends from Maine to Georgia. Both the cog railway and auto road are privately owned and operated.

The major routes to New Hampshire are either I-93 or I-95. Driving times will vary depending on whether you plan to take The Cog Railway or the Mount Washington Auto Road to the park at the summit. The cog railway base station is located off Route 302 near Bretton Woods on the west flank of the mountain. The auto road begins in Gorham on Route 16 on the east side of the mountain.

The eight-mile long Mt. Washington Auto Road was completed in 1861 as a carriage road to replace rugged hiking and bridle paths. Carriages drawn by teams of eight horses carried visitors and their huge trunks of clothing to the summit. Visitors today may drive their own cars to the summit or ride in one of the many vans that provide guided tours for visitors. The auto road is the site of annual foot, bicycle, and automobile races.

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway, the first rack-and-pinion mountain-climbing cog railway, made its initial run to the summit in 1869. The three-mile route remains one of the steepest railway tracks in the world.

When visiting the park in the summer it is important to remember that the weather at the summit will be much colder and windier than at the base. Snow can fall any month of the year. To make the most of a visit, even if you are riding to the summit, bring extra clothing and sturdy footwear.

For those planning to hike, remember that the weather changes suddenly in the mountains, and is usually much worse at higher elevations. Be prepared! Hikers may wish to stop at the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) Pinkham Notch Camp or purchase an AMC White Mountain Guide for trail information and a map before starting out. If you are planning to hike from mid-October to late May, be aware that there are no facilities open and no shelter available on the summit.