Franconia Notch Programs

Our 2019 Discover the Power of Parks nature programs have begun! Interpretive rangers, EilÍs Donohue and Sarah Sherwood have planned informative and fun programs for you to take advantage of while visiting Franconia Notch State Park. All programs are free with paid park admission. No pre-registration is required. Visit the Franconia Notch office or call 603-745-8391 for more information on upcoming programs.

Park Program Schedule

Interpreter Comments: Be sure to stop by the Hiker Cabin 7:30am-3:30pm in Lafayette Campground any day of the week for more information!
Date Events
August 1 (Thursday) 4:30-6pm: Birding in the Notch  (@ Campground Store)
August 2 (Friday) 9-11am: Furbearers, Our Fuzzy Friends (@ Flume)
1-3pm:  All About the Alpine (@Tram Station)
8pm: Nocturnal Neighbors: Owls (@ Campground Amp.)
August 3 (Saturday) 9-11am: Brilliant Butterflies and Busy Bees (@ Flume)
1-3pm: Glaciers; Movers and Shapers (@ Basin)
7:30pm: Hike Safe, Hike Smart (@ Campground Amp.)
August 4 (Sunday) 9-11am: Leave No Trace (@ Campground Store)
1-3pm: Tree Detectives (@ Basin)
August 5 (Monday) 7:30pm: Campfire Stories (@ Campground Amp.)
August 6 (Tuesday) 4:30-6pm: Franconia Fast Facts (@ Campground Store)
August 7 (Wednesday) 8pm: Intro to Survival Skills (@ Campground Amp.)
August 8 (Thursday) 4:30-6pm: Eco-Camping (@ Campground Store)
August 9 (Friday) 9-11am: Bear Aware (@ Tram Station)
1-3pm: Snakes of NH (@ Flume)
8pm: Explore the Park After Dark (@ Hiker Cabin)
August 10 (Saturday) 9-11am: Hike Safe, Hike Smart (@ Lonesome Lake Trailhead)
1-3pm: Hoppy Trails (@ Basin)
7:30pm: Wildlife Olympics (@ Hiker Cabin)
August 11 (Sunday) 9-11am: Map Masters (@ Campground Store)
1-3pm: Wildflower Watch (@ Basin)
August 12 (Monday) 7:30pm: Glaciers: Movers and Shapers (@ Campground Amp.)
August 13 (Tuesday) 4:30-6pm: Snakes of NH (@ Campground Store)
August 14 (Wednesday) 7:30pm: Nocturnal Neighbors: Bats (@ Campground Amp.)
August 15 (Thursday) SPECIAL EVENT: Join us at Smokey the Bear’s 75th birthday party! (@ Cannon Mountain (Exit 34B)
August 16 (Friday) 9-11am: Furbearers, Our Fuzzy Friends (@ Flume)
1-3pm: All About Alpine (@ Tram Station)
7:30pm: Nocturnal Neighbors: Owls (@ Campground Amp.)
August 17 (Saturday) 9-11am: Brilliant Butterflies and Busy Bees (@ Flume)
1-3pm: Glaciers: Movers and Shapers (@ Basin)
7pm: Hike Safe, Hike Smart (@ Campground Amp.)
August 18 (Sunday) 9-11am: Leave No Trace (@ Campground Store)
1-3pm: Tree Detectives (@ Basin)
August 19 (Monday) 7pm: Campfire Stories (@Campground Amp.)
August 20 (Tuesday) 4:30-6pm: Franconia Fast Facts (@ Campground Store)
August 21 (Wednesday) 7:30pm: Intro to Survival Skills (@Campground Amp.)
August 22 (Thursday) 4:30-6pm: Eco-Camping (@ Campground Store)
August 23 (Friday) 9-11am: Bear Aware (@ Tram Station)
1-3pm: Snakes of NH (@Flume)
8pm: Explore the Park After Dark (@ Hiker Cabin)
August 24 (Saturday) 9-11am: Hike Safe, Hike Smart (@ Lonesome Lake Trailhead)
1-3pm: Hoppy Trails (@ Basin)
7pm: Wildlife Olympics (@ Hiker Cabin)
Auguat 25 (Sunday) 9-11am: Map Masters (@ Campground Store)
1-3pm: Wildflower Watch (@ Basin)
August 26 (Monday) 7pm: Glaciers: Movers and Shapers (@Campground Amp.)
August 27 (Tuesday) 4:30-6pm: Snakes of NH (@ Campground Store)
August 28 (Wednesday) 7pm: Nocturnal Neighbors: Bats (@ Campground Amp.)
August 29 (Thursday) 4:30-6pm: Birding in the Notch (@ Campground Store)
August 30 (Friday) 9-11am: Furbearers, Our Fuzzy Friends (@ Flume)
1-3pm: All About Alpine (@ Tram Station)
7pm: Nocturnal Neighbors: Owls (@ Campground Amp.)
August 31 (Saturday) 9-11am: Brilliant Butterflies and Busy Bees (@ Flume)
1-3pm: Glaciers: Movers and Shapers (@ Basin)
7pm: Hike Safe, Hike Smart (@ Campground Amp.)

Program Descriptions

All About Alpine (guided hike)
Meet Ranger Sarah at the top of Cannon Mountain’s Aerial Tramway for a short ½ mile walk introducing you to our park’s unique alpine zone!

Bear Aware (drop-in table)
Welcome to bear country! Get the facts on the beautiful native black bear and learn how to stay safe when hiking and camping in their habitat.

Birding in the Notch (drop-in table)
Wonder which birds you’re seeing or hearing on the trails? Come learn how to identify some of New Hampshire’s native birds.

Brilliant Butterflies (drop-in table)
These pretty pollinators are a delight to see all summer long! Let’s see which ones we can identify right here in the park.

Campfire 101 (evening talk)
Head over to the Amphitheater to practice some techniques for building a safe and cozy campfire, whether you’re in Lafayette Place or the backcountry.

Campfire Stories (evening talk)
Come to the campground amphitheater to end your day with some local legends around a cozy campfire!

Explore the Park After Dark (guided hike)
Join Ranger Eilís for this family-friendly night hike. We’ll discover how nocturnal animals make their way through the dark woods and see how our senses compare.

Furbearers, Our Fuzzy Friends! (drop-in table)
New Hampshire is home to a host of furry animals! Come by our table to learn about some of our state’s fur-bearing residents and get a chance to check out pelts, tracks, and more.

Glaciers: Movers and Shapers (drop-in table or evening talk)
Did you know that this whole valley was once covered in an ice sheet higher than Mt. Washington? Join Ranger Sarah to discover the role that glaciers played in creating Franconia’s landscape that we know and love today.

Hike Safe, Hike Smart (drop-in table or evening program talk)
New Hampshire State Parks wants you to hike safe. Test your knowledge, learn some tips, and hear stories about Search and Rescue in the White Mountains at this program with Ranger Sarah.

Leave No Trace (drop-in table)
As visitors in Franconia Notch, we all want to enjoy the area’s beauty. Come learn the principles of Leave No Trace and discover how you can protect our beloved park and its inhabitants.

Map Masters (drop-in table)
Can’t read a map to save your life? Never fear! Ranger Sarah can teach you how to tell North from South, what topographic lines are, and more!

Nocturnal Neighbors: Bats (evening talk)
Are bats really blind? How many insects can they eat in a night? Ranger Eilís will answer these questions and more in this fun family program at the Amphitheater.

Nocturnal Neighbors: Owls (evening talk)
Whooo’s that flying through the night? Ranger Eilís will let you in on the secret nocturnal world of owls.

Rain or Shine (drop-in table)
Want to know what the weather will be like this weekend? Put your smartphone in your pocket and look to the sky, where we’ll try to read the clouds for signs.

Recycle Right (drop-in table)
Wondering what to do with those cans and containers from your camping trip? Stop by the Campground Store to make sure you recycle effectively and keep our environment clean.

Snakes of NH (drop-in table)
Learn about New Hampshire’s slithery locals including our lone venomous snake – the endangered Timber Rattlesnake!

Tree Detective Academy (drop-in table)
The identity of every tree in the forest is a mystery and YOU are the detective who can solve it! At this program, investigators of all ages will learn how to identify local trees quickly and confidently.

Wicked Cool Water (drop-in table)
Franconia’s gorgeous water features are more than meets the eye. Drop by to investigate the power and mystery of water.

Wildflower Watch (drop-in table)
Find out what’s blooming right now at your feet! Ranger Eilís will keep you up to date on which beauties to look for as you walk through the woods.
 

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