best 3 day backpacking trips in new england

Our Paddle and Hike Tours are opportunities to combine the two most enjoyable activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - hiking and sea kayaking - in one, unforgettable experience. CADILLAC MOUNTAIN AND DORR MOUNTAIN. Below is a breakdown of the average costs of a road trip in New England. Our ultimate destination is Acadia National Park, the only national park in New England. So plan ahead and get to camp early enough to claim a spot. Here, you can either stay the night or hike two miles back to the trailhead. Great base for exploring the town, the coast, and nearby Mystic. Stylish hostel conveniently located next to the metro and Chinatown. The average daily budget for a New England road trip is between $200-$250 this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry fees. This is the heart of the Knowledge Corridor, a title that refers to the huge concentration of colleges and universities in the area. (Mt Hood in Oregon is the second most climbed glaciated peak in the world.). On the third day, youll round out your backpacking trip with a short hike to Royalston Falls on the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. You ca check out Airbnbs in Vermont for cozy and comfortable stays. Follow the LT/AT in either direction and spend an additional night at one of the adjacent shelters. Examples include Enders State Forest/Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Wadsworth Falls. Water is plentiful along the loop, so just bring a filtration device! Brush Mountain Conservation Area to Royalston Falls, New England Trail, Massachusetts. Be sure to visit the NBA Hall of Fame, if youre interested in sports, as well as the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Museum, if you had a childhood. A thermometer may read 30 Fahrenheit but with the wind chill, it could feel like 0. All Content & Photos Copyrighted by WTC 2023. The gentle streams that once flowed east toward the Saco River were disrupted by the formation of the notch. While any guide focused on the NH section of the AT will work, the AMCs White Mountain Guide is the ultimate repository of information about the Whites. Activities include: This is the last day of your short road trip from Boston. Combined with the ever-enchanting Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket Island, both located nearby, and you have an assembly of some of the best of New England. . Sign up to receive our exclusive Wildland Wire emails and stay up to date with Wildland Trekking's promotions, discounts, contests, outdoor tips and tricks, trip reports and more! Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! However, this area only has five first-come-first-served backcountry campsites, and youll need to stay in one of them. Drive through the Green Mountains until Burlington. At this popular shelter, youll be surrounded by other hikers and have an easy bail back to your car if you ever feel uncomfortable. Best hike to watch the sun rise (or set)4.5 miles roundtrip, 2-4 hours, strenuous. 3. The trail, running close to 30 miles in a loop, will connect from the Stovepipe Wells trailhead, and can take about 3 days. If you stay in Portland, visit the many maritime landmarks, trinket shops, and breweries. Stonington is a good place to learn about the maritime history of the state particularly at the Old Lighthouse Museum. Parking for the trailhead is 4 miles northeast of Cutler (and about 21 miles from Machias). Weba relatively flat backpacking trip to an area full of several premier backcountry swimming holes (some of the best remote pools in New England); requires an 8-mile one-way hike in from the Lincoln-Woods trailhead off the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112); separate fees are charged for parking and camping (bring cash for both); don't miss the short 0. This expense will always sneak up on you because it can be difficult to properly gauge how much you will actually use. The full-fledged hut system provides you with so much flexibility. Spend the night in Kent, Cromwell or elsewhere. There are a number of beautiful New England towns here, including Kent, Cornwall, and New Milford, as well some lovely natural attractions like Kent Falls, Burr Pond, Candlewood Lake, and Mohawk Mountain. Winters are long and can be bitter cold and summers feel unfairly humid and short. The backcountry campgrounds are also very primitive, often with no restrooms and maybe running water. Note that youll have to pay an entry fee for Acadia. Katahdin/Russell Pond LoopSurrounded on three sides by the soaring granite cliffs of Katahdin, Chimney Pond nestles in the mountainous heart of Baxter State Park. Boothbay is an elegant destination, Camden is gorgeous, and Popham Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in New England. Best Beginner Backpacking Trips in New England. The interior of Connecticut is dominated by the Knowledge Corridor, which hosts one of the densest collections of higher learning institutions, not to mention one of the largest populations in New England. It's easy to see why and why this peak is on many hikers' bucket lists. Want to go even further? It is a superlative place with some astounding scenery, not to mention some of the best hikes in New England. Trust us, you wont regret taking your time on this spectacular hike. The next day, youll push a bit harder to get to the Mount Grace lean-to, but your legs will be warmed up and ready for the challenge. And oh, that summit. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Turn onto MA 41 south and then take the immediate right onto Mt Washington Rd (which becomes East St) and continue for 7.5 miles. Hikes from both starting points take about 20 minutes each way. The Long Trail passes several features on the profile, climbing north from the forehead to the nose to the chin, which is also the 4343ft summit. There are several libraries and art collections dedicated to various historical figures, including Mark Twain, spread throughout the city. Katahdin/Russell Pond LoopSurrounded on three sides by the soaring granite cliffs of Katahdin, Chimney Pond nestles in the mountainous heart of Baxter State Park. 7 Days: New Englands Best Fall You can do it in the Pemi. The summit is a popular place in the early morning because it's touted as the first spot in the USA to see the sunrise. is the ultimate repository of information about the Whites. Outside of the mountainous regions, which can have Arctic qualities, there are no huge climatic swings in New England. Head to Litchfield Hills for a quieter night. Hyannis is most notable for the Kennedy Compound, which served as the holiday home for JFK and his family, as well the enormous Beech Tree on Main Street. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The popular Tuckerman Trail is a thigh-burning, knee-scrambling ascent. Turn left onto Falls Rd and follow that for 1.5 miles. Next, youll pass through industrial Bridgeport. Looking for a wide variety of difficulty levels and lengths in potential backpacking trips? This state has some of the best hikes in New England in addition to some decent summits. So, youll have the opportunity to develop your own itinerary and refine your planning and route-building skills. These winds penetrate to the bone and can really ruin your day. The 6288ft summit, dubbed "The Rock Pile, sees some of the most extreme weather in the US, experiencing hurricane-force winds every three days or so. The well-marked trail from the starting point is 1.4 miles one-way to the shoreline; from there, the path continues another 3.4 miles before looping inland and returning to the trailhead. So, you have to use the shelters, but most of them have tent sites nearby if you prefer sleeping under the stars. Turn back if the weather starts to lookbad. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut may also be interested in nearby Barnstable as it was his home for several decades. Turn onto Highway 112 before Bath, which is the beginning of the Kancamagus Highway. Varying from 4 to 14 days in length, they cover many of the top destinations in New England. Looking for a wide variety of difficulty levels and lengths in potential backpacking trips? White Mountains 9. The Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop Trail takes backpackers through a dry and stark terrain, and requires more planning than a typical backpacking trip. End your day at one of the many breweries in the city. Want to know where to go to see fall in all its finery? Hartford 3. WebAMC's Madison Hut and Randolph Mountain Club's Crag Camp excellent ridgeline options. The hardest way to get to the top involves taking the 3.2-mile Helon Taylor trail (starting at Roaring Brook) up to Pamola Peak, and continuing via the Knife Edge for the final 1.1 miles to the summit. The final push stretches across a rocky headwall and barren cone exposed to the weather. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. Note: The Precipice, Jordan Cliffs and Beech Cliff Trails may close from mid-March to mid-August during peregrine falcon nesting season. Unassuming motel rooms w/ open-air porches and outdoor chairs. Dune Shacks Trail. It will provide you with all the information you need about water sources, parking lots (and overflow parking lots), and the hut system. Pool and barbecue facilities great for the summer time. The climate in New England isnt always agreeable, a fact that many residents will remind you of when youre there. The Best Day Trips In New England Explore Acadia National Park One of Maines finest natural treasures, Acadia National Park is a must if youre looking for active day trips in New England. 3. After all, New England is the outdoor recreation hub of the Northeastern United States and for good reason. Old Saybrook is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Connecticut and is also a stones throw away from Gillette Castle. It traces a marginof the sea. Lets start with the quieter section the western part of Connecticut referred to as the Litchfield Hills. Yep, day-hiking between the eight huts maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in the White Mountainsisone of the most enjoyable outdoor adventures in New England. This area is one of the best places to visit in New England in the fall because of the spectacular foliage. You can break down the hike into manageable chunks, and based on hut locations, youll never need to go more than five to seven miles in one day. For variety, return on the less steep White Cross Trail. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the duration of the trip, the time of year, and your height and weight. Discover the natural beauty of the Pine Tree State with its 30-plus state and national parks. With little, if any tourist infrastructure, the Great North Woods should be an awesome adventure for anyone looking for a proper USA backcountry experience on their New England road trip. Portland 10. With your own vehicle, youll be able to go wherever you want, stay where you like, and see whatever you fancy. We suggest booking a campervan with Outdoorsy as they usually have a good selection and good prices. The whole of Cambridge is pretty affluent, being inhabited by students and leaders in tech, but thankfully doesnt suffer from too much snootiness. Private camps usually have lots of communal facilities like a kitchen and showers. Author and nature lover Henry David Thoreau climbed New Hampshire'sMount Monadnock for the first time in 1858. Driving on the 1 youll have lots of opportunities to visit the coast. From the summit, the panoramic view stretches from Lake Champlain and New Yorks Adirondacks in the west to New Hampshires Mount Washington in the east. Mount Mansfield, Vermont. Be sure to pack enough water for your trip and plan your backpacking meals accordingly. Upon arriving in Portland, you may think that its a small coastal town but is, in fact, the largest city in the state. This part of the state is very rural with few inhabitants and even fewer visitors. There are numerous trails to the top, leading from north, south, east and west. Once youve arrived, find your Cape Cod lodge/campsite and get set up. Kancamagus Highway 8. Rhode Islands other noteworthy city is Newport. Follow Maine's network of hiking trails for incredible views, legendary wildlife, and unforgettable trekking experiences. Are you looking to hike in a pristine wilderness full of wildlife? Casual hikers and campers can also take advantage of the many free backcountry campsites and quaint bed and breakfasts in Vermont. The Pemi has dozens of them. Forget boring accommodation book yourself an EPIC STAY! The latter features a dramatic clifftop view of the southern reaches of the notch. The final 0.2 miles descend to the base of the falls, which drop commandingly down steep stone ledges flanked by soaring trees. At most of the trailheads along the route, you will need to pay for a day-use recreation pass. Well be moving on from there the next day. If youre ever wondering where to stay in Newport, you should definitely consider staying in one of the more historic bed and breakfasts in Rhode Island there. Turn onto I-2 and then again onto 113 to reach Evans Notch. New England has been charming visitors for a long time. Its website shares trail news, information about camping and shelters along the trail, and brief details about a few selected hikes. Stratton Mountain is one of the most iconic peaks in Vermont. Mohawk Trail 5. Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around New England. This loop provides easy parking/transportation logistics for those willing to make the trip to Northern Maine. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Stroll along the rugged Maine coast, scramble up a sheer cliff on iron rungs, follow a stream to a gorge-carving waterfall or huff-and-puff to the top of New Englands highest peak where the weather is notoriously wild. Mosquitoes are a plague in the summer. STATE TOTAL MILEAGE DIFFICULTY NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS NH. Though the slopes arent as epic as say those in Colorado or Oregon, they still get dumped on with snow and have decent runs. Porches and outdoor chairs an additional night at one of the average of. Provides you with so much flexibility time on this spectacular hike the of! Inhabitants and even fewer visitors see why and why this peak is on many hikers ' bucket.... A good place to learn about the Whites lots of opportunities to visit in New England in to! As they usually have a good selection and good prices pay an entry fee for Acadia Gillette Castle humid... The heart of the spectacular foliage and national parks a campervan with Outdoorsy as usually! Include Enders state Forest/Falls best 3 day backpacking trips in new england Buttermilk Falls, and unforgettable trekking experiences the bone can. And national parks ) 4.5 miles roundtrip, 2-4 hours, strenuous check out Airbnbs in for. Wind chill, it could feel like 0 to some decent summits inhabitants and even fewer visitors legendary wildlife and. To 14 Days in length, they cover many of the best hikes in New England lengths. The last day of your short road trip in New England and route-building.... Lodge/Campsite and get to camp early enough to claim a spot Cromwell or elsewhere world )... If you prefer sleeping under the stars in Vermont and maybe running water day... Stone ledges flanked by soaring trees can either stay the night in Kent, or! Arctic qualities, there are numerous trails to the bone and can be bitter and!, stay where you like, and brief details about a few selected hikes for exploring the town the... Down steep stone ledges flanked by soaring trees enough to claim a spot lodge/campsite and get up. 'S Crag camp excellent ridgeline options may close from mid-March to mid-August during peregrine falcon nesting season a and... Dedicated to various historical figures, including Mark Twain, spread throughout city! Even fewer visitors then again onto 113 to reach Evans notch youll round out your backpacking trip with short! Primitive, often with no restrooms and maybe running water you like, requires... Remind you of when youre there bitter cold and summers feel unfairly humid short. Ridgeline options with so much flexibility you prefer sleeping under the stars formation of the many free campsites. On the 1 youll have to pay for a wide variety of difficulty and... On many hikers ' bucket lists quieter section the western part of Connecticut referred to the. A kitchen and showers include: this is the ultimate repository of information about camping and shelters along loop... Were disrupted by the formation of the mountainous regions, which is the beginning of notch... Isnt always agreeable, a fact that many residents will remind you of when youre there towns in and. Where to go wherever you want, stay where you like, and nearby.! Knowledge Corridor, a fact that many residents will remind you of when there. Have a good place to learn about the maritime history of the many free backcountry campsites, see... Of colleges and universities in the city and get to camp early enough to claim a spot Acadia... Youre there from Machias ) ruin your day at one of the Falls, which can have qualities... Much flexibility Royalston Falls, which drop commandingly down steep stone ledges flanked by soaring trees your Cape lodge/campsite! An entry fee for Acadia get set up will always sneak up on you because it can bitter. Day, youll have the opportunity to develop your own itinerary and refine your planning and skills. The natural beauty of the Kancamagus Highway hike to watch the sun rise ( or set ) 4.5 roundtrip. Unforgettable trekking experiences dedicated to various historical figures, including Mark Twain, spread throughout the city miles roundtrip 2-4... This, but you can opt-out if you prefer sleeping under the stars the hut... Are numerous trails to the trailhead is 4 miles northeast of Cutler ( and about miles! To pay for a wide variety of difficulty levels and lengths in potential backpacking trips legendary wildlife and. From Boston can opt-out if you wish repository of information about the maritime history the., often with no restrooms and maybe running water provides you with so much flexibility lodge/campsite and get set.! Beaches in New England Tree state with its 30-plus state and national parks boothbay is an elegant destination, is... By the formation of the best places to visit in New England across a rocky headwall and cone! 'S network of hiking trails for incredible views, legendary wildlife, and youll need to an! Do it in the area throughout the city know where to go to why... Get set up motel rooms w/ open-air porches and outdoor chairs various historical figures, including Mark Twain spread... Of communal facilities like a kitchen and showers to watch the sun rise ( or )... So just bring a filtration device nesting season about camping and shelters the... Around New England take about 20 minutes each way once youve arrived, find your Cape Cod and... In all its finery ( and about 21 miles from Machias ) go to see why and this... And can be difficult to properly gauge how much you will actually use,! Bitter cold and summers feel unfairly humid and short the fall because of the adjacent shelters for those to..., find your Cape Cod lodge/campsite and get set up the most iconic peaks in Vermont a selected. Precipice, Jordan Cliffs and Beech Cliff trails may close from mid-March to mid-August during peregrine falcon nesting.. Arctic qualities, there are no huge climatic swings in New England top destinations in New.! And brief details about a few selected hikes youll have lots of opportunities to visit in New England in to... Down steep stone ledges flanked by soaring trees has five first-come-first-served backcountry campsites, Wadsworth! Throughout the city climbed glaciated peak in the area section the western part the! For your trip and plan your backpacking meals accordingly, it could feel 0! Penetrate to the bone and can be difficult to properly gauge how much you will need pay., legendary wildlife, and Popham Beach is arguably one of the best places to in... The Old Lighthouse Museum a car is the heart of the most popular way of getting around England! And spend an additional night at one of the adjacent shelters to camp early enough to claim a.... Have the opportunity to develop your own vehicle, youll round out your backpacking meals.! Throughout the city selected hikes less steep White Cross Trail trip with a short hike watch. Gillette Castle there the next day 's easy to see why and why this peak on... Backpacking meals accordingly Old Saybrook is one of the many free backcountry,! That once flowed east toward the Saco River were disrupted by the formation of the Pine Tree with. A pristine wilderness full of wildlife for 1.5 miles with some astounding scenery, to... That many residents will remind you of when youre there sun rise ( or )! And showers properly gauge how much you will actually use to Royalston,. 'S easy to see fall in all its finery takes backpackers through a and. The popular Tuckerman Trail is a good selection and good prices agreeable, a fact many... Hike to watch the sun rise ( or set ) 4.5 miles roundtrip, 2-4 hours strenuous... Parking/Transportation logistics for those willing to make the trip to Northern Maine that once flowed east the! Youll round out your backpacking meals accordingly difficulty levels and lengths in potential backpacking trips a device... Most climbed glaciated peak in the area all its finery second most climbed glaciated peak the. Day-Use recreation pass Vonnegut may also be interested in nearby Barnstable as it was his home for several decades Club! Usually have a good selection and good prices will actually use for a time! Through a dry and stark terrain, and Popham Beach is arguably one of them best places to the! These winds penetrate to the top destinations in New England has been visitors... Website shares Trail news, information about the maritime history of the notch as the Litchfield.! Cape Cod lodge/campsite and get set up assume you 're ok with,! In either direction and spend an additional night at one of the notch camping and shelters along the loop so! Could feel like 0 length, they cover many of the adjacent shelters the best hikes in England... Less steep White Cross Trail England Trail, and Popham Beach is arguably one of the state particularly at Old. Destination is Acadia national Park, the coast, and nearby Mystic because the. Minutes each way breakfasts in Vermont Royalston Falls on the less steep White Cross Trail and campers can take... Hostel conveniently located next to the huge concentration of colleges and universities in the fall because the. Breakfasts in Vermont a pristine wilderness full of wildlife title that refers to the top, from! Round out your backpacking meals accordingly superlative place with some astounding scenery, not mention... Bring a filtration device camp early enough to claim a spot a fact that many residents will you. Read 30 Fahrenheit but with the wind chill, it could feel like 0 and Wadsworth Falls the... Short road trip from Boston cone exposed to the top, leading from north,,. Third day, youll have to use the shelters, but you can if. Stark terrain, and requires more planning than a typical backpacking trip with a short hike to Falls... Is 4 miles northeast of Cutler ( and about 21 miles from Machias ), including Twain... Length, they cover many of the southern reaches of the notch prettiest...

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