Franconia, New Hampshire — If there’s one place that’s become synonymous with fall foliage in New Hampshire, it’s Artist’s Bluff at Franconia Notch State Park. Located across the street from Cannon Mountain, the relatively short hiking trail gives access to a panoramic view of Franconia Notch and Cannon Mountain.
Its convenience makes for scenes like this…
The situation came to a head during Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend when hikers reported cramped and dangerous conditions to reach the viewpoint. Users on AllTrails reported hazardous conditions due to it being swamped with tourists, and many did not know proper hiking etiquette. One user compared it to waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland.
Tamara Breau spoke with NBC Boston about what she witnessed while hiking the trail:
“We saw people pushing each other, going off-trail to bypass crowds. A few hikers came down from the summit saying they were terrified by how packed it was.”
WMUR spoke with Jace Wirth, the new General Manager of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park. Due to crowding issues, they’re considering paid parking during the fall and timed entry. However, due to their location in a state park, New Hampshire’s legislature would have to approve these major changes.
So, if you’re going to hike to Artist’s Bluff, it’s probably best to go anytime except during fall foliage season. New Hampshire has many great trails to explore during the fall, and Artist’s Bluff is as stunning at other times of the year. If you do want to check out Artist’s Bluff during the fall, don’t visit during the weekend.
Image/Video Credits: WMUR, Franconia Notch State Park
