White Mountains, New Hampshire
Jackson is a small White Mountain village about 15 minutes north of North Conway, with a covered bridge, granite falls on the Wildcat River, and a historic ski mountain just up the road.
Photo: Granite ledges and the Wildcat River at Jackson Falls, EgorovaSvetlana, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jackson sits in the Mount Washington Valley, about 15 minutes north of North Conway, where the Wildcat River meets the village. The official town site places the Jackson Falls Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places as of March 2003. The falls themselves lie between Carter Notch Road and Black Mountain Road, on a stretch of the Wildcat River designated Wild and Scenic in 1978.
A covered bridge is one of the village's landmarks. Just up Black Mountain Road, Black Mountain has been a ski area since 1935, New Hampshire's oldest, at 373 Black Mountain Road. The town also owns Prospect Farm, about 500 acres of managed forest, orchard and vistas, and has designated a set of scenic roads since 1973.
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
About 500 acres of town-owned land, acquired by Jackson in 1960. Official conservation pages describe a forest management plan, access improvements, vista development and apple orchard renovation, and earlier settlers' home-site foundations on the property. Confirm current access and any notices before you go.
Season Confirm current access and any notices on the official town conservation pages before you go.
The March 1973 Town Meeting designated a set of scenic roads: Dundee Road to the Bartlett town line, Black Mountain Road from the Dundee Road intersection to its end, Thorn Hill Road to the Bartlett line, Tin Mine Road, Thorn Mountain Road (now Switchback Road), and Iron Mountain Road (Green Hill Road). These are public roads, not a posted hiking trail; drive with care and confirm current conditions.
Season Public roads designated scenic in 1973. Confirm current road conditions, especially in winter, before you go.
Jackson is a four-season White Mountain town, with ridgelines and notch roads just beyond the village. Official chamber pages point to the mountain setting as the reason to stay. Confirm current road and weather conditions, especially in winter and at higher elevations.
Season Confirm current road and weather conditions, especially in winter and at higher elevations, before you go.
Granite ledges on the Wildcat River, between Carter Notch Road and Black Mountain Road. The river along this stretch was designated Wild and Scenic in 1978. Parking at the falls has historically been limited and timed, with longer-stay parking in the village and a walk up; a public restroom has been listed at the top. Confirm current access before you go.
Season Parking at the falls has historically been limited and timed; confirm current access and parking before you go. Older seasonal notices should not be treated as current.
A designated Wild and Scenic river (1978) running through the village and the falls. The official town site links a Wildcat River management plan; stay on public ways and respect private property along the banks.
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
The village district around the falls was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in March 2003. Official town pages adapt the nomination text and map the major contributing buildings. Walk the district from the village; confirm current parking at the falls themselves.
The village's covered bridge, named as an iconic landmark on the official Jackson Area Chamber site. It crosses the river at the heart of town and is a natural stop on a walk between the village and the falls.
The official town site lists many of Jackson's historic commercial buildings (inns, old farmhouses and summer cottages) and, separately, historic houses drawn from a Jackson Historical Society pamphlet. Use the town page as a walking guide; these are mostly private or working inns, so look from the road unless a business invites you in.
The compact village around Main Street, the covered bridge and the town offices at 54 Main Street. Official chamber and town pages treat the village as the place to start, and as the overflow parking area when the falls lot is tight.
New Hampshire's oldest ski area, in Jackson since 1935, at 373 Black Mountain Road. Official pages describe five lifts, from a summit double to a handle tow, and a base pub. Confirm current hours, seasons and conditions before you go.
Season A historic ski area; confirm current hours, seasons and conditions before you go.
A historic hotel on the Wildcat River. Official town historic-building pages say that after a 1915 fire a new hotel was built, the pasture became a 9-hole golf course along the river, and that the building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Confirm current access for visitors who are not overnight guests.
Season A historic hotel; confirm current access for visitors who are not overnight guests before you go.
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
New Hampshire's oldest ski area, in Jackson since 1935, at 373 Black Mountain Road. Official pages describe five lifts, from a summit double to a handle tow. Confirm current hours, seasons and conditions before you go.
Season A historic ski area; confirm current hours, seasons and conditions before you go.
Part of our The White Mountains guides.
Photo: Granite ledges and the Wildcat River at Jackson Falls, EgorovaSvetlana, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The underside of Jackson's covered bridge over the river, Swampyank, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: A forested cliff along the road through Pinkham Notch, EgorovaSvetlana, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cloud and mountain ridges in the White Mountains near Jackson, EgorovaSvetlana, CC BY-SA 4.0
