Foliage map › Scenic drives › Kancamagus Highway
Kancamagus Highway fall foliage drive
The Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) crosses the White Mountain National Forest for about 34.5 miles between Lincoln and Conway, climbing to 2,855 feet at Kancamagus Pass. It is a National Scenic Byway and one of the best-known fall drives in the country. Color typically peaks first up at the pass, around the end of September, and in the valleys at either end around October 9 to 10.
- Route
- NH 112
- From – to
- Lincoln to Conway
- Length
- About 34.5 miles
- Driving time
- About 1 hour without stops
- Typical peak
- Sep 30 – Oct 10
2026 foliage season
Typical season
Peak around October 9 at Lincoln. Turn on JavaScript to see today’s status and the five-week outlook.
Status shown for Lincoln, at 810 feet. See below for other points along the drive.
Peak along the route
Bars show the typical best-viewing window at each point. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.
Along the way
- Lincoln Woods, near the west end, where a suspension bridge crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River to a flat trail along the water.
- Pemigewasset and Hancock overlooks, on the climb toward the pass, with long views over the mountains of the national forest.
- Kancamagus Pass, at 2,855 feet, the highest point on the road, where the color usually arrives first.
- C.L. Graham Wangan and Sugar Hill overlooks, on the descent east of the pass.
- Sabbaday Falls, a short walk from the road to a waterfall dropping through a narrow gorge.
- Rocky Gorge and the Lower Falls of the Swift River, where the river runs over broad ledges beside the road.
- Albany Covered Bridge, just off the highway near the east end, across the Swift River.
Short walks
Sabbaday Falls is a short, easy walk. The Lincoln Woods Trail follows the river on a flat old railroad grade. Near the Albany Covered Bridge, the Boulder Loop Trail climbs to ledges looking over the Swift River valley.
Good to know
There are no gas stations or other services along the road between Lincoln and Conway, so plan ahead before you start.
The season at Lincoln
Bar height shows how good the viewing typically is on each day, from September 1 through November 30. Colors show the stage, from green through peak red to bare.
Nearby destinations and guides
Trees you’ll see turning
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage on the Kancamagus Highway?
In a typical year, color along the Kancamagus Highway peaks from about September 30 at Kancamagus Pass to about October 10 at North Conway. Weather can shift the timing by about a week either way.
How long is the Kancamagus Highway?
About 34.5 miles, Lincoln to Conway. About 1 hour without stops.
Peak dates come from the Leaves.com model of typical years. They are not live observations. How it works.