National park · United States
Mount Washington State Park
Drive or ride the Cog Railway to the 1,916 m summit in June–early October (auto road roughly US$45–50 per car plus driver, 2026 estimate); hike up only if you carry full storm layers — the summit is closed and unstaffed from mid-October to mid-May.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
- 59 acres (about 0.24 km²) at the summit, surrounded by White Mountain National Forest (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Washington State Park is a 59-acre (0.24 km²) summit park on the highest peak in the northeastern United States, 1,916 m above sea level, ringed by White Mountain National Forest. It is not a walking park: the summit complex — Sherman Adams visitor centre, Tip Top House, weather observatory, cafe — sits above treeline and is reached by the Auto Road, the Cog Railway or one of at least 15 hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail along the Presidential Range crest. The park is closed and unstaffed from mid-October to mid-May, so the visit is a summer and early-autumn decision: drive or ride up in June, September or early October, or hike up only with full storm layers and a forecast check. The mountain holds the record for the highest wind speed measured on land (372 km/h in 1934) and its summit weather is closer to polar than to the valleys below.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²) · national park since 1964
59 acres (about 0.24 km²) at the summit, surrounded by White Mountain National Forest (check).
Why go
- The highest point in the northeastern United States at 1,916 m, with a view across the Presidential Range, Maine and, on clear days, to Vermont and New York.
- The summit weather station has recorded some of the strongest winds measured on land — 372 km/h (231 mph) in 1934 — and you can see the instruments and exhibits.The summit weather station has recorded some of the strongest winds measured on land — 231 mph (372 km/h) in 1934 — and you can see the instruments and exhibits.
- You can reach the alpine zone without a full-day climb: the Auto Road takes about 30 minutes from the base, the Cog Railway about three hours round trip.
- The Tip Top House (1853) is the only building that survived the 1908 summit fire and is a small museum.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanPark closed; summit unstaffed, extreme cold and wind
- FebPark closed; only guided winter ascents
- MarPark closed; snowpack deep
- AprCog Railway may start late April; summit facilities still closed
- MayPark reopens mid-May; snow patches, ice on trails
- JunAuto Road and summit open; long daylight
- JulWarmest and busiest; afternoon storms
- AugBusy; book cog seats ahead
- SepClear, cooler, fewer cars
- OctPark closes mid-October; early snow possible
- NovPark closed; cog runs ski trains only
- DecPark closed; wind chill below −30 °C (−22 °F)Park closed; wind chill below −22 °F (−30 °C)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine flowers and dwarf cranberry on the summit plateauJun–Jul · Late spring to early summer; keep to rock and boardwalk. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Bicknell's thrush and other alpine birdsJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Beavers and wetland birds at Lost PondMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bears in the surrounding national forestMay–Oct · Store food properly at trailheads and huts. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Gorham, NH
Drive NH Route 16 south about 13 km (8.1 mi) to the Auto Road base station.Drive NH Route 16 south about 8.1 mi (13 km) to the Auto Road base station.
20 min
From Boston
I-95 north to the Spaulding Turnpike, then NH Route 16 north through North Conway and Pinkham Notch.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Portland, ME
Drive west on US 302 and NH Route 16 to the Auto Road base.
1.5–2 h
From Bretton Woods
Cog Railway base station off US 302; park and board the train.
10 min
From White Mountains region
Trailheads at Pinkham Notch, Crawford Path and the Ammonoosuc Ravine start the main hiking routes.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Summit complex | Sherman Adams visitor centre, Tip Top House, weather observatory, cafe and gift shop. | Open mid-May to mid-October with a road or rail ticket; closed and unstaffed the rest of the year. |
| Alpine zone | About 500 m of open rock and alpine herbs above treeline, including the Alpine Gardens plateau to the east. | Open to hikers; stay on marked paths and do not step on the plants. |
| Tuckerman Ravine | Steep glacial cirque on the east side, known for spring skiing and ice climbing. | Hike in from Pinkham Notch; avalanche gear and experience needed in winter and spring. |
| Huntington Ravine | Rock and ice climbing routes on the steeper east face. | Climbers only; not a hiking route. |
| Great Gulf and Chandler Ridge | Glacial cirque and the ridge the Auto Road climbs, between the Northern Presidentials and the summit. | Wilderness on foot; the road is the only vehicle access. |
Sketch map
- 1Summit visitor centre (Sherman Adams Building) · Headquarters≈44.270, -71.303Map ↗
- 2Auto Road base station · Gate≈44.289, -71.226Map ↗
- 3Cog Railway base station, Bretton Woods · Ranger station≈44.269, -71.444Map ↗
- 4Pinkham Notch Visitor Center · Trail≈44.257, -71.253Map ↗
- 5Lakes of the Clouds Hut · Sleep≈44.258, -71.319Map ↗
- 6Gorham · Town≈44.388, -71.173Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for the summit, both base stations and the main trailhead, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Road toll (car plus driver) | US$45–50 | car | 2026 estimate; each additional adult and child is charged separately (check). |
| Cog Railway round trip | US$90–110 | person | 2026 estimate; steam and diesel departures differ, book ahead (check). |
| Summit shuttle from the Auto Road base | US$40–50 | person | 2026 estimate; runs when the road is open (check). |
| Park entry at the summit | Free | person | No separate gate fee; you pay for the road or the train that gets you up. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Auto Road vehicle access permit or guide
Cog Railway seat permit or guide
Overnight backcountry in the alpine zone no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$45–50
- US$90–110
- US$40–50
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NH State Parks — Mount Washington State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Park closure
- The summit park is closed from mid-October to mid-May; there is no shelter or facility for hikers at the top in that period.
- Stay on marked trails
- The alpine plants are fragile and the terrain above treeline is exposed; hikers have died after leaving the path.
- No camping at the summit
- Overnight stays are not allowed in the alpine zone; use the AMC huts or national forest sites below treeline.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the state park (check).check
- Pets
- Allowed on the Auto Road and in the summit area on a leash; not recommended on the steep ravine trails (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Bunkhouse about 2 km (1.2 mi) below the summit on the Crawford Path; meals included, reserve well ahead.Bunkhouse about 1.2 mi (2 km) below the summit on the Crawford Path; meals included, reserve well ahead.
Near the park
AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
Bunk rooms at the base of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, open year round.
Near the park
Gorham and Berlin motels
Cheapest beds within 30–40 minutes of the Auto Road base.
Near the park
Bretton Woods and Twin Mountain
Lodges and inns close to the Cog Railway base station.
Safety
Rapid weather change above treeline high
Cold and wind chill high
Brake overheating on the Auto Road descent medium
Avalanche and ice in Tuckerman Ravine high
Darkness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The summit visitor centre, cafe and Tip Top House are reachable by car or train with short, mostly paved walks.
- The Auto Road and Cog Railway both carry passengers who cannot hike; the summit deck has steps and uneven rock.
- Ravine and summit trails are steep, rocky and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the marked path and rock; alpine plants take decades to recover from a single footstep.
- Pack out all rubbish — there is no backcountry collection above treeline.
- Use the Cog Railway or a shared shuttle instead of a second car where possible.
- Book AMC hut beds rather than camping illegally in the alpine zone.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Washington State Park?
There is no separate gate fee at the summit. You pay to get up: the Auto Road toll is about US$45–50 per car plus driver (2026 estimate), the Cog Railway about US$90–110 per person round trip, and a summit shuttle about US$40–50 per person. Hiking up is free.
What are the best hikes in Mount Washington State Park?
The Tuckerman Ravine Trail from Pinkham Notch is the most popular, 4–6 hours up with steep exposed rock near the top. The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail past Lakes of the Clouds Hut is a slightly gentler 5–7 hour round trip. For something short, Crystal Cascade and Lost Pond are easy walks from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
When is the best time to visit Mount Washington State Park?
June, September and early October: the Auto Road and summit buildings are open, skies are often clear and the crowds are thinner than in July and August. The park is closed and unstaffed from mid-October to mid-May.
Can I drive to the summit?
Yes, via the Mount Washington Auto Road from NH Route 16 when it is open, roughly mid-May to mid-October. It takes about 30 minutes up 13 km with no guardrails; use low gear on the way down.
Do I need a reservation for the Cog Railway?
In July, August and fall weekends, yes — book online in advance. Outside peak dates you can sometimes buy a seat at the Bretton Woods base on the day (check).
Is the summit safe for children?
The drive and train are fine for children. The summit is cold and windy even in summer, so bring layers, and keep them away from the ravine edges and off the alpine plants.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go