Littleton / Franconia Notch KOA

The Great Outdoors

The White Mountains are a veritable playground for hikers, skiers, mountain bikers, and just about everyone who loves the outdoors. The Whites are the tallest mountains in New England, though Mount Washington (its highest peak) is only 6,228 feet high. Don’t let the elevation fool you though; they’re frequently hit with severe weather, making them one of the more dangerous mountains for backcountry adventure.That being said, the Whites have a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts of any experience level. For those wanting a milder outing, try the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail, which parallels the river for almost 20 miles between Littleton and Woodsville. It’s mostly flat, but the trail can get fairly rough, so it’s best to use a mountain bike with wider tires if you’re going to do any cycling on it.Moderately experienced hikers can try their hand at Mount Washington, ascending via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. This is the most popular route on the mountain, and though it’s very steep, there’s nothing technical about the hike, and it's suitable for anyone who can hike for a few hours at a time. At its summit is the Mount Washington Observatory, which recorded the strongest winds ever to hit the U.S. (231 mph); those renting an RV nearby should always stay up to date on weather conditions to ensure a safe hiking experience.If climbing thousands of feet up a granite mountain sounds too strenuous for your tastes though, there’s also a cog railway that ascends the peak from its backside. Very few trains can ascend a steep mountain, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway was the first of its kind when it was opened back in 1868 (and it’s still the second steepest). Another great spot for viewing the Whites is the scenic tram ride up Cannon Mountain, one of New Hampshire’s most popular ski areas in the winter months. It’s the highest lift-accessed point in New Hampshire, and from its peak, you can see three states (Vermont, Maine, and New York) along with Quebec.

Exploring the City

There are two communities that are nearly equidistant from Littleton/Franconia Notch KOA; Littleton and Lisbon. Both have great attractions, a few places to eat, and will be good for picking up essentials or refueling when you book an RV in Grafton County.Littleton is a fantastic example of small-town New Hampshire with its main street running parallel to the Ammonoosuc River, which once provided the power to run the town’s mills. There’s even a red covered bridge crossing it – certainly a bucket list item for any New England camper rental vacation. The backside of several of Littleton’s businesses face the river, and you’ll find that many of the bars, restaurants, and breweries have outdoor patios overlooking it. If you want to load up on sweet treats for the Lisbon motorhome rental, Littleton is also home to the world’s longest candy counter – Chutters. Over 500 different types of candy, from gummy bears to candy corn, can be purchased there; just be sure to eat in moderation or risk a gut ache for the rest of the day.Lisbon is a bit smaller than Littleton but has a similar history of using the Ammonoosuc River’s power to run mills processing gold, iron, and charcoal. The world-renowned Parker Young Company, which produced piano sounding boards, was one of its largest businesses. As one of the state’s first ski towns, Lisbon was home to the very first rope tow lift in New Hampshire. Nowadays it’s a much quieter though, but if you’re a fan of rock climbing, you’ll love the climbing center in town. It’s the only full-service climbing gym in the region and offers climbs of up to four stories high.