White Mountain National Forest
~122 mi from BostonNew Hampshire
Complete guide to White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, Presidential Range, and trip planning resources.
14 min read
MA · Northeast
National Forests Near Boston, MA
3 forest guides within driving distance
Planning a trip near Boston? Our curated guide has the top picks.
Read the guide →National Forests Near Boston
Green Mountain National Forest
~141 mi from BostonVermont
Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest spans 400,000 acres of hardwood ridges, alpine summits, and the oldest long-distance trail in America. A four-season destination anchored by the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
8 min read
Finger Lakes National Forest
~294 mi from BostonNew York
Finger Lakes National Forest is the smallest national forest in the northeastern United States at 16,000 acres, set on the ridge between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in central New York with an honest trail system and strong blueberry picking.
7 min read
Trails Near Boston
moderate-hardout-and-back
Stratton Mountain Summit Trail
6.8 mi1,750 ft gain
~107 mi from BostonJune through October
The 6.8-mile out-and-back to Stratton Mountain's 3,936-foot summit follows both the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail. The fire tower at the top offers a 360-degree view of southern Vermont and is widely cited as the birthplace of two of America's great long-distance trails.
5 min read
moderate-hardloop
Mount Chocorua via Piper and Brook Trail Loop
7.6 mi2,400 ft gain
~111 mi from BostonMay through October
A 7.6-mile loop in the White Mountain National Forest to the iconic rocky summit of Mount Chocorua (3,490 ft), with above-treeline scrambling and views of Lake Chocorua and the Sandwich Range.
8 min read
easy-moderateout-and-back
Arethusa Falls Trail
2.8 mi800 ft gain
~125 mi from BostonMay through October
Guide to the Arethusa Falls Trail in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. A family-friendly 2.8-mile hike to the tallest waterfall in the state.
9 min read
moderateloop
Lonesome Lake Trail
3.2 mi1,000 ft gain
~127 mi from BostonJune through October
Guide to the Lonesome Lake loop in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. A moderate 3.2-mile loop to an AMC hut on a 2,760-foot lake with direct views of Franconia Ridge, suitable for families and beginners.
7 min read
strenuousloop
Franconia Ridge Loop
8.6 mi3,900 ft gain
~128 mi from BostonJune through October
Complete guide to the Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains. Route details via Falling Waters Trail and Old Bridle Path, above-treeline traverse, weather tips, and planning info.
10 min read
strenuousout-and-back
Mount Lafayette via Old Bridle Path
8.6 mi3,500 ft gain
~128 mi from BostonJune through October
Guide to hiking Mount Lafayette via the Old Bridle Path in Franconia Notch. Route details past Greenleaf Hut to the 5,260-foot summit, weather info, and trip planning.
10 min read
moderate-hardout-and-back
Crawford Path to Mount Pierce
6 mi2,100 ft gain
~129 mi from BostonMay through October
A 6.0-mile out-and-back on America's oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in the White Mountain National Forest, climbing to the 4,312-ft summit of Mount Pierce with above-treeline views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.
8 min read
easy-moderateout-and-back
Zealand Falls Trail
5.6 mi700 ft gain
~130 mi from BostonJune through October
Guide to the Zealand Falls Trail in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. An easy-moderate 5.6-mile out-and-back along the Zealand River to the AMC Zealand Falls Hut, with waterfall views and an excellent snowshoe route in winter.
7 min read
strenuousout-and-back
Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine
8.4 mi4,250 ft gain
~133 mi from BostonJune through September
Complete guide to hiking Mount Washington via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Route details, weather hazards, permits, and tips for summiting the highest peak in the Northeast.
11 min read
easyloop
Texas Falls Nature Trail
1.2 mi100 ft gain
~145 mi from BostonMay through October
A 1.2-mile loop through old-growth hemlock forest to the sculpted potholes and cascades of Texas Falls in Green Mountain National Forest. One of the most accessible and scenic short walks in Vermont.
4 min read
moderateout-and-back
Silent Cliff Trail
5 mi1,000 ft gain
~147 mi from BostonJune through October
A 5.0-mile out-and-back to the Silent Cliff overlook in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. The cliff face delivers open views across the Champlain Valley and is one of the best mid-length day hikes in the northern unit of Green Mountain National Forest.
4 min read
easy-moderateout-and-back
Falls of Lana Trail
3.5 mi700 ft gain
~147 mi from BostonMay through October
A 3.5-mile out-and-back to the 100-foot Falls of Lana waterfall in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. One of the most accessible waterfall hikes in Green Mountain National Forest.
4 min read
moderateloop
Moosalamoo Loop Trail
9 mi1,400 ft gain
~147 mi from BostonJune through October
A 9.0-mile loop through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in Green Mountain National Forest. The circuit passes Falls of Lana, open ridge segments, and dense hardwood forest for a full-day moderate outing in Vermont's northern unit.
4 min read
moderateout-and-back
Bread Loaf Wilderness Trail
7 mi1,200 ft gain
~147 mi from BostonJune through October
A 7.0-mile out-and-back through the Bread Loaf Wilderness in Green Mountain National Forest. Quiet hardwood ridges, minimal foot traffic, and genuine backcountry solitude just a few miles from Route 125.
5 min read
easyloop
Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
1.2 mi100 ft gain
~148 mi from BostonMay through October
A 1.2-mile loop through the Vermont landscape that inspired Robert Frost's poetry. Interpretive panels display poems matched to specific landscape features along the trail near the poet's summer cabin site in Ripton.
4 min read