Katelyn Michaud
With the summer solstice just around the corner, the dog days of summer are upon us. In just a few shorts weeks, we’ll be trading in our pants and sweaters for shorts and some red, white, and blue attire for summer’s biggest celebration. Surprisingly, the White Mountains are uncrowded and quiet during the holiday week making it one of the best times of the year to visit the region.
Since the holiday is right smack in the middle of the week this year, many people will take the whole week off for an early summer vacation. With school finishing shortly and the temperatures starting to rise, why not grab the family and head to the White Mountains in early July?
Why You Should Visit the White Mountains in Early July
It’s Quieter
Early July is historically quiet in the White Mountains. If you prefer the warm weather and the quiet solitude of the mountains, pack your bags and head north up I-93. Many of the local shops and attractions have dusted off the cobwebs from the long winter months and are gearing up for business. The crowds have yet to arrive, so you’ll always have a seat at a table or no lines at the water slide. There is less traffic along Main Street, and you’ll only see a few friendly faces along the miles of hiking trails winding through the famous peaks of the White Mountains.
This blog post is part of “The Guide to Summer Activities In The White Mountains” blog series.
The Temperature is Perfect
As the mercury starts to climb in July, the temperature and the humidity can often become unbearable, especially in the cities. Escape the concrete jungle and come north to the mountains where the trails are much cooler, and the average temperature is 75 degrees. There is always a mountain breeze, and you can easily find a mountainside waterfall, lake, or one of the many family-friendly amusement parks in the area to cool off. Whale’s Tale is always a fan favorite around here, too.
Uncrowded Trails and Attractions
Every year, millions of people flock to the White Mountains for skiing, hiking, camping, leaf peeping, and outdoor adventure. With warm weather and accessible trails and roads, summer is one of the most popular times of year to visit the White Mountains.
Despite the popularity of summer, early July is relatively a quiet month at most of the trailheads. With limited parking in Franconia Notch and the Kancamagus Highway, it’s best to hit the trails early. Plus, you’ll have more time to spend at the local waterholes in town.
Holiday Activities
Our nation’s birthday is always a fun celebration! Even though summer officially starts on June 21st, 4th of July always seems to be the unofficial kick-off to summer vacation. Many small towns throughout the White Mountains host Independence Day celebrations, including Lincoln and Woodstock. Start your day decked out in red, white, and blue at Lin-Wood High School where you can enjoy family games and a picnic before securing your spot for the afternoon 4th of July parade. Beginning at Alpine Village and traveling down Main Street in North Woodstock through the heart of Lincoln and ending at the Town Offices, you don’t want to miss this colorful and fun event for all ages! At 7 pm there is a patriotic music concert and fireworks.
Everything is Open for the Season
The Lincoln-Woodstock area is very much a seasonal town with high season during the winter and summer months. Many of the local restaurants and shops close for several weeks during the spring months for vacation as tourism is slow. As soon as the weather turns warm again, shop and restaurant owners dust off their menus and hang up their open signs for their first summer customers.
Many of the major attractions, like Whale’s Tale Water Park and Clark’s Trading Post open their gates for the season in late June. However, the real crowds don’t start showing up until late July, so you’ll have short lines and lots of fun. By early July, the last bits of snow and ice on the highest peaks are also melted so all the trails will be opened, and you don’t have to worry about ice gear. Although the weather in the high peaks can turn at the drop of a hat, so you’ll always want to be prepared with warm clothing. It has been known to snow on top of Mount Washington in the middle of the summer.
It’s the “Un-Official” Kick-off of the Summer
School is officially out, the temperature is climbing, and the days are long, July is officially summer in New Hampshire! August is typically the busy month in the White Mountains, so if you’re looking to jump-start your summer vacation, take a trip to the White Mountains in early July. You’ll still find availability at many of the resorts, like the RiverWalk Resort, even last minute. Leave the camping gear at home and enjoy a week or weekend in one of the best new resorts in New England. There are nightly campfires and s’mores, two outdoor swimming pools, and of course, world-class hiking
This blog post is part of “The Guide to Summer Activities In The White Mountains” blog series.
Celebrate the Start of Summer in the White Mountains
Skip the hot, sticky days of August where your ice cream melts as soon as you take your first bite and enjoy the less crowded and cooler summer days of early July. All the restaurants, shops and hotels are open after a long off-season, so there is much to do in the beautiful White Mountains. Reserve your suite now at RiverWalk Resort for an extraordinary summer experience you won't forget.
