White Mountains Winter Drive: Scenic Views Await

Yes, I love fall foliage and the colors of autumn, but I really love ALL seasons because they make me appreciate the fall colors even more. Now that Lisa and I are living up in New Hampshire, we are experiencing a “REAL” winter. We decided to take White Mountains winter drive since we’ve been in the house most of December, not because we were snowbound, but because we like to enjoy the snow from inside the house 🤣😁😍. If you are like me, maybe you are wondering…

But Yesterday Lisa and I took a drive over the “Kanc” (Kancamagus), checking the overlooks (or trying to) and the Albany covered bridge. Then up Route 16 and bypassing Conway (There are still a ton of ski-visitors there!), and went up the side road (West Side Rd, catching the Swiftriver and Saco covered bridges), jumping on Route 302. We stopped for Lunch at Mary Kelly’s Cottage, “Irish” Bar and Restaurant. We continued up through Crawford Notch, stopping at the Wiley Pond Dam and lastly at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, before heading home.

Mobility Issues: Where Can You Go?

*Just a quick note*, if you need a walker, a wheelchair, or have balance issues. I’m recommending the places below because they require NO hiking for most of the year and are easy to explore. But, as you will note, when there is lots of snow on the ground, you may or should expect difficulty walking without slipping.

At a minimum, though, I found that all areas were iced over to some degree, and I would have been better off with Ice traction devices for the bottom of your shoes. I did not bring mine, and in ALL locations, there were some ice issues. (So be warned) In late spring/summer/autumn, this is not an issue.

Winter Comparison to Autumn Colors

I’m going to “TRY” to post comparisons from previous years’ autumn fall colors in the same areas where I caught the same scenes with no leaves and the monotone winter palette. But since I’ve only taken photos from a few Scenic Overlooks along the Kanc in autumn and now winter, you MAY only get a single image. But let’s see what we can see without all the leaves!

Route 118 Overlook between Warren and Woodstock, NH

The day started heading over Route 118, which is my go-to connector to get from Warren to Woodstock, and then Lincoln and the Kancamagus. The total mileage was 176 miles. The sun tried to come out at times, but never succeeded.

Route 118 from summer through the fall is a fun drive with lots of twists and turns, but in February, the road is a bit tough due to frost heaves, which makes you think you are riding a bronco. The scenic overlook is just before (or after) the highest elevation point on the road. There is room for 3-4 cars to pull out, and a very nice view of the White Mountains. In nice weather, it is paved and fairly level. On this February day, it was plowed with little ice.

Scenic Views on the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112)

Here is where I will have some holes, mostly due to the fact that I’ve never stopped at all the scenic Overlooks (Today I got the Hancock). The Pemmigewasset and the Sugar Hill Scenic Vistas were not plowed, so I didn’t really do more than pull over and snap a quick shot. For the first time, I stopped at the Hancock scenic view.

If you want to see this area of the Kancamagus during autumn, follow this link to my YouTube channel, go to marker 2 minutes, 36 seconds, and it will take you to just as you arrive at the hairpin turn, which is the road in the above picture. The parking lot was covered in thick, rough ice.

Panorama Scenic Overlook

Our next stop was just up the road from the Hancock overlook, and this is more of an “unofficial” scenic view, but it has become my favorite over the years. On this day It was plowed with space for 5-7 cars, depending on how everyone pulls in… You can see the drive up to it in my YouTube video at the 2:54 time stamp.

CL Graham Wegan Overlook

Then we moved to the CL Graham Wegan Overlook, which was partially plowed out. The snow banks had a small trail cleared through them. But like all the overlooks this day, the normally smooth pavement (later spring through first Snow in November) was difficult to traverse without losing my balance. (I WISH I had worn my cleats on my shoes)

Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook

The Sugar Hill scenic overlook is one of the overlooks that I usually stop at each time I travel the “Kanc”. On this day in February 2026, the parking lot was not plowed, so I had no place to park.

While I managed to snag these photos from the shoulder, I don’t recommend making this a habit. The Kancamagus is a busy commuter road even in the off-season, and sitting on the shoulder can be hazardous for you and passing traffic. My advice? Stick to the plowed overlooks and parking lots. It’s safer, easier, and keeps the flow of traffic moving for everyone.

First Covered Bridge of the Day – The Albany Covered Bridge

I decided to stop to capture the Albany covered bridge in this snowy landscape. If you are planning a visit during the warmer months, you can check out my detailed guide to the Albany Covered Bridge and more on the Kancamagus for tips on exploring the riverbanks and trails.

We drove past the Rocky Gorge and the lower falls area, which were covered in a thick layer of snow, so I decided not to stop there. As we continued, we passed the Russell-Colbath Homestead, and shortly after that, I saw the sign for the covered bridge. I decided to stop and capture some photos of the Albany covered bridge in this picturesque snowy landscape. Here are a few different shots.

On this day in February, the road through the bridge to the Passaconway Road was closed, and the parking lot, while “plowed,” was NOT down to the pavement. The walk from the parking lot to the bridge was icy, and my footing was a bit of a slip-and-slide process. There was a big snowbank across the road leading to the bridge, and I took a chance and tried to climb it for the snowy shot.

Conway, New Hampshire, and two more Covered Bridges

Saco River Covered Bridge

One of my first covered bridges was the Swiftriver and the Saco bridges. This article talks about these two covered bridges and two more in the area. I love the Conway area, but it is very popular, and as a habit, I will avoid Route 16 and take Washington Street Which splits into East and West Side Roads. It’s at this point that you will find the Saco River covered bridge.

Swiftriver Covered Bridge

Leaving the Saco, you will head north on West Side Road, and shortly you will arrive at the Swiftriver covered bridge. The small parking area was mostly plowed, but, as all other areas on the Kanc that day, my traction was limited.

I believe this is the only covered bridge in New Hampshire where you can stand inside it and look out and see another covered bridge. The Saco River CB is just a hundred yards upstream.

Dining at May Kelly’s Cottage, Bar and Restaurant

Stepping into May Kelly’s is like being transported from the White Mountains straight into a cozy corner of Ireland. The restaurant has an incredibly comfortable, lived-in feel, thanks in large part to the antique memorabilia covering every square inch of the walls. From vintage signs like the old Woolworth’s and Pepsi-Cola placards to stained glass and Irish curios, there’s something fascinating to look at, no matter where you sit. It truly feels like a place that has been collecting stories for generations.

The decor isn’t the only thing that’s “oversized” here—the portions are legendary. Lisa and I decided to stick to the “starter” menu, but these were appetizers in name only:

Irish Nachos: I ordered these, which are essentially loaded potato skins. It was a “healthy” plate (in size, if not in calories!) piled high with tasty goodness.
The Sampler: Lisa went with a trio of classics. It came with three hearty bowls filled with Beef Stew, Chicken Pot Pie, and Shepherd’s Pie.

Even though we only ordered starters, the portions were so generous that we couldn’t finish them. We ended up taking a good portion home, which served as a perfect, easy dinner for us later that evening. If you visit, come hungry!

The Grand Finale: Omni Mount Washington Hotel

Our final stop was the scenic overlook for the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. This area is the gateway to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the state; for a deeper dive into the history of this area and the best spots to visit in early October, see my post on exploring the wonders of Crawford Notch.

A note on the overlook:

The View: You get this perfect panoramic shot of the hotel from just across Route 302 in a Scenic Viewing area, combined with Mount Washington, Monroe, and Jefferson looming behind it. In winter, the contrast is breathtaking.
The Footing: Similar to the other stops, the overlook area can be quite icy. If you have mobility issues, stay close to the car; you can still get a fantastic photo without venturing too far onto the frozen ground.

It’s difficult to do a comparison of two Panoramics except to post both pictures fully.