White Mountain National Forest

Permit Information

Under the 2026 USFS EXPLORE Act rule: no permit needed for groups of 5 or fewer, free de minimis authorization for 6 to 8, Special Use Permit for 9+. Most elopements fall in the no permit tier.

Planning Your Day at White Mountain National Forest

One-Spot Day

White Mountain one spot days split clean between above treeline and in the woods. Franconia Ridge is a full day alpine commitment for adventurous couples. Diana's Baths is a 1.2 mile flat walk to a cascading waterfall. Pick based on whether you want the weather exposure or the shaded calm.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

The park is spread across the Presidential Range, Franconia Notch, and the Kancamagus Highway. Two of those in one day means a lot of driving. Most couples pick a base out of North Conway or Lincoln and build the day around one zone. Franconia Notch alone gives you the ridge, the waterfalls, and accessible overlooks within 20 minutes of each other.

A Note on Light

Above treeline summits like Franconia Ridge reward sunrise, the first light hits the ridgeline while the valleys stay shadowed. Midday on the ridge is flat and windy. Waterfalls like Diana's Baths shoot best in overcast or shade, the granite ledges catch harsh glare in direct sun. Fall foliage in the Whites peaks late September into early October, a week earlier than southern New England.

Ceremony Spots at White Mountain National Forest

• Franconia Ridge — Above treeline knife edge ridge with 360 degree views of the White Mountains for adventurous couples
• Diana's Baths — Cascading granite waterfall pools surrounded by forest for an accessible and scenic ceremony