Hiking/Camping Suggestions for VT, NH, & ME in August?
 

Hello! My partner and I will be in New England for 10-12 days in early August for vacation. We're looking for suggestions for best places to hike and/or to camp. We're day hikers (so no backpacking), but enjoy challenging hikes as well as more relaxed ones, and we're tent campers who prefer quieter, scenic spots over big RV camps.

We're also hoping to spend at least a bit of time on the coast--perhaps in Acadia--though we're thinking most of our time will be in Vermont and/or New Hampshire. We're also hoping to spend much less time in the car driving from one spot to the next than we will actually walking around. Besides hiking and camping, we'd like to get a taste of New England (especially fresh seafood, which is scarce in the midwest, where we live) and maybe check out some local breweries. We'll also probably want a day or two off from hiking, so if there are other sites we should check out--we especially like art, science, and history museums--let us know! (Please, no shopping recommendations, though, unless it's for food!)

We're starting from Burlington, VT, but are open as to where we end up for the flight home. Any travel advice/suggestions would be much appreciated!

There are several campgrounds along the Kankamagus Scenic Byway.
http://byways.org/explore/byways/2458
Sorry I can't help you with Maine.

Thanks--we will definitely check out the Byway!

Chewonky campground in Wiscasset Maine is quiet, mostly tenters set on former farm on tidal river. There is a section for RVs near the entrance but tenters have nicer spots.

But, that means more travel time although from the Conway NH area it might not be too bad with a stop for lunch in Portland (brewery plus Duckfat for fries). But it might be easier just to do a day trip to Maine. South of Portland is pretty congested.

BTW one time we camped north of Burlington in Fairfax. Small, quiet campground no swimming pool.

We've gotten some pretty good lobster rolls at the Red Hill Dairy in Moultonborough near Lake Winnipesaukee. You could tie that in (love the drive from Rt 16 s of Conway thru Tamworth and Center Sandwich) with a visit to the Science Center in Holderness and pontoon boat tour on Squam Lake. Quiet lake with hardly any public access. The Sandwich Notch Road is seasonal and not very scenic but if you know where to look, there's a small waterfall not far from the road.

Do NOT miss the swimming hole on the river east of Bristol VT heading over the mountains. I think it's the Lincoln Pass. Great ledges to jump from and small waterfall.

However, despite being a NH resident I still haven't gotten to Diana's Baths. Maybe too crowded in August? Also, many New England supermarkets that sell lobster will steam them for free. Take back to your campsite to enjoy with melted butter and maybe some pie from a farmers market or really good farmstand.

I am a hiking nut and used to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club. If you really want good hiking, head to the Whites or Acadia.

In the Whites:
- Camp at Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park and near the AMC Highland Center. Great hikes around here are Arethusa Falls, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Willard.
- Camp at Lafayatte Campground in Franconia Notch State Park and hike Mt. Lafayette, Lonesome Lake, or Cannon Mountain.
- Camp Dolly Cop Campground in Pinkham Notch and hike Mount Washington or surrounding area.

In Acadia:
- Hike Gorham Mountain, Bubble Rock, Jordon Pond, and Cadillac Mountain.

I have a blog that I update with hiking in Northern New England called: http://thefreelanceadventurer.blogspot.com/

You might be interested in the post about "planning guide for maine/nh vacation": http://thefreelanceadventurer.blogsp...-vacation.html

Have a great trip! You'll love it!

**Oh and as far as lobster goes - go to a lobster pound and they will steam it for you. There are many on the Maine Seacoast.

*** Dianna's bath will be crowded but still fun.

*****Duckfat is AWESOME. It's crowded on weekends. Haha. I think I have a blog entry about that too. :-)

Acadia is great but is a long drive from NH if you aren't interested in doing a lot of driving--four hours from the eastern side of NH.