Franconia Notch is a major mountain pass along the Franconia Notch Parkway (Interstate 93 and US Route 3) straddling Lincoln and Franconia, NH. Bounded by Cannon Mountain to the west and Mount Lafayette to the east, the notch contains Echo Lake and Profile Lake. Both are good for fishing and Echo Lake also has a public beach, part of Franconia State Park. Both lay at the base of Cannon Mountain which has a state owned ski area by the same name.

The notch has many recreation uses: There are multiple hiking trails (including easy handicap accessible ones), bike paths, a state park campground and a separate RV park, a ski area, a ski museum, public beach with canoe rentals, a seasonally operated aerial tramway and some pretty amazing scenery. New for 2012 were bike rentals and shuttle service by Sport Thoma.

The trails and parking are all free but most other things involve costs. Access to all the facilities is quite easy, and midweek parking is ample but occasional weekends and holidays seem to overwhelm resources. Plan accordingly.

The notch is also home to Flume Gorge and Visitor Center, extending 800 feet at the base of nearby Mt. Liberty and boasting granite walls rising 70-90 feet in height.

Another famous attraction was the Old Man Of The Mountain, a natural rock outcropping resembling the profile of a man. After being known and loved for over two hundred years, it fell early on the foggy morning of May 3, 2003. A fitting memorial has been created at the Old Man Of The Mountain Profiler Plaza, also along the Parkway.

Restaurants and lodging are just a few minutes away in Lincoln or Franconia, with slightly upscale amenities available 20 minutes away in Sugar Hill.