Jackson, NH Summary

Tucked into the White Mountains of eastern New Hampshire, this 200-year-old village of 700 residents has been drawing visitors to its wooded hills, rolling farmlands, steepled churches, and waterfalls since artists discovered it in the mid-1800s. First called Madbury, the village’s name was changed in 1800 to Adams, after President John Adams. In 1829 the name was changed again to honor President Andrew Jackson.

Local farmers housed the earlyday tourists until hotels were built to accommodate visitors arriving by train. In 1876 Charles Austin Broughton and his son Frank built a covered bridge over the Ellis River, one of only 55 of its type still in existence. Its nickname is “Honeymoon Bridge,” and newlyweds have made a tradition of being photographed there.

Visitors today come for Jackson’s gabled inns, horse-drawn sleighs in winter, and New England charm.

Jackson is the site of New England’s oldest ski area, Black Mountain, opened in 1936. Other seasonal activities include hiking and biking in the White Mountains, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, and fly-fishing.

The Conway Scenic Railroad, based in nearby North Conway, offers trips through the area from the end of June to mid-October.

Jackson lies west of the New Hampshire-Maine state line in Mt Washington Valley, just north of Hwy 302. It can be reached from North Woodstock via the scenic Kancamagus Hwy (Route 112), or Route 16 north from Portsmouth.

Bus service is available.