Willey House Historic Site sits within Crawford Notch State Park, tucked beneath the steep granite walls of the White Mountains in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The site marks one of New England’s most haunting historical events — the 1826 landslide that killed the entire Willey family, who ironically died fleeing their home while the house itself was spared by a rocky outcrop that split the debris flow around it.

Today, the Willey House area serves as a gateway to some of the finest hiking and scenery in the White Mountains. The Ripley Falls Trail departs nearby, leading to a striking 100-foot cascade that rewards hikers after a moderate 1-mile climb. The Ethan Pond Trail connects to the Appalachian Trail for longer backcountry adventures. In winter, Crawford Notch transforms into a quiet corridor of ice-draped cliffs and cross-country skiing opportunities.

The site includes interpretive displays about the Willey disaster and the geological forces that shaped Crawford Notch. A small pond near the historic site offers a peaceful spot to rest and take in the sheer cliff faces rising on either side of the notch.

Visit between late September and mid-October for peak foliage — the notch funnels color into one of New Hampshire’s most photographed autumn corridors. Summer brings the best hiking conditions and access to swimming holes along the Saco River. Expect variable mountain weather year-round and pack layers even in July. No entrance fee is required for the Willey House area itself, though some trailheads require a parking pass.

Explore Nearby

• White Mountain National Forest — National Forest in New Hampshire, Maine
• White Mountain Trail — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire
• Kancamagus Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire
• Mount Orne Bridge — Covered Bridge in New Hampshire
• Mount Orne Bridge — Covered Bridge in Vermont