May is Here. Get Outside.
There’s a particular feeling I get every year in early May. The mud is finally starting to dry up, the days are getting longer, and somewhere on a hillside near my house, something is blooming. After months of grey skies and icy trails, New Hampshire, and all of New England, starts waking up again. And honestly? There’s no better time to be out on a trail.
May is an underrated month for hiking here. The crowds that swarm popular peaks in summer haven’t arrived yet, the air is cool and clear, and the forests are doing something remarkable: coming back to life. If you’ve been waiting out mud season, now’s your moment.
🥾 WHERE TO HIKE THIS MONTH
Spring is spectacular for waterfall chasing, snowmelt turns even modest cascades into something dramatic. A few favorites to put on your list:
Arethusa Falls, Crawford Notch, NH At nearly 200 feet, it’s one of the tallest falls in the state, and spring is when it truly earns that title. The hike is about 3 miles out and back and pairs perfectly with a stop at the Frankenstein Cliffs for big views of the Notch.
Glen Ellis Falls, Pinkham Notch, NH — A short 0.2-mile walk from the parking area gets you to a 65-foot plunge into deep green pools. Easy, stunning, and worth every second.
Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Notch, NH — Three waterfalls in one hike, finishing with open summit views from Little Haystack. This one’s a classic for a reason.
For wildflowers, head to the Welch-Dickey Loop in Thornton — the trail blooms beautifully through May — or keep it simple with a stroll through Rhododendron State Park in southern NH, which puts on a show from mid-May onward.
🦌 WHAT’S WAKING UP IN THE WOODS
May is one of the best months to spot wildlife in New England — and you don’t have to go far. A few things to watch for on the trail this month:
Moose are out in force right now. Late spring and early summer are the high seasons for moose sightings, and they’re most active at dawn and dusk, often spotted near wetlands, bogs, and roadside salt licks. If you’re in the Lakes Region or heading north toward the White Mountains, keep your eyes on the edges of marshy areas, especially early morning.
Birds are migrating through, and warblers in particular are putting on a show in the forests right now. Bring binoculars.
Bears are newly active after winter. You’re unlikely to have a close encounter, but be bear-aware on the trail store your snacks properly and make some noise.
HIDDEN GEM: JEWELL FALLS, PORTLAND, ME
If you’re near the Maine coast this month, don’t overlook this one. Jewell Falls is the only natural waterfall in Portland and sits inside Fore River Sanctuary a spiderweb of trails through wildflowery woods, over bog bridges, and along a briny canal. Best of all, you can reach it without a car.
It’s small, quiet, and exactly the kind of place most people drive right past.
EAT AFTER YOUR HIKE
You’ve earned it. May is the beginning of farm stand season in New England, and early-season ramps (wild leeks) are showing up at farmers markets and local restaurants right now. Keep an eye out: they’re one of the most distinctly New England spring ingredients you’ll find, and they’re only around for a few weeks.
BEFORE YOU GO: 3 QUICK TIPS FOR MAY HIKING
Trails dry from the bottom up — lower elevation hikes are your best bet early in the month
Mud season lingers at higher elevations well into May, so pack gaiters or waterproof boots
Some popular trailheads (like Monadnock) require reservations — book ahead at nhstateparks.org
Happy hiking. See you out there,
Gretchen
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