Frankenstein Trestle, Crawford Notch – Frankenstein Trestle is located along the old Maine Central Railroad in New Hampshire’s Crawford Notch in the White Mountains. And the historical marker for the trestle is located along Route 302 near the Dry River Campground. The trestle is named for Godfrey Frankenstein, a German born artist who spent time painting in the Crawford Notch area during the 1800s.
The railroad was chartered in 1867 as the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad Company, then leased to the Maine Central Railroad in 1888, and later abandoned in 1983. Since 1995 the Conway Scenic Railroad, which provides passenger excursion trains, has been using the track. The building of this railroad through Crawford Notch was a major accomplishment during the 1800s.
The trestle you see today was built in 1893 to replace the original wrought iron trestle built in 1875. The trestle was then strengthened in 1930 and 1950 to handle the heavier train loads. It is an amazing piece of railroad history!
The Frankenstein Trestle and the Willey Brook Trestle are just two of the many highlights along the Conway Scenic Railroad. If visiting the White Mountains region, consider taking a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad for an interesting adventure. And hikers who are not interested in riding the scenic railroad can hike the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to get an up close view of the trestle.
To license any of the above images for publications, click on the image. And you can view more images of the trestle here.
Happy image making..
Frankenstein Trestle Prints | Historic Information Disclaimer | White Mountains History
Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society. He has written two photo history books about the White Mountains: the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (2018) and Franconia Notch (2024).
Could you give information about parking and hiking to the trestle? How can I take a picture with a train, do you know the schedule? Thanks a lot!
Hi Alena,
I sent you an email with some information about the trestle.
Hope this helps
Hi, we are planning to visit it tomorrow as surprise to my wife. Can you send me details of location and train timings . It will be a great help and my wife will be soo happy.
Hi Bala,
I sent you an email. Enjoy your time in the White Mountains.
Hi, could you also send me an email about getting up close to this? I'd like to try to photograph the train as it comes across!
Hi Jack,
I sent you an email.
Hi Erin,
We're visiting next October with two kids, do you think is suitable for us?, Could you help us about parking and hiking to the trestle.?And How often does the train uses the trestle?. Thank you in advance.
Antonio
Hi Antonio,
I sent you an email. Enjoy your trip.
Hi Erin, what are the train scheduales and ticket prices? My husband and I are planning a day trip from Maine. Thank you for your time. Diane
Hi Diane,
The train schedules and ticket prices can be found at the Conway Scenic Railroads website:
https://www.conwayscenic.com/excursions/
Hopes this helps, and enjoy your trip
Hey Erin!
These are some amazing photos! I'm planning a New England fall trip and would love to know exactly how to get so up close and personal with the trestle. I've done some research on the Frankenstein Cliffs trail and it seems to only lead you down underneath the trestle so unsure about where I would need to hike? Thank you for your time :))
Hi James,
I sent you an email. Enjoy your trip to New England.
Hi, the pictures are so beautiful of trestle ! I am planning this in oct first week fall trip for 2023 and I will appreciate if you can help with the parking and hike details ! Thank you
Hi Mayuri,
I sent you an email.
Hope it helps
Those are great pictures! I walked the trestle in 1989 and it was a lot different from this! I really should get back and ride that train!!!
Thank you Glenn! This trestle is a great piece of White Mountains history.
Hi Erin – I really love your photos at these trestles! Can you also send me an email on the directions on where to park and hike to both trestles, and what spots near the trestles to take the best photos if possible? Also, is it safe to walk by the tracks? It looks like there is a little walking area next to the tracks, but just wondering.
Hi Xin,
I sent you an email with information, let me know if you did not get it.
Enjoy.
Hey I am planning on visiting soon. Do you have any recommendations about parking, best trails and best spot along the hike to see the train? How often does it run? Thank you in advance!
Hi Panorea,
I sent you an email about where to park. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Enjoy!
Hi, I am interested in going there this weekend to see the foliage, do you have any suggestions on where to park and how to get up there?
Hello,
I sent you a email about where to park and the hike. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Enjoy!
Hi, I am interested in going there this weekend to see the foliage, do you have any suggestions on where to park and how to get up there?
Hi Angely,
I sent you a email about where to park. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Enjoy Crawford Notch!
Hi Erin,
Where do I park and how do I get up to the tresle?:)
Hi Faith,
I sent you a personal email. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Enjoy the White Mountains!
Enjoyed the photos on the website!! Can you pls help sharing info about reaching Frankenstein trestle ? In case you know about Will Brook Trestle as well. TIA.
Hi Amol,
I sent an email about hiking to both trestles. Let me know if you didn’t get it and I will resend the information. Have fun!
Can you send me email the direction and how to parking to willy brook bridge ? I planning to go to this monday thank you
Hi Della,
I sent you an email about visiting Willey Brook Bridge. Let me know if you didn’t get it. Have a good time!
Hi,
Can I have some infor on where to park aand how to go there?
Thank you.
Hi Sasha,
I sent you an email about visiting Frankenstein trestle. Let me know if you didn’t get it. Enjoy the White Mountains!
Hi i plan to go this weekend, wondering how to get to the train tracks, any info would be greatly appreciated
Hi Matt,
I sent you an email about the parking and hiking to Frankenstein trestle. Let me know if you didn’t get it. Enjoy your visit!
Hi Erin
I hope to be visiting around Oct 11-12 and would love to see this location. I've been warned about the steep hike and read with interest your earlier post that it is 1/2 mile up the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to the Trestle. If you can send me any further detail and parking tips, I would be most appreciative.
Thank you!
Marsha
Hi Marsha,
I sent you an email about the parking and hiking to the trestle. Let me know if you didn’t get it. It is a great trestle!
Have a great time visiting the area!
Hi Erin,
i am planning to hike upto the frankenstein cliff. can you please suggest where to park and how to get the view from the trestle?
Thank you,
nidhi
Hi Nidhi,
I sent you an email about where to park and hiking to the trestle. Let me know if you didn’t get it. Its a great spot!
Have a great time!
Nice photo. Can you share any bike related info? I plan to hike it in October. Thanks
Hi Omar,
I sent you an email with information about hiking to the trestle. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Have a great time!
Hey, I am planning to visit this spot over the weekends to capture falls view, will you be able to guide how to get there and parking scenario.
thank you
Hi Hinal,
I sent you an email with the information you are looking for. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Have a great time in Crawford Notch!
Hello,
I am planning to visit on October 10th. I am a drone photographer, can you please let me know how long would it take to hike the Frankenstein Trestle and what time trains arrive please? That would be so helpful. I am planning to take drone video of the train.
Hi Yash,
I sent you a personal email with information. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Have a great time!
Hi Erin,
We are planing a trip, how often does the train go? Do we need in advance tix? What is the best time to do the hike for the foliage? We live in Boston so it's an easy trip for us.
thanks a ton !
Hi Andi,
I sent you a personal email with information about this train ride excursion. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Have a great time 🙂
Hey Erin,
How often does the Conway Scenic Railroad use the Frankenstein trestle? Daily? Several times per day?
Hi Tom,
I sent you a private message. Let me know if you did not get it.
Thank you for posting this… Drove 3 hours to hike this yesterday and the directions were spot on! Gorgeous place… Did not see any trains but already planning a return trip!
Hi Barb,
I am glad you enjoyed it! Frankenstein Trestle is great, and the history surrounding it is very interesting.
Hi Erin, I love that photo of the Frankenstein trestle. How long is that trail. I have heard comments of people who get up at 2:30a. I would love to capture that trestle in the fall.
Ainsley
Hi Ainsley,
It is only about a 1/2 of a mile up the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to the Trestle. Just remember it is an active railroad during the snow-free months. And walking on the tracks is prohibited (trespassing).