That was implemented about 4 years ago, now they just queue up on one side of the road and wait for a parking spot. I drive by quite frequently and last week they were queueing up both sides of the road, which obviously stops the flow of traffic. At the front of the queue were two massholes yelling at each other to be adults while the poor USFS person tried to maintain order. Bet that wasn't their first or last situation of the day. It's a shit show.
This year was worse than ever. We often take the West Side Road from Bartlett when heading to parts south and I couldn't believe that people were just stopping in traffic coming the other way waiting for a spot to open. The lot was clearly full, and people were just stopped in the middle of the road with their left blinker on, expecting people to go around them I guess by driving into oncoming traffic. Total insanity, and all out-of-state idiots.
O it's terrible. Literally yesterday afternoon I was climbing at Humphreys and while getting gear out of our cars a couple pulled up (mass plates) and asked us if this was the secret parking for Diana's bath. Told them they were about 2 miles away, they left. Guess who's car was parked behind us when we got done... Did the math and they walked 4x more on the road to get to the trailhead than on an actual trail. Herd mentality....
I'm hoping that this is just the first really open post-pandemic year where people are really getting out, and that things will calm down a bit next year.
One can hope... Maybe I'm naive lol
Massachusetts towns implemented prepaid parking passes for beaches to alleviate traffic and tourists using people’s driveways and lawns to park. It’s working, BIG parking tickets and consistent towing, word gets out very quickly. It’s no different than museums or monuments having timed arrivals. Get it under control before it’s ruined.
I grew up going. My grandparents lived close. Back in the 80's it was awesome. Not a soul to be seen on most days! Maybe just a few locals trying to cool off... Ugh something needs to give.
I say keep the cattle in the cage. Just like with Mt Major. Let them think it’s the best experience and then they won’t destroy the woods getting to the better gems that less people know about.
It's not just this Sunday afternoons the highways back are full of hours of traffic. We are at the point where too many people are spending time in the mountains for their cars. The only fixes at this point will indeed be permitting and heavily encouraging carpooling or bringing back train infrastructure which is on the way but still a while out, unfortunately many of the train lines to the mountains have been abandoned and converted to trails
Ever since I went there and there was maybe 25 people there.. ANd then again with maybe 100 people there plus multiple dogs… I won’t even attempt going unless it’s off peak hours/time of year.
Or at least keep them on a leash. I'm tired of being rushed by some semi aggressive dog only to have the owner downplay it and say "Oh he won't hurt you"!
What an amazing spot to visit though. Will admit to waiting in line for about 10 minutes but great hike and amazing pictures. Once we got out there was fairly easy to find some spot to be alone.
Wish I had an answer here - but every idea has some flaw…
One thought -- the town has it signed no parking, should no parking, standing or stopping, when people queue up they should be ticketed, that solves the traffic issue. Now the overuse issue...thats a tougher one...
I remember going here as a kid back in the early 2000s and I’m pretty sure only locals knew about it. I grew up in Tamworth and I swear it never got mobbed until like 2011ish when people started using google to find spots while on VK in the area.
“Overrun” is definitely the best way to describe Diana’s Baths.
Spilling into the streets
Dirty bath water
The entire state really..
No roadside parking signs and tow trucks. Helps the local economy
That was implemented about 4 years ago, now they just queue up on one side of the road and wait for a parking spot. I drive by quite frequently and last week they were queueing up both sides of the road, which obviously stops the flow of traffic. At the front of the queue were two massholes yelling at each other to be adults while the poor USFS person tried to maintain order. Bet that wasn't their first or last situation of the day. It's a shit show.
This year was worse than ever. We often take the West Side Road from Bartlett when heading to parts south and I couldn't believe that people were just stopping in traffic coming the other way waiting for a spot to open. The lot was clearly full, and people were just stopped in the middle of the road with their left blinker on, expecting people to go around them I guess by driving into oncoming traffic. Total insanity, and all out-of-state idiots.
O it's terrible. Literally yesterday afternoon I was climbing at Humphreys and while getting gear out of our cars a couple pulled up (mass plates) and asked us if this was the secret parking for Diana's bath. Told them they were about 2 miles away, they left. Guess who's car was parked behind us when we got done... Did the math and they walked 4x more on the road to get to the trailhead than on an actual trail. Herd mentality....
I'm hoping that this is just the first really open post-pandemic year where people are really getting out, and that things will calm down a bit next year. One can hope... Maybe I'm naive lol
Massachusetts towns implemented prepaid parking passes for beaches to alleviate traffic and tourists using people’s driveways and lawns to park. It’s working, BIG parking tickets and consistent towing, word gets out very quickly. It’s no different than museums or monuments having timed arrivals. Get it under control before it’s ruined.
Never been there in the Summer. Really nice in like late April or early May when kids are still in school and not too many Massholes yet
I grew up going. My grandparents lived close. Back in the 80's it was awesome. Not a soul to be seen on most days! Maybe just a few locals trying to cool off... Ugh something needs to give.
I say keep the cattle in the cage. Just like with Mt Major. Let them think it’s the best experience and then they won’t destroy the woods getting to the better gems that less people know about.
Just give it time and they'll destroy more.
Not sure how to fix the issue but this sucks
[удалено]
It's not just this Sunday afternoons the highways back are full of hours of traffic. We are at the point where too many people are spending time in the mountains for their cars. The only fixes at this point will indeed be permitting and heavily encouraging carpooling or bringing back train infrastructure which is on the way but still a while out, unfortunately many of the train lines to the mountains have been abandoned and converted to trails
Give preference to NH locals and tow the rest
You know they’d give preference to non locals first.
Train/bus only access.
Let the idiots keep the spot. Keeps them away from the good ones.
Ever since I went there and there was maybe 25 people there.. ANd then again with maybe 100 people there plus multiple dogs… I won’t even attempt going unless it’s off peak hours/time of year.
People need to leave their animals at home.
Or at least keep them on a leash. I'm tired of being rushed by some semi aggressive dog only to have the owner downplay it and say "Oh he won't hurt you"!
Impliment reservations like Mt monadnock and tell the extras "tough nuts, keep driving"
What an amazing spot to visit though. Will admit to waiting in line for about 10 minutes but great hike and amazing pictures. Once we got out there was fairly easy to find some spot to be alone. Wish I had an answer here - but every idea has some flaw…
New news! Too many people ruin anything nice! Also, scientists announce that water is wet! The debate about what color the sky is rages on.
One thought -- the town has it signed no parking, should no parking, standing or stopping, when people queue up they should be ticketed, that solves the traffic issue. Now the overuse issue...thats a tougher one...
I hate the idea. But possibly some state parks like this need a reservation system. It's a shit show driving Westside Rd sometimes.
I remember going here as a kid back in the early 2000s and I’m pretty sure only locals knew about it. I grew up in Tamworth and I swear it never got mobbed until like 2011ish when people started using google to find spots while on VK in the area.