# Mount Washington Cog Railway

> On July 3, 1869, the inventor Sylvester Marsh put the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway into service, running up Mount Washington.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/cog-railway-marshfield/

A mountain railway that climbs Mount Washington on a cog track, running from a base station on the western side. Book ahead in summer and bring warm layers, because conditions at the summit can be cold and windy.

On July 3, 1869, the inventor Sylvester Marsh put the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway into service, running up Mount Washington. The Marshfield Base Station, at 823 m (2,700 ft), lies about 10 km (6 miles) east of Route 302 near Bretton Woods. The ride leads to the 1,917 m (6,288 ft) summit. The railway runs biodiesel locomotives and historic steam locomotives with slanted boilers that are more than 100 years old.

The round trip takes about three hours, including a one-hour stay at the destination. At the summit are the Sherman Adams Visitor Center with an observation deck, a museum and a post office. In the 2026 season the train runs to the summit through October 25, and from October 26 only to Waumbek Station at 1,219 m (4,000 ft) (as of October 2026). Pack warm clothing, because it is much colder at the top than at the base. In summer, booking early is advisable.

- **Nearest town:** Bretton Woods, NH
- **Category:** Roadside oddities
- **GPS:** 44.2706, -71.3536

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Mount Washington Cog Railway](https://thecog.com/)
- [ASME Landmark: Mount Washington Cog Railway](https://www.asme.org/wwwasmeorg/media/ResourceFiles/AboutASME/Who%20We%20Are/Engineering%20History/Landmarks/18-Mount-Washington-Cog-Railway-1869.pdf)

## Nearby

- [Glen Ellis Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-glen-ellis-falls/) – 5 mi
- [Mount Washington Auto Road](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-mt-washington-auto-road/) – 6 mi
- [Arethusa Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-arethusa-falls/) – 9 mi
- [Jackson Village](https://camping-spirit.com/places/jackson-village-covered-bridge/) – 12 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Mount Washington Cog Railway is in Bretton Woods, NH, at GPS 44.2706, -71.3536. It is about 19 mi from North Conway.

### Can you camp near Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Valley Way Campsite, about 6 mi away; within 25 mi there are 66 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Places worth a stop nearby: Glen Ellis Falls (5 mi), Mount Washington Auto Road (6 mi), Arethusa Falls (9 mi) and Jackson Village (12 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Mount Washington Cog Railway?

The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)