| State
Parks in Southwest New Hampshire |
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Annett Wayside (Rindge, Rt. 119).
Open and shaded picnic sites near the nonsectarian Cathedral of
the Pines National Shrine. Free admission. |
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Bear Den Natural Area (Gilsum).
Route 10 South, A short walk to ancient glacial pot holes and a
bit further to ledges that may have once been a denning area for
bears. |
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Chesterfield Gorge State Park
(Chesterfield, Rt. 9). Wilderness loop trail winds along a deep
glacial stream. The loop is 3/4 mile long and follows Wilde Brook,
returning to the park. It's an easy hike and is located conveniently
along Route 9. Picnic area at entrance to trail. Volunteers staff
Park Visitor Center, which houses a logging tool collection and
displays about local mammals. Open weekends. Free admission. (603)
239-8153. |
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Greenfield State Park (Greenfield,
NH, off Rt. 136). 400 acres on Otter Lake with completely separated
areas for campers and day visitors. Waterfront area includes swimming.
Large picnic grounds for families and organized groups. Campground
of 252 tent sites, separate beach, nature trails. Snowmobiling and
XC skiing. (603) 547-3497. Admission $3.00, children 11 & under
free. |
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Miller State Park (Peterborough,
Rt. 101). Located on the 2,290-foot summit and flank of Pack Monadnock,
Miller is the oldest state park in New Hampshire. A winding 1.3-mile
paved road leading to the scenic summit is open for visitors to
drive in summer and on spring and fall weekends. Picnicking and
hiking are popular here. Admission $3.00, children 11 & under
free. |
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Monadnock State Park (Jaffrey).
The most climbed mountain in North America offers spectacular views
of the surrounding countryside and all six New England states from
its 3,165-foot rocky summit. Forty-miles of trails provide varying
degrees of challenge for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Average
round-trip hike is three to four hours. Pack a picnic lunch and
enjoy a scenic lunch along the way to the top. Camping and cross-country
skiing are available at the park. Admission charged. Pets not permitted.
(603) 532-8862. |
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Otter Brook Dam and Lake (Roxbury,
Keene). Picnic and swimming. Sandy beach and lawns at this man-made
lake. Free admission. |
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Pisgah State Park (Chesterfield,
Hinsdale, Winchester, entrances off Rtes. 9, 10, 63 and 119). A
13,500-acre wilderness area which offers hiking, hunting and fishing,
and in winter ski touring and snowmobiling. Parking and maps at
all six major trailheads. Access by car, mountain bicycle, ATV and
snowmobile as designated on trail maps. No camping or fires allowed.
Free admission. (603) 239-8153. |
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Pierce Island State Park (Spofford
Lake). Actually a 5-acre island approximately 1/4 mile from state
boat landing, Pierce Island is densely wooded with Hemlocks. Free
admission. No facilities. |
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Rhododendron State Park (Fitzwilliam,
Rt. 119). More than 16 acres of wild Rhododendron burst into blossom
annually about mid-July. One of the largest tracts of the hardy
shrubs north of the Allegheny Mountains. Walking path (1-mile) around
the entire glen. Picnic grounds in shaded pine groves. Pleasant
foot trail (1-mile) for views of Mt. Monadnock and other peaks in
the Monadnock Region. Admission charged. (603) 532-8862. Admission
$3.00, children 11 & under free. |
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Surry Mountain Dam and Lake. Camping,
picnicking, swimming and boating. Sand beach and sprawling lawns.
Free admission to beach and picnic area. Free admission. |
