Barbara Sinotte - New Hampshire & Vermont: A Guide to the State Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas

New Hampshire is proud of its state parks; historic sites, nature areas and trails, the crystal clear waters, litter-free landscapes, crisp, clean mountain air, and rich cultural heritage. All add to the New Hampshire park experience. There are approximately 50,000 acres of public lands for recreation use that includes state parks, historic sites and forest, and 6,000 miles of trails woven through the state. Whether its sunbathing and swimming, hiking, mountain biking or camping - its all here.

Information on parks and recreation can be obtained from:

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
172 Pembroke Road
PO Box 856
Concord, NH 03302-0856
tel. (603) 271-3254

Check out the following websites for details:

www.nhstateparks.org

www.nhstateparks.com

Location: From Errol to Berlin, beside SR 16.

With rapids of Class II and III and a relatively long season, this is one of New Hampshires most popular canoe runs. The shoreline is relatively undeveloped, but theres little public land along the route. It is 35 river miles long.

For more information contact: Audubon Society of NH, PO Box 528-B, Concord, NH 03301. tel. (603) 224-9909.

The Androscoggin River

Location: From US 202 at Jaffrey, south following signs just past Squantum.

The Forest includes more than half of the shoreline of Hubbard Pond, an odd-shaped water body about 1 miles in length. Hubbard Pond Road intersects the Forest, giving guests a sampling of typical New Hampshire terrains flat to rolling land, second-growth northern hardwoods with some pine and hemlock.

Facilities: Hiking on old woods roads, hunting for deer and other select small game, and challenging fishing for smallmouth bass, pickerel, bullhead, and yellow perch.

For further information contact : Forest Headquarters, 105 Loudon Rd., Concord, NH 03301. tel. (603) 271-2214.

Location: From Manchester, north on US 3, then north on SR 28.

The principal recreation area on Catamount Pond can accommodate 1,500 visitors in the picnic area, more on the beach and in the popular play areas. Its crowded in good weather and often difficult to find a spot to relax. Take note, however, the trail system is extensive, and relatively few visitors venture beyond the developed area.

The terrain of this state park is rolling to steep. The elevation of Bear Hill is 800 ft. and, about 400 ft. above its base in the southern end of the park, Hall Mountain rises to 925 ft. The area is heavily wooded. Bear Brook flows north from Hall Mountain Marsh. There are five ponds, in addition to Catamount, and a number of small streams.

Camping: Over 80 tent sites available for campers mid-May to mid-October. The camping area is reserved for campers and has its own beach.

Hiking: Over 30 miles of hiking trails.Bear Brooks over 30 miles of trails, leading to seldom-visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offer a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

Hunting: Deer and other small game.

Swimming: Supervised beach.

Canoeing: Available.

Fishing: Brook trout and panfish. Fishing is so popular that one pond is reserved for fly fishing.

Two very popular hikes are the 1-mile loop trail around Beaver Pond which begins and ends at the campground, and the short hike to Smith Pond. The Broken Boulder Trail, which crosses the campground just past (south) Archery Pond, leads to Smith Pond. The bog at Smith Pond makes it an especially interesting destination.

For further information contact: Park Headquarters, Suncook, NH 03275. tel. (603) 485-9874.

Location: From SR 9 in Stoddard, 2 miles north on SR 123. Turn right at fire station. Turn right and follow the unpaved road for about of a mile.

This park was donated to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire in 1978 as a memorial to Charles L. Pierce, a teacher and historian. This massive park covers 3,461 acres. It is reserved mainly for wildlife observation and hiking (over 10 miles of trails).

For further information contact: Forest Headquarters, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth St., Concord, NH 03301. tel. (603) 224-9945.

Location: At Colebrook, 6 miles east on SR 26 to Kidderville, then north for about 5-5 miles.

Hikers and backpackers will love Northern New Hampshire the terrain is largely mountainous, rugged, and basically without roads, except for logging trails. Coleman is on Little Diamond Pond, in the spruce-fir country, surrounded by near-perfect wilderness.