A big place with lots of trails, some stroller friendly (small wheels about 1/4 mile; jogging strollers way more). Trails are wooded and field terrain, both paths and paved, one with exercise stations spaced along it. Trail maps at entrance. Quite dog friendly, they can be off leash in wooded … [Read more...]
Winter Activities
Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest (near Nashua)
At the junction where three Mass. towns meet, just over the NH/Mass. state line, this pocket of forest land spans about 1100 acres of walking/hiking paths, granite outcroppings, ponds and wetlands. It was likely the site of a Native American village before colonial settlement. There are 6 miles of … [Read more...]
Bear Brook State Park (Allentown)
28 minutes from Manchester or 23 from Concord, with over 10,000 acres, this is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire. 40 miles of heavily forested trails include marshes, bogs, summits, and ponds. The park offers a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Boat … [Read more...]
Monadnock State Park (Jaffrey)
One of the top three most hiked mountains in the world, Mount Monadnock has 35 miles of trails of different levels range from the White Dot Trail which is a direct but steeper 2-mile trail to the top (elev. 1365 ft.) to short walks through the woods, and spectacular views are to be had. Trails also … [Read more...]
Pawtuckaway State Park (Nottingham straddles Merrimack Valley and Seacoast)
5,500-acre park with walking/hiking trails, swimming, kayak/canoe rentals, picnic areas, a variety of landscapes including a large family beach on the lake. Lots of wildlife and interesting terrain. It also has camping with 192 sites that are wooded, many with views of the lake. XC skiing and … [Read more...]
“America’s Stonehenge” (Salem)
A controversial site with rock formations arranged in ways that suggests early cultures may have used it for religious/ceremonial purposes, with standing stones that line up astronomically. Rock tunnels are of particular interest to children to climb and explore and it's a nice walk in the woods or … [Read more...]