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Nature|National & State Parks

These 7 New Hampshire Parks Are Even More Beautiful In Winter

New Hampshire's state parks offer stunning winter beauty and unique activities.

Published Jan 12, 2018

Written by 

Rachel

New Hampshire's state parks are absolutely spectacular and beloved by locals and tourists alike — that's absolutely undeniable. But most people tend to think of them as spots to visit in the summer or fall, not so much during the frostier months. But winter is long in New Hampshire, and holds its own special beauty— there's no sense in avoiding some of the best spots in the state for months on end. In fact, we think these 7 New Hampshire parks are even more beautiful in the winter!

1. White Mountains National Forest

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Flickr/Simon Wu

The White Mountains are especially stunning covered in snow and ice. Of course, you'd need to be an experienced climber to summit any of the mountains, but the Kancamagus is an absolutely gorgeous drive.

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2. Franconia Notch State Park

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Flickr/Robert Jagger

The dramatic Basin and Flume Gorge remain accessible by short hikes during the winter months, and when they freeze over the ice is absolutely spectacular.

3. Odiorne Point State Park

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Flickr/Mark Bonica

There's little more beautiful than a snow-covered beach, and you'll find just that at Odiorne Point State Park in the winter. The trails at this park also make it a great spot to cross-country ski.

4. Mount Sunapee State Park

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Facebook/Mount Sunapee Resort

Thanks to its amazing ski mountain, Mount Sunapee State Park really comes alive in the winter. The frozen lake is incredibly beautiful as well.

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5. Echo Lake State Park

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NH State Parks

Echo Lake is magnificent all year with its backdrop of stony mountains, and it looks positively magical under ice and snow. Cathedral Ledge is a doable winter hike, and it'll give you fantastic views.

6. Ellacoya State Park

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Flickr/John Rosset

Right on the shores of Lake Winnepesaukee, this park is the perfect place to see the lake devoid of tourists and glazed with ice. You'll appreciate it in a whole new way.

7. Bear Brook State Park

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NH State Parks

This massive park has miles and miles of trails that are well kept and perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just plain hiking.

What's your favorite state park? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for more gorgeous New Hampshire sights? Check out these towns with spectacular scenery.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Hidden Nature Park In New Hampshire With Its Very Own Old-Growth Trees, Fire Lookout, And So Much More

Published Jun 18, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

New Hampshire is certainly well-known for its natural wonders, such as the high White Mountains and open landscape vistas. The more popular locations can draw thousands of visitors each year. Personally, I prefer to seek out the lesser-traveled spots, which may not be as impressive on a grand scale but are in no way any less interesting. One natural area in New Hampshire that you may not know about is tucked away off an auxiliary highway in the rural town of Tamworth. Let's take a walk to Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest.

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Big Pines Natural Area - Hemenway State Forest lies off State Route 113A in the town of Tamworth. A trail system within the forest spans two-and-a-half miles in total.

Wooden sign for Big Pines Natural Area at Remenway State Reservation, surrounded by trees and autumn foliage.
Private Info/All Trails

A variety of woods walks and longer hikes can be made here, from a 0.3-mile interpretive trail to an approximately two-mile round trip to the summit of Great Hill and back.

A wooden bridge with stairs crosses a stream, surrounded by lush green trees and rocky terrain.
Finley Wetmore/All Trails

Big Pines Natural Area features towering eastern white pine trees as tall as 150 feet and as wide as 15 feet. While "young" at 150-200 years of age, these trees are still growing to their maximum size.

A tall tree viewed from below, surrounded by lush green foliage and a bright sky peeking through the leaves.
Julie Twomey/All Trails

In addition to the giant pines, other trees that can be found here include hemlocks up to 300 years old, sugar maples, red spruce, and yellow birch.

A forest scene with tall trees and a clear sky visible through the leaves, showcasing a natural, serene environment.
Eric Amador/All Trails

The full tour of the forest leads one to the summit of Great Hill, where a fire lookout tower has stood watch since 1934. It remains one of the state's active lookouts to this day.

A tall fire lookout tower surrounded by lush green trees and a clear sky, viewed from a forest path.
Julie Twomey/All Trails

Hikers can climb part of the way up the fire lookout to an observation platform. Here, there is an expansive view of the Sandwich Range to the north.

A scenic view of mountains under a partly cloudy sky, surrounded by trees and a vast landscape.
Zach Prescott/All Trails

In spring, also keep an eye on the ground while exploring here. Trillium, both red and painted, is a common wildflower in New Hampshire.

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A flowering plant with large green leaves and white petals featuring pink stripes, surrounded by forest floor debris.
kristina hale/All Trails

For more information on this interesting natural area in New Hampshire and to download a trail map, visit the Tamworth Conservation Commission. You can also learn more about the trees here by visiting the Old-Growth Forest Network. Now lace up those boots and get out there!

Explore more ancient trees by visiting the Sheldrick Nature Preserve in Wilton.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/sheldrick-forest-nh/

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Most Remote State Park In New Hampshire Is The Perfect Place To Escape

Pisgah State Park in New Hampshire offers a remote and beautiful wilderness experience with diverse landscapes and historical sites.

Updated Apr 24, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

This article is a bit timely, as I've been walking a lot of miles recently in Pisgah State Park as part of a book project. Some New Hampshire state parks are easily accessible from major highways, which makes them very popular. Pisgah is different in that it's far away from the allure of the White Mountains but is no less beautiful. You can really feel away from it all here and it is one of the most remote state parks in New Hampshire.

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Pisgah State Park, which spans over 13,000 acres within the towns of Winchester, Chesterfield, and Hinsdale, offers more of a wilderness feel than many other state parks.

A wooden bridge spans a lush, green forest with dense trees and ferns surrounding it.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

We think this makes it one of the best state parks in New Hampshire.

The main summit located within the park is the 1,329-foot Mt. Pisgah. There are wide views in several directions from its ledgy top.

A panoramic view of lush green forests and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.
Theresa Koski/All Trails

Part of the charm of Pisgah State Park for me is its variety of ponds, swamps, and wetlands.

A serene wetland scene with calm water, lush greenery, and a blue sky dotted with clouds.
Alex M/All Trails

Kilburn Pond is one of the larger ponds in the park. A loop hike of 6.3 miles can be made around its perimeter.

A serene lake surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky, viewed from a rocky shoreline.
Carolyn Drumsta/All Trails

Several of the main roads through the park are remnants of when this area was used for farming in the 19th century.

A dirt path winds through a forest with colorful autumn leaves and tall trees under a clear blue sky.
Steven Fuller/All Trails

Along these roads are signed historical sites that include old homesteads, mills, dams, and boarding houses.

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A snowy forest scene with a sign for William King Water Mill Site beside a partially frozen stream.
Lisa Belanger/All Trails

Latham-Beal Cemetery along Beal's Road dates back to 1790 and is one of the oldest burial sites in the town of Chesterfield.

A serene forest scene featuring a small, old graveyard with several gravestones surrounded by trees and a stone wall.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

If you are looking for one of the most remote state parks in New Hampshire, Pisgah State Park offers plenty of opportunities for exploration away from the crowds. To learn more and to download a trail map, visit the Pisgah State Park website.

New Hampshire's state parks system has a wide variety of outdoor spaces to explore, and here are nine under-appreciated parks to check out. Before hitting the trails, also check out our ultimate hiking packing list for everything you'll need for a safe trek.

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