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News

  • Something Wild: Flying Under the Radar

    Dave Anderson, Chris Martin, Emily Quirk
    January 5, 2021

    Sometimes called a Marsh Hawk, the northern harrier is currently one the rarest birds of prey nesting in the Granite State.

  • Forest Notes: Tending to Mount Major’s Trails

    Wendy Weisiger
    December 2, 2020

    In 2013, the Forest Society launched the “Everybody Hikes Mount Major” campaign to protect the trails and land surrounding Mount Major Reservation ...

  • Forest Society Celebrates LCHIP Grant Awards

    November 23, 2020

    The Board of Directors of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has announced $4.1 million dollars in matching grants awarded to thirty-two projects across the state. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) was honored by the award of $243, ...

    Read more

Cold is Cool IF You're Prepared! A Guide to Winter Hiking & Recreation

A "Winter's Dozen" of Forest Society Reservations are Plowed
Anna Berry
December 10, 2020
Recreation
Land Conservation
Dame Forest, New Durham. (Photo: Jerry Monkman)

A graphic of a night sky over snow-covered trees that says Cold is Cool.

Planning on enjoying the colder months by hiking, snowshoeing or just forest bathing in the fresh air? Under New Hampshire’s COVID-19 guidelines, we can all continue to enjoy the outdoors. Our 190 Forest Reservations are open year-round and you don't need to register in advance to use these protected spaces, except for Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves (closed for the season) and Mount Monandock. However, winter access may be limited — visitors must follow roadside parking bans that ensure transportation routes are plowed, which means that if there are no plowed parking spaces, you may need to find somewhere else to explore. Below is a list of a "Winter's Dozen" Forest Society reservations across New Hampshire that have parking spaces plowed regularly during the winter. 

Cold is cool IF you're prepared! Remember to:

  • Hike safe and recreate responsibly (here are essential items to pack from NH Fish & Game and see the bottom of this page for some universal guidelines);
  • Follow "The Hiker Responsibility Code" that was developed and is endorsed by The White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.
  • Check in advance to see whether parking lots are plowed and respect roadside winter parking bans;
  • Hike in small family groups and continue to maintain six feet of distance between unrelated groups;
  • Be prepared for winter conditions and early sunset times!

 

A Winter's Dozen Forest Reservations with Plowed Parking

  • Hay Reservation, Newbury (The Fells parking area)
  • The Rocks, Bethlehem (more information about The Rocks)
  • Creek Farm, Portsmouth
  • Merrimack River Outdoor Recreation & Conservation Area, Concord
  • Morse Preserve, Alton
  • Weeks Woods, Gilford
  • Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey (Monadnock HQ only)
  • Madame Sherri, Chesterfield
  • Dame Forest, New Durham (4 parking spaces on each end of Longmarsh Road are plowed)
  • Mount Major, Alton
  • Monson Village, Hollis/Milford
  • Bretzfelder Park, Bethlehem

Look for this graphic on the Forest Society's reservation guide pages that offer plowed parking. Post your adventures with #coldiscool to social media and we'll inspire others to opt outside!

A graphic reminder that this property has plowed parking spots during the winter.

P.S. Here is a list of recommended NH State Parks for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

 

A graphic with recreate responsibly guidelines.

 

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Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
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