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News

  • That's a Wrap on the 5 Hikes Challenge

    Anna Berry
    November 20, 2023

    Thanks for getting outside with us this fall and we'll see you in 2024.

  • 5 Hikes Challenge: Make a Move

    Anna Berry
    October 18, 2023

    But what if we simply started to move more, not for the sake of moving, but for the pleasure of it?

  • Midge and Tim Eliassen of Sunapee Named 2023 Conservationists of the Year

    Kelly Whalen
    October 3, 2023

    “Midge and Tim are literally and figuratively, trailblazers,” states Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society.

Forest Society Guide to Winter Hiking & Recreation

Your Guide to Regularly Plowed Forest Society Reservations
Anna Berry
November 1, 2023
Recreation
Land Conservation
Dame Forest, New Durham. (Photo: Jerry Monkman)

Planning on enjoying the colder months by hiking, snowshoeing or just forest bathing in the fresh air? Our 191 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 Monadnock (reservations recommended).

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 12 Forest Society reservations across New Hampshire that have parking spaces plowed regularly during the winter. 

12 Forest Reservations with Plowed Parking

  • Bretzfelder Park, Bethlehem
  • Creek Farm, Portsmouth
  • Dame Forest, New Durham (Longmarsh Road-Route 108 end)
  • Hay Reservation, Newbury (The Fells parking area)
  • Madame Sherri, Chesterfield
  • Merrimack River Outdoor Recreation & Conservation Area, Concord
  • Monson Village, Hollis/Milford
  • Morse Preserve, Alton
  • Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey (Monadnock HQ and Old Roll Road parking only)
  • Mount Major, Alton
  • Forest Society North at The Rocks, Bethlehem
  • Weeks Woods, Gilford

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

  • Hike safe and recreate responsibly (pack the 10 Essentials and see the bottom of this page for some universal guidelines);
  •  Download the Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial, for digital maps of our reservations;
  • 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;
  • Be prepared for winter conditions and early sunset times!

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

A graphic of 10 essentials for winter recreation: navigation, flashlight, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire starter, shelter, extra food, water and clothing.

 

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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