About the Property
Explore two miles of looping trails at the McCabe Forest where a secluded section of the Contoocook River slowly meanders along the eastern side of the property. The trails along the river pass through floodplain forests where routine spring flooding supports beautiful, arching silver maple trees overhead and large ostrich ferns on the forest floor. Hikers will appreciate the property’s relatively gentle terrain and cool, shady stands of hemlock trees on warm summer days. The wide variety of habitats across this property are excellent for wildlife observation. Listen for black-throated green warblers in the spring, watch for beaver and otter in the river oxbows, and more.
Fishing Guide
From the parking area on Route 202, the trail loops easterly toward the Contoocook River and two portions of the trail run along the banks of the river. This is slow moving water, home to warm water fish. Be forewarned that in the warm seasons, the wetlands and marshes on the McCabe Forest are known for breeding healthy populations of fish food….mosquitoes, and go prepared with your favorite insect repellant.
Please see our Visitor Use Guidelines page for a complete list of rules and regulations for Forest Society reservations.
Trail Information
Trails (two miles)
Yellow Blazes
There are more than two miles of trails at McCabe Forest. Several different walking loops are possible, with the longest at 1.7 miles long. All trails are marked with yellow blazes. The terrain is relatively flat, but some areas (especially along the Contoocook River) may be muddy during wetter times of the year.
McCabe Forest is best accessed from the parking area on the east side of Route 202, about a mile north of the center of Antrim. The parking area can accommodate approximately eight cars, but it may not be plowed in winter.
Recommended Properties Nearby
Mount Monadnock is one of the most-climbed mountains in the western hemisphere.