The Rocks

A field of snow-covered Christmas trees.
Fall red foliage with rows of balsams in background at The Rocks
Formal gardens at The Rocks.
A team of Clydesdales pulls a sleigh in the snow.
The view of a snow covered trail from inside a dog sled pulled by dogs.
The sun sets over a mountain view from The Rocks.
A map of The Rocks reservation.

About the Property

*NOTICE: The Rocks' trails are CLOSED to the public due to construction work at the Carriage Barn, except for special events and programs including the NH Maple Experience. 

Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, The Rocks is a protected reserve that serves as the Forest Society’s North Country Conservation and Education Center. Featuring more than 13 buildings on the National Historic Register, The Rocks reserve evokes the gilded era of a century ago of long vacations in the refreshing summer air of the White Mountains.

Once a self-sustaining farm, The Rocks is now home to the Forest Society's sustainable Christmas tree farm. Each year trees are carefully hand-shaped and wreaths are meticulously decorated to raise money for land conservation in New Hampshire.

Visitors to The Rocks in picturesque Bethlehem, New Hampshire, can ramble along scenic trails seeking wildlife such as moose, coyote, bear, kestrels and bobolink, enjoy a picnic in our terraced gardens with butterflies and hummingbirds, attend one of our educational programs, or just visit and enjoy the incredible views of the Presidential Range.

Forest Society North is a multi-year restoration and renovation project that started in 2020 and that we hope to complete by the summer of 2023. Click here for details on the project, or to make a contribution.

 

Submit Your Photos!

Hikers, students, community groups, and individuals can contribute to our environmental monitoring by through digital photography. Picture Posts are stationed at various forest reservations to help document environmental changes in the landscape and habitat. Click the links below to view the Picture Posts at the Rocks and submit your photos. Instructions for how to take the photos are on each post:

Christmas Tree Fields

Maple Experience Field

Trail Information

Christmas Tree Trail- CLOSED

Difficulty: 
Easy
Round-trip Distance: 
0.80 miles

The Christmas Tree Trail leads visitors through The Rocks Christmas tree plantation, with 15 numbered stops noting information about the property's past and present. The trail leads past wetland habitat, rows of Christmas trees, and artfully crafted stone walls, with panoramic views of the White Mountains along the way. 

Michael A. Gozzo Trail- CLOSED

Difficulty: 
Moderate
Round-trip Distance: 
4.60 miles

This varied trail is named for the late Michael A. Gozzo, who loved hiking and the White Mountains. The trail meanders through The Rocks, crossing managed woodland and overgrown apple orchards, and skirting beaver ponds and wetland habitat. Hikers may explore this trail as one long loop or by selecting one or more of the various spurs- see this map for a better look at this trail.

  • Gozzo Rocks Loop - 1.8 mi, moderate - begin and end at The Rocks, includes the Beaver Pond Loop.
  • Gozzo Trail to South Road - 0.67 mi, difficult - this spur of the trail leads steeply from the beaver pond to South Road. 
  • Gozzo South Road Loop - 1.5 mi, moderate - this loop begins and ends at the South Road parking area. 

Property Details

Recommended Properties Nearby

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Water falls through granite rocks.

Lost River Reservation

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A mountain peak surrounded by green forest.

Kingsbury Timber - Chippewa Trail Lot

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The Kingsbury Timber - Chippewa Trail Lot abuts both the White Mountain National Forest and Black Mountain State Forest. It has extensive frontage on the North Branch Oliverian Brook and contains several other smaller seasonal streams. The property’s forest is largely a comprised of red and white pine with lesser areas of spruce, fir, white birch and sugar maple.

Bethlehem

1 267 acres

Directions

* Winter Access: The parking lot at The Rocks is plowed regularly during winter months.*

Geolocation
Directions via Google

Recreational Opportunities

  • Birdwatching
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Dog-walking
  • Family-oriented
  • Great Views
  • Hiking Trails
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Snowshoeing

Amenities

  • Kiosk
  • Portable restroom in summer months
  • Parking area

Restrictions

  • No Snowmobiles
  • No Motorized wheeled vehicles (ATVs, trucks, dirt bikes)
  • No Camping
  • No Fires
  • Carry in, Carry out all trash
  • Do not disturb plants, animals, or cultural features
  • No alcohol, smoking, or drugs permitted.

Regions