Recreation

The Forest Society's mission includes conserving lands that provide recreational opportunities--and economic benefits through tourism--for New Hampshire residents and visitors. Visit this page to explore stories related to recreation on conserved lands.

Two young boys walk through the pine forest.

More Than Leaves Changing Outside This Fall

Anna Berry
September 27, 2020

 

My two five-year-olds, newly initiated into kindergarten, reminded me authoritatively this week that it’s officially fall. How could I forget? Autumn has always been my favorite season in New Hampshire — my husband even proposed on a pumpkin.

Recreation
A sign for Mt. Major is surrounded by rocks and dirt during construction.

DETOUR AHEAD: Mt. Major Lot Closed (Roadside Parking ONLY); TRAILS OPEN

Anna Berry
September 23, 2020

A trail restoration project at the base of Mount Major is progressing and is due to be wrapped up by the first week in October.

Recreation
A branch of red maple with pinkish-red leaves

Earliest flush of Red Maple foliage

Dave Anderson, Chris Martin, Emily Quirk
August 28, 2020

Naturalist Dave Anderson shares the story behind "Judas Trees," as a very few early green leaves have already started to change to red.

White Mountains
Recreation
Creek Farm Reservation as seen from Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth, NH

Carey Cottage restoration progresses through pandemic

August 18, 2020

Seacoast Online recently covered the ongoing construction at Carey Cottage, located at the Forest Society's Creek Farm Reservation. 

Creek Farm
Recreation

2022 Five Hikes Challenge - Hike List

Use this page to help you figure out which hikes you'd like to tackle in the 2022 Five Hikes Challenge! All hike mileages below are ROUND TRIP.  Click on property names to see the Reservations Guide pages for these properties, with additional information and photos to help you deicide! After registering for the challenge, you'll be mailed print maps for your selected hikes. Happy hiking! To return to the registration page for the 2022 Five Hikes Challenge click HERE.  

Two people in lifejackets in a canoe on the Merrimack River as seen from behind.

Forest Journal: Traveling a River at Risk

Anna Berry
August 6, 2020

Five years ago, when I found out my parents were moving to New Hampshire from Alaska — where I was born and raised — I had big plans for the outdoor adventures we’d have together.

Recreation
Clean Water
A mask-clad hiker pauses at the trailhead at Mount Major.

DETOUR AHEAD: Mt. Major Lot Closed (Roadside Parking ONLY; TRAILS OPEN) as Visitor Experience Improved

Kelly Whalen
August 8, 2020

The parking lot at Mt. Major will be temporarily closed after Labor Day for about four weeks as the Forest Society improves the visitor experience by repairing drainage and erosion problems at the base of the Main (Blue) Trail.

Recreation

5 Hikes Challenge

A "Hike-it-Yourself" Autumn Adventure: August 31- October 31, 2022

Hit the trail with your family, friends, or on your own for a do-it-yourself hiking experience. Hike just one or a collection of five trails located on Forest Society reservations! 

Registered participants receive a colorful Forest Society buff, trail maps with directions, and hiking tips. Registration fees support the continued stewardship of these beautiful spaces.

A wood sign at the entrance to Monson Center.

Settlers may have abandoned Monson Center in 1770, but it's a pretty ghost town today

July 30, 2020

"[T]his picturesque historic site, presided over since 1998 by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, is a complicated collection of things lost and found in hardscrabble ground."

Recreation
Land Conservation