Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Newington)
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1992 and is located along the eastern shore of New Hampshire's Great Bay in the town of Newington. A variety of rich wildlife habitats from uplands to open waters can be found throughout the refuge. With its open coastal water and abundant prey, the refuge plays a significant role as migration and wintering habitat for the federally protected bald eagle. The bay area also provides prime migration habitat for the peregrine falcon.
John Hay National Wildlife Refuge (Newbury)
The refuge consists of the former estate of John Hay, private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, Ambassador to Great Britain, and Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt. The refuge was established in 1987 and the historic buildings and immediate grounds and gardens, also known as "The Fells", are managed through an agreement with the Friends of John Hay National Wildlife Refuge (Friends).
Blackwater Dam (Franklin)
One of the oldest dams in New England, this small facility near Webster provides some of the best kayak waters in the country during spring releases. It is the site of sanctioned events each year and has hosted Olympic pre-trials. Hydropower production was never incorporated after local citizens objected to creation of a permanent pool of water. The streamside environment includes a meandering 8 mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent canoe stream stocked with trout.
Edward MacDowell Lake (Peterborough)
Located near Peterborough, this facility is named after the famous composer and concert pianist, Edward Alexander MacDowell. The 165-acre shallow lake and adjacent lands are managed by the State and the Corps of Engineers for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. A picturesque recreation area located next to the dam provides a picnic area with two group shelters, a swim beach, and hiking trails. (The group shelters may be reserved through the NRRS.
Hopkinton-Everett Lake (Contoocook)
The 10, 000 acre flood control project contains two developed recreational areas, Clough State Park operated by the State and Elm Brook Park operated by the Corps of Engineers. Elm Brook Park (open from the 3rd Saturday in May through the 2nd Sunday in September) offers swimming, picnicking, and boating, with a 220-acre shallow lake. Group shelters may be reserved through the NRRS web site or by calling 1-877-6777.
Otter Brook Lake (Keene)
Otter Brook Lake offers many recreational opportunities including: swimming, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and in the winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Facilities include; flush-toilet restrooms (in the summer), sandy beach, picnic tables, grills, two group shelters (which may be reserved), horseshoe pits, and an open grassy playfield.
Surry Mountain Lake (KEENE)
Surry Mountain Lake is a 265 acre lake on the Ashuelot River with a 600-foot sandy beach and over 1600 acres of land. Recreational opportunities include: swimming, picnicking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Park facilities include flush-toilet restrooms (in the summer), two group shelters (which may be reserved), picnic tables, grills, horseshoe pits, and a boat ramp.
Wapack National Wildlife Refuge (Peterborough)
Wapack National Wildlife Refuge was New Hampshire's first refuge and was established through a donation in 1972. The 1, 672-acre refuge is located about 20 miles west of Nashua, New Hampshire and encompasses the 2, 278 ft. North Pack Monadnock Mountain. The refuge is a popular hawk migration area and provides nesting habitat for numerous migratory songbirds such as the tree sparrow, Swainson's thrush, magnolia warbler, corssbills, pine grosbeaks and white-throated sparrow.
Kancamagus Scenic Byway (North Woodstock)
This 45-km `living museum` of trees and plants highlights the natural elements and their relationship with development, telling an ongoing story of forest reqrowth and ecology.
White Mountains Trail (North Woodstock)
The White Mountains Trail guides the traveler through the North Country area on New Hampshire which possesses all of the intrinsic qualities.
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (Cornish)
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site consists of 150 acres including the home, gardens and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), one of America's foremost sculptors. This was his summer residence from 1885-1897, and his permanent home from 1900 until his death in 1907. There are two hiking trails that explore the park's natural areas.
Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Durham)
Great Bay is located in the southeastern corner of New Hampshire and has a rich New England tradition of supporting many diverse uses, all dependent on the estuarine environment and resources.The Great Bay Reserve includes land and water areas the represent the range of different environments around the estuary, such as salt marsh, bluffs, rocky shores, woodlands, open fields and tidal water.
Franklin Falls Dam (Franklin)
The 15-mile stretch of the Pemigewasset River which flows through the reservoir lands is popular for fishing. Reservoir area is managed by the State for fish and wildlife. Scenic Profile Falls attracts tourists; canoeing, hunting and snowmobiling are also popular.
White Mountain National Forest (Laconia)
Located north of New Hampshire's central plateau, lies the White Mountains National Forest, cloaked with forests and laced with streams. Among the ranges and ridges are the highest mountains in the Northeast, the Presidential Range, which culminate in the bare granite summit of 6, 288-foot Mount Washington, Mounts Adams, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison also exceed 5, 000 feet in elevation.
Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (Errol)
Located in Coos County New Hampshire and Oxford County Maine, Lake Umbagog refuge is a northern treasure in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The diversity of exceptional habitats provides excellent breeding and foraging areas for migratory birds, endangered species, resident wildlife, and rare plants. The refuge protects over 16, 300 acres of wetland and forested upland habitat along Umbagog Lake.