The weather in New Hampshire is unpredictable no matter the season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore the outdoors. From coastal hikes to waterfall trails there are so many landscape beauties to take in, we sometimes feel like there will never be enough time to experience it all. That’s why we have a bucket list of some of our favorite spots and this unique forest preserve is on it!

To see some of the oldest trees in not just America, but the world, make your way to Sheldrick Nature Preserve in Wilton. The preserve is home to one of the best examples of Old Growth Forests. This is the term used for wooded areas that have been allowed to grow unbothered for hundreds of years.
Morgain Bailey / Google
In most cases, these forests exist because they’re located in hard-to-reach locations which has kept visitors and loggers at bay.
Kimberly Zerbinopoulos / alltrails.com
The preserve offers more than 227 acres of forest to explore and the trees here date back over two centuries! There are just a few old growth forests left today in New Hampshire and Sheldrick Nature Preserve is considered one of the best examples.
nicholas_t / Flickr
By the mid-1800s the majority of forest here in New Hampshire was cleared for timber groves and pastures. That’s why being able to walk through Sheldrick Forest is so special. If you use your imagination you might even be able to envision what it might have been like back when Europeans settled here.
Paul Rybicki / Google

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One of the most notable features of the forest is the 50-foot white pines, along with giant hemlock trees and oaks.
Paul Rybicki / Google
When you visit pay special attention to the diameter of the trees. Some of the oldest are about 30 inches!
Paul Rybicki / Google
There are three miles of trails within the preserve making this a great place to enjoy the outdoors. The preserve trails also connect to those of the Heald Tract which is owned by a private family and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. In addition to these there are two more miles of trail leading to Pratt Pond within the Russell-Abbott State Forest.
The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire / Facebook
Plan on spending the better part of the day exploring the area here and taking in some of New Hampshire’s most interesting living history.
andyarthur / Flickr

Sheldrick Nature Preserve is accessible year-round but it’s believed to be best between March and October when the weather is a bit warmer. If you choose to visit in the cold, always be sure to wear the right footwear as conditions can be slippery. We love furry friends, but dogs aren’t allowed here. You can learn more about visiting by checking out the official brochure. To learn more about the Sheldrick Forest Trail check out this page on alltrails.com.

We love this forest almost as much as we love waterfalls! If you love them too check out the New Hampshire trail that leads to a staircase waterfall. It’s heaven on earth!

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26-198 Town Farm Rd, Wilton, NH 03086, USA