New Hampshire’s Stonehouse Forest Is A Unique Place To Visit

The southeastern part of the state often gets overlooked due to its lack of tall mountains. But don't let the lack of open, sweeping summits deter exploration here; there is still much to see. In the small town of Barrington, Stonehouse Forest offers the chance to experience diverse natural features within one of the newest conserved areas in this corner of New Hampshire.

Stonehouse Forest is currently more than 1,700 acres in size and is one of the largest conserved areas in southeastern New Hampshire. It is open year-round for passive recreation such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking (on designated trails).

The centerpiece of the forest is Stonehouse Pond and the tall cliff that rises above it. A climb to the top of the cliff reveals excellent views to the northeast.

While Stonehouse Forest is owned and managed by Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, tiny Stonehouse Pond is under the supervision of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for fly fishing.

Bog Trail is a short loop off Marison Trail that leads to pleasant views of Round Pond and Little Round Pond.

A longer hike option uses Locke Trail (in combination with other routes) to circumnavigate the forest. While the walk is easy, the overall distance covers almost five miles.

Marsh Road is an unmaintained town road that allows for various loop hikes within the forest, and also connects trails on the north and south ends of the property.

Visit the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire website for more information on Stonehouse Forest. A PDF guide with trail descriptions and a map is also available.

Stonehouse Forest is a great place for families to get outside and explore. If you're looking for more family-friendly hikes, here are 5 of them around the state as well as a hiking goal that visits New Hampshire's active fire towers.