Capturing the sunset from the summit of Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire is a breathtaking reward for the effort it takes to reach the top, and then get back down the mountain in the fading light. That’s just one of the reasons Mount Monadnock is among the most popular sites to hike in America and beyond, and has evoked mentions from authors such as Emerson and Thoreau. Yet there’s more to Monadnock State Park. In addition to this challenging climb, some family-friendly trails and the peaceful setting of Gilson Pond expend the park visitor’s demographics. And you can see the sunset from many vantage points below the top of the mountain.

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The side effect of Monadnock State Park’s popularity is a visit requires some advance planning. That should not be a deterrent, though. You’ll just want to choose your starting point for a hike, whether to Mount Monadnock or elsewhere, and make a parking reservation. The $15 parking fee includes admission to the park and is required, because walk-ins are not allowed. Note also that pets are not permitted in the park. For more information about visiting, see the Monadnock State Park website.

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