Mount Monadnock is known for its summit: the bare schist boulders and breathtaking 360 views that reach to Boston. To get to the summit, however, can be a daunting task. A minimum four-mile trek with boulders, smoothed rock, and steep scrambles might be too challenging of a hike for some visitors – especially on rainy […]
Author: Discover Power of Parks SCA Interpreters
Discover the Power of Parks is presented by New Hampshire State Parks in collaboration with the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps and made possible by generous financial support from Eversource. The program offers a look into the natural world through hands-on programming.
Interpretive programs focus on connecting participants with nature and building appreciation for New Hampshire's unmatched natural heritage. Programs include guided hikes, interpretive tours, and imaginative environmental workshops for children and families. Programs are offered free to guests with paid park admission fee. No pre-registration is required.
A Feast in our Forest
As the Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park, I have the pleasure of living in the woods all season. My cozy campsite offers many appealing features; nighttime calls from my Barred Owl neighbor, a view of a misty wetland, sights and sounds from Pileated Woodpeckers, and the simple pleasures of cooking over a propane burner. […]
Curiosity and Imagination leads to discoveries
When I first drove through Franconia Notch State Park, my first thought was how stunningly beautiful this place was. My second thought was how cool it would be to ride a dragon through the Notch! You see, when I’m hiking alone in the park, I let my imagination and curiosity run wild. Many of the […]
Wondrous White Lake Walk
They take a deep breath in. It’s controlled and elated, with each inhale they bring themselves further away from the distant memory of stress, and soothed into a nubile state of complacency. As the air leaves their lungs, consumed of its oxygen it becomes a carbon slurry. The breath lofts up, bounding straight for the […]
The Spirit of The Notch
As I drove into Franconia Notch State Park, bright eyed and bushy tailed, I was experiencing everything for the first time. Yet, in a way, every visitor, whether a veteran or a first time explorer, is gazing at new scenery every minute, hour, or day. For, The Notch is forever changing. As a Floridian, I […]
Woods Whisperer
The journeys and adventures I’ve had in the park pale in comparison to the journeys and adventures I’ve had with my new friends here. I’ve found that the combination of those two have made my experience here truly spectacular! As the Bear Brook Interpretive Ranger I have an exciting opportunity to experience the different moods, […]
Discovering the Great North Woods
Exploring New Places Before moving up to the Great North Woods, I had no idea what to expect. You can read about a new place before visiting, view picture-perfect photos, and hear stories from others, but you can never really know what is special about a place until you arrive and discover it for yourself. […]
Campsites 101
Ready to find the perfect match for your family trip or weekend getaway? New Hampshire is home to 75 state park properties – many with campsites abounding. While most have the standard fire ring and picnic table, not all are created equal. At Greenfield State Park, the campsites offer much more than the standard package. […]
“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.”
When you commit yourself to ten months of service, something with a definitive end, it is easy to get wrapped up in the world of countdowns. I can tell you that there’s only one weekend left of interpretive programming left at Bear Brook, Pawtuckaway, Umbagog, and Franconia Notch State Parks, but that’s not what we’re […]
Trailing Autumn: A Monadnock Tradition
The White Dot trail may be quickest and the most hiked route at Monadnock State Park; however my favorite hike, by far, is a combination of multiple trails which wind up the side of the mountain to the summit. Like most visitors my journey begins on the White Dot trail. First stop is at Falcon […]