New Hampshire has 19 Recreational Rail Trails which offer miles of scenic recreation for a variety of trail users year-round. While each of these trails consist of long, straight, gravel pathways, each has a unique setting and vary in length and scenery. These trails are spectacular recreational resources for residents and visitors alike and yet […]
The NH State Park Experience
The Times They Are a-Changin’
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger at White Lake State Park I was ready for fall – in theory at least. Pumpkin spice everything, beautiful assortments of ripe pumpkins, those unbelievable colors, and of course, all of the fun celebrations that await us every year. As much as I anticipated all of these things, I wasn’t […]
Pawtuckaway’s Hidden History
By: Rand Michaels, Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park In early July, while living and working at Pawtuckaway State Park, I received a letter addressed to “Chief Ranger” – making my job sound a bit more grandiose than I feel like it is. This handwritten letter was from Carl Johnson, who now lives in Barnegat […]
Coleman Estates: Family Glamping in the Great North Woods
Traditional campers may thumb their nose at sleeping in anything other than a tent but being able to explore the Great North Woods while keeping all the comforts of home is pretty awesome, especially when traveling with the whole family! At the Coleman Estates, accommodations go a step beyond glamping. The ‘cabins’ here are more […]
Encounters of the Wild Kind
By: Claire Adams, Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield & Monadnock State Parks During my adventures as the Interpretive Ranger at Greenfield State Park, I have spent a lot of time outdoors. And due to that constant exposure to the same patch of nature, I have had the privilege of catching glimpses of the variety of wildlife […]
Come for the Mountains, Stay for the Silence
By: Kate Seader, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park Silence was never something I was particularly fond of. The room goes silent when someone has spoken out of turn. Two friends fighting have a tense silence between them. For me, silence gave my overactive brain a canvas on which to paint everything that could […]
Bear Hill Pond Camp Reopens: A Living Historical Camp!
By: Renee Rosenbaum, SCA New Hampshire Corps, Americorps; Conservation Steward There is nothing quite like the experience of camping. The benefits of living in the outdoors – even if just for a couple days – does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. In some cases, it also provides a historical reference to past times […]
Sustainable Camping
By: Brianne Bishop, Interpretive Ranger at Umbagog Lake State Park Sustainability. What is it and why should you care? As someone who holds a degree in Environmental Studies, I am no stranger to this term. However, I have found that many people are. Or, many people are exposed, but have no idea what it means. […]
Discover the Power of Interpretation
By: Rachel Shoemaker, Interpretive Ranger for Northern Region Parks “What IS that!?” My friend stopped so abruptly that I nearly bumped into her. “What is what?” I asked, looking around frantically, trying to see what she was seeing. I looked down at the trail where she was pointing and gazed upon a creature that would […]
Blueberry Moon
By: Rand Michaels, Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park Each Saturday afternoon since early June I have led a group of Pawtuckaway State Park’s campers and beach-goers on a walk where we have talked about some of the wild edible and medicinal plants that grow just alongside the path to the beach and around a […]