NEW HAMPSHIRE - Accessible Nature

New Hampshire has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search. I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous

Federal

Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge
“This refuge is comprised of over 36,000 acres within parts of the four watershed states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut….
The refuge includes nine divisions and nine units that represent a wide variety of unique habitats such as: northern forest valuable as nesting habitat for migrant thrushes, warblers and other birds; rivers and streams used by shad, salmon, herring and other migratory fishes; and an internationally significant complex of high-quality tidal fresh, brackish and salt marshes. Many opportunities exist for visitors to explore the diverse landscapes of the Connecticut River watershed.”
Brochure Here is the Refuge website. Thank you to S. M. Burk for sending a correction for the link.

A one-mile long, universally accessible birding and natural trail is located at the Fort River division.
Vermont
Mollie Beattie Bog boardwalk. is a 200 foot self-guided interpretive trail.

New Hampshire
Mud Pond Trail 0.6 mile
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge spans northern New Hampshire and Maine, At the southern range of the boreal forests and the northern range of the deciduous forests, the Umbagog area is a transition zone providing homes to species of both habitats. A total of 229 bird species have been observed on the refuge, and 137 species are known to breed there. The many fish in the lakes and rivers provide food for osprey and bald eagles. “Mink, otter, muskrat, and beaver can be seen in the lakes and rivers while black bear, bobcats, fishers, marten, white-tailed deer and a dense population of moose inhabit the uplands. The extensive wetlands and marshes provide ideal habitat for waterfowl, such as common mergansers, American black ducks and common goldeneye and common loons.”
Here is their website. Phone 603-482-3415 Map
Magalloway River Trail Trail Map 1/3 mile “….a good place to view moose, boreal birds and waterfowl. It features an easy walk through a forested river’s edge to an observation platform overlooking the backwaters of the Magalloway River.” trailfinder
White Mountain National Forest
“The White Mountain National Forest in eastern New Hampshire and western Maine ranges from mountainous hardwood forests to majestic alpine peaks.”
There are nine trails described in this brochure on accessible trails and here is a brochure on accessible water bodies.
Here is the Forest website. Phone 603-536-6100. Visitor center phone 603-536-3665
Pemigewasset Ranger District 603-536-6100
Forest Discovery Trail Guide Book 1.53 miles long in two loops. “There are breathtaking views, and opportunities to see some wildlife. ”
Lincoln Woods Trail ” The trail crosses a suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, then follows an abandoned railroad grade for 2.8 miles along the west side of the river.”
Livermore Road a former logging road which is mostly level and shaded by trees.
Lower Ammonoosuc River Trail 0.2 mile trail to a view of the lower falls.

Saco Ranger District phone 603-447-5448
Rail N’ River Trail 0.5 mile “…fairly flat, shady loop trail takes you out to the Swift River…” This description came from a now expired website by Eric Rathbun.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area There are two possible trails here. From the parking area to Falls Ponds is 1,300′, but a short stretch sounds a little steep. An alternate trail follows the river for about 1,000′.
Diana’s Baths “The Baths are located 0.8 miles from the trailhead at the parking area.”
Sabbaday Falls “…..0.4 mile trail leads to a picturesque series of cascades in a narrow flume. The gravel trail is wheelchair accessible, but is steep in places (6 to 25% grades) with frequent level spots.”

State

New Hampshire State Parks Interactive Parks/Trails Map with links to Parks. Once on an individual Park’s website, you are directed to call to learn about accessibility. Here is a list of the State Parks with links to trail information and maps, but disabilities are not addressed. NewHampshire.com lists the Parks by region with links to more information.
Rhododendron State Park
The park’s focus is the 16-acre grove of Rhododendron Maximum, the largest rhododendron grove in northern New England. “From early spring to the first frost, wildflowers bloom throughout the 2,723-acre park. The last blooms in the fall are complemented by the forest’s brilliant foliage.”
Here is the Park website. Map Brochure
“A 0.6 mile-long universally accessible trail encircles the grove allowing visitors to observe, close up, the fragrant clusters of pink blossoms as they burst into bloom in mid-July.”

Local

Private

Beaver Brook
“Beaver Brook Association is comprised of 2,187 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands in Hollis, Brookline, and Milford, New Hampshire. The land lies where the southern transitional forest meets the northern hardwood forest, creating a diverse landscape of interest to the naturalist and the hiker alike.”
Here is Beaver Brook’s website. Phone 603-465-7787 Maps and Guides
Thank you Celeste Philbrick Barr for the trail information.
Note that these trails are not paved, so there may be small roots, crushed gravel, etc.
“The Gardens at Maple Hill Farm(117 Ridge Road also) are very accessible from the parking lot. Many of the theme gardens are on the same level as the parking. A few are on a slight slope or require approaching from the front of the building.”

“Beaver Brook Trail starting on Route 130 is very flat for the first 1/2 mile and has a wide flat parking area.”

“The Potanipo Rail Trail (parking lot on West Hollis Road in Hollis) is a perfectly flat and wide rail trail that leads to the Great Meadow; a beautiful wetland with a large beaver dam.”
Crotched Mountain
“With over 1,200 acres of permanently protected forest, open fields of wild blueberry and heather, and mysterious wetlands, Crotched Mountain [near Greenfield] is a place of unusual beauty. …… Crotched Mountain’s accessible trails provide a place where everyone – people with disabilities, seniors and families with children – are welcomed and able to experience nature up close. ”
Here is their website. Call 603-547-3311 for information. Trail Guide and map.
There are 2 miles of accessible trails Trails at Crotched Mountain
Derry, Londonderry and Windham Rail Trails
Thanks to Maxli Catenby for alerting me to these accessible rail trails. Map of all three trails.
Derry Rail Trail is 3.6 miles paved. From traillink.com :”This exquisitely maintained trail slices through forested areas and wetlands for a wonderful experience in southern New Hampshire.” Website

Windham Rail Trail 4.8 miles paved. “together with the Derry and Salem Rail Trails, there are currently 11 miles of a continuous paved passive use rail trail, the longest paved abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire.”

Londonderry Rail Trail 4.5 miles paved Traillink description
Little Nature Museum & Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum
The Medicine Woods near Warner, provides an opportunity to learn about the natural environment and some of the ways Natives historically used plants for food, medicine, dye, shelter and tools.
Here are the websites for the Little Nature Museum and the Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum.
Phone for the Nature Museum is 603-746-6121 and for the Indian Museum is 603-456-2600.The director of the Indian Museum, which owns both properties, says that “Our trails are easy to walk & were created to be wheelchair accessible. Our museum is accessible as well.”
Markus Wildlife Sanctuary and the Loon Center
The Markus Sanctuary, near Moultonborough, is comprised of 200 acres of upland forests, marshes, ponds, clear-running streams and over 5,000 feet of pristine shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the largest remaining areas of natural shoreline on the lake. These diverse habitats make this sanctuary home to a wide host of plant and animal species.
The Loon Center’s headquarters and visitor center is on the Sanctuary.
Here is the website for the Loon Center Phone 603-476-5666.
Here is the Sanctuary website. Trail Map
Thank you Kellee Duckworth for the trail information.
” The shorter of our two trails, our Forest Trail, would be accessible for elderly walkers. It is a 0.25 mile forest walk on level ground…….. Unfortunately, neither of our trails are wheelchair accessible.”
Montshire Museum of Science
“The Montshire Museum of Science is a hands-on science museum in Norwich, Vermont. Located on a 100-acre site along the Connecticut River, the Museum offers over 150 exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. The outdoor space includes miles of trails and David Goudy Science Park, which features water exhibits.
Here is their website. Phone 802-649-2200 Trails
Meadow Walk 0.3 mile “a demonstration plot for native grasses, an enriched riverside environment for birds and other animals, and the solar-powered Meadow Sounds Kiosk.”
River Loop Trail 0.8 mile “…winds along the Connecticut River.”
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)
Traillink description
Thank you to Maxli Catenby for writing that “…the Raymond to Newfields section of the Rockingham Recreational trail is unpaved but flat and well maintained for easy walking, about 14 miles.”

Miscellaneous

Hike New England This marvelous, searchable website lists hikes in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with information about difficulty, length, elevation gain, and features. There are maps and photos for many of the hikes. Using their Hike Finder, I did a search for Easy trails, 5 miles or less and came up with 51 trails! Be aware that Easy for them, might not be easy enough for you. Once you come up with a page for a sanctuary, park, forest, whatever, it would be wise to call for trail conditions.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists wheelchair accessible trails in New Hampshire.
Trail Finder This wonderful site lets you plug in your parameters to come up with names and information on trails in Vermont and the Upper Valley of New Hampshire. I put in “easy” and “wheelchair accessible” and brought up 25 trails in Vermont! “Easy” and “nature and interpretive” brought up 24 trails, two in New Hampshire.
Upper Valley Trails Alliance This helpful searchable website lists trails by town. There are descriptions and links to maps.