this is a rly nice place to go on a walk! the scenery is great with the flowing water and there's a…read morecouple benches. would recommend!

Awesome little hidden gem of a wildlife refuge!! There are two hiking trails here - I did the…read morelonger of the two - the William Furber Ferry Way Trail. It has a very unique starting point - next to an abandoned weapons storage facility for an old military base!! But once you get past this, you find yourself wandering through lovely, peaceful New Hampshire woodland with a huge meadow along the way to the Great Bay viewing area! The trail is very well maintained but can definitely get muddy. We had storms the night before my hike and there were some very muddy spots that got a tad slippery - even with my excellent hiking shoes - but there were enough fallen leaves on the ground to provide plenty of pathways to avoid the super muddy and wet areas. And while this trail is wide and well maintained, it's not paved and I wouldn't consider it handicap accessible- although it might be doable if you have some pretty serious trail tires on a wheelchair! Because the trail is mostly flat and not rocky at all. One thing I really enjoyed on this trail were all the adorable American Red Squirrels, the Black Capped Chickadees, and all the fall colors - even in November! The forest was also just full of these absolutely beautiful, ghostly white and pink trees too that were very dramatic! I have no idea what they are, but they are just gorgeous!! I actually came here in search of Wild Turkeys but had no luck this day. It's a very peaceful trail - it was a weekday and I pretty much had it to myself - I only saw two other hikers pass by. The trail maps say it's 2 miles but I ended up with 2.5 miles on my AllTrails tracker for this trail. There's very minimal elevation gain. The halfway point on this loop takes you to a viewing platform of Great Bay with those binoculars on a stand that let you see across the water! There's benches there to rest, as well as benches spaced out along the trail too - just lovely! Another thing that makes this trail fun is that is has "numbered stops" along the way - and the FWS has an info pdf you can view on their website that gives you history and cool info about each stop. The guide to these numbered stops can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Furber_Trail_Guide_FINAL_Aug2014(1).pdf The smaller trail is called the Peverly Pond Trail and is about 1/2 mile long with the trailhead right off the parking lot- but I didn't do this one so can't speak to it. There's plenty of parking in a paved lot and there are decent bathrooms at the parking lot as well - very clean and well stocked! No pets are allowed on these trails - but they do provide an extensive list of pet friendly trails nearby at the information kiosk in the parking lot.

I enjoyed my walk around the lake. There are 2 hiking trails. One is very short but well maintained…read moreand picturesque. The other one is about 2 miles. We saw wild turkey and muskrat. It was mostly in the shade.

The Rye Harbor State Park offers some great views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Isles of Shoals, and…read morethe Rye Harbor. This is a great place to do some saltwater fishing, have a picnic, or just to enjoy the scenic views. Others may utilize this spot for private events and for weddings. There is a fee to access the park, and when it is unstaffed for a portion of the year, there is a self-paying kiosk. Plenty of parking off the main road as well!

This little park has a beautiful view of the ocean. Please be aware that between the hours of 7am…read moreand 9pm, no dogs are allowed after April until late fall.

What a nice spot for a walk! My friend and I were in the area to check out some sugar shacks and we…read moredecided to stop by this pond. I'd say it's really more of a park, since there are plenty of walking paths, including a nice covered bridge. I don't think I'd come out of my way to return, but it was certainly a nice place to stop by and check out while nearby.

Good area for dog walking. Trails are maintained well. They…read morearen't well marked though so it's easy to get lost - meaning no colored trail blazes. They have many maps of the trail along the paths, but it's hard to know where you truly are because they don't say "you are here" except for at the entrance. I can't speak on the swimming, but it looks fun for kids. There is a playground and a few picnic benches throughout. Plenty of parking and short walk to the water / trails. I'm sure there are better spots to swim, but this place looks like it gets the job done. Dog friendly everywhere except on the beach itself. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Doggie clean up bags are not provided, so be sure to bring your own.

Four Tree Island is a little piece of land connected to Peirce Island by a walkway built in the…read more70's. There are picnic tables, public restrooms, and views of the river, the Memorial Bridge, Prescott Park, Badgers Island, and the Naval Shipyard. Unlike most of Peirce Island, dogs are not allowed on Four Tree Island. It is a short walk from downtown Portsmouth. This is a really good place for a picnic when the weather is nice, but on summer weekends you'll need to get to a table early. There isn't much to do here but that's the point. Grab a sandwich and a drink (for example, at Moe's) and walk over to the island. If the weather is nice, take it in. This is what Portsmouth is about.

We came here for sunset on a Sunday and it was pretty nice. It's a short drive from downtown…read morePortsmouth and there is easy and free parking at the lot. The park has a public bathroom, barbecue stations, picnic tables, and decent views of the sunset. However, the view is partially obstructed so you can't see the sun go down all the way. It's also by the water so you can see some wildlife and boats. The My Mother the Wind sculpture is at the end of park walkway. It's nice, but in need of some cleaning from bird poop. Unfortunately, there are a ton of wild geese around so there was a lot of poop on the ground to avoid. Of note, the park itself prohibits dogs, but they're allowed on the trails that are on the side of the park.

Want to get away from the sweating masses over-crowding the beach? Not up for sitting on your buns,…read morebaking in the summer sun? Want some peace & quiet instead of screaming tots and squeaky playground swings? I did. Not that there's anything wrong with the typical midsummer Maine beach experience. It just was NOT my vibe for this getaway. And so we sought out land trusts and mountains and parks, including one of our favorite spots to hit some pretty trails: Vaughan Woods. First, even in the middle of the summer and several cars in the lots, we barely saw another person. On the river trail--which I particularly love for all the scenic views of the river and benches to sit and rest--we had two couples cross our path. Very quick, smiley "hellos" and off they went. So peaceful! I'm mobility-challenged but I had a recent treatment and felt a little more mobile and stable. I took my time and my husband was a great helper. I'd say the river trail can get a bit challenging for anyone with a knee/ankle/foot/balance issue. But if conditions aren't wet, you go slow, and rest at the benches, you might be able to do it! The toilet stall is a wooden structure that is open to the air at the top of the walls before the roof begins. It's a toilet set over a pit, and you could definitely get a wheelchair in, but I don't recall seeing any grab bars. There was plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Like other places (parks, beach), we noticed it was "carry in, carry out." There are several picnic tables surrounding the parking lot, and we enjoyed a post-hike snack. This place is worth the drive out to South Berwick. Give it a go!

We revisited Vaughan Woods at a different time of the year, and it's still such a cool spot (though…read morefar busier than it was when we came in autumn a few years ago). It's a state park that's open year long -- during the shoulder season, you can park outside the closed gates and walk in. This time we came when the gates were open; but, there was no attendant to check our state parks pass. It looks like payment is on the honor system (please pay so we can preserve beautiful trails like this!). I'll reiterate what I said in my previous review: It's located along Salmon Falls River (which separates Maine and New Hampshire). And with 3+ miles of hiking trails, it's easy to choose-your-own-adventure. So, whether you're looking to walk a lot or little, spend the day here or just a quick half hour, or if you're a local looking for a new running trail, be sure to explore the "old growth forest" (I saw this used elsewhere and looked into it: did you know this is a term that essentially means it's an ancient woodland, or a natural place that has aged without disruption?)! And it's accessible too: the extremely well groomed, well marked, mostly widened walking paths are easy to navigate (there are some hilly areas; and if it's not winter you're DEFINITELY going to want to bring bug spray). Also, from here you can access the grounds of the restored Hamilton House (built by merchant Jonathan Hamilton in the late eighteenth century) which sits on a stunning grassy knoll among cleared open green space overlooking the river (we actually saw a beaver this most recent time!) on one side and a beautifully maintained garden on the other side.

Driving through Berwick and needed to stretch my legs quick from long days drive. This is a cute…read morelittle spot just off of the main road with bench seating and small parking area to do just that while listening to the waters roll over the dam. No restrooms here but there is a gas station just up the street to grab a snack and take care of business if needed. Quick drop in launch location perfect for kayak or paddle board with slow moving waters after the dam. Pack in and pack out as there is no trash can here either. Perfect stop for a quick break before continuing the journey!

Lake Winnipesaukee is one of those places where a review almost feels inadequate. We come up here…read moreevery year, and for me, this isn't simply a place I visit. My parents used to bring us here when I was growing up, so there is a lot of personal history tied to this lake. Coming back as an adult has that wonderful feeling of seeing a place you remember as a kid and realizing that the lake, the mountains, and the scenery are still just as beautiful. Winnipesaukee is enormous, with more than 250 islands, miles of shoreline, countless coves, and mountains surrounding the water. The scenery changes constantly depending on where you are. One moment you're looking across a wide expanse of blue water toward the mountains, and the next you're tucked into a quiet cove surrounded by trees and summer homes. It is quintessential New Hampshire. Summer is when the lake really comes alive. Boats are everywhere, from kayaks and paddleboards to fishing boats, sailboats, and speedboats. There are marinas, beaches, waterfront restaurants, docks, and plenty of places to get out on the water. The M/S Mount Washington cruising around the lake is one of those sights that never gets old. You can spend an entire day boating, swimming, exploring the islands, or simply sitting beside the water watching everyone else enjoy it. The surrounding towns each add something different. Meredith has a beautiful waterfront and charming downtown, Wolfeboro has that classic New England summer-resort character, Alton Bay has its nostalgic lakeside atmosphere, and Laconia offers more shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Exploring the communities around the lake is part of the fun. And then there are the mountains. Mount Major provides spectacular views over the lake, while the Belknap Range creates a beautiful backdrop from the shoreline and water. There are hiking trails, scenic roads, beaches, parks, and countless overlooks where you can stop and appreciate just how big and beautiful this place really is. Fall might be my favorite season here. The forests surrounding the lake turn into a sea of red, orange, and yellow, and the cooler weather makes hiking and exploring especially enjoyable. The lake takes on a quieter personality after the summer crowds leave. Winter completely transforms the area, with ice fishing, snowmobiling, and other activities taking over when conditions permit. Even Alton Bay has its famous ice runway, where airplanes can land on the frozen lake when the ice is thick enough. What I appreciate most is that Winnipesaukee never feels like just a tourist attraction. It feels like a real place with generations of history and families who return year after year. There are busy summer afternoons and quiet mornings when the water is almost completely still. There are enormous lake houses, old cottages, working marinas, little beaches, restaurants, and peaceful coves where you can feel completely removed from everything. For me, though, the best part is the memories. As a kid, I didn't really understand why my parents kept bringing us back here. It was simply somewhere we went on vacation. Now I understand. They weren't just taking us to a lake. They were creating memories that would stay with me. That's probably why coming back every year means so much. The towns have changed, the restaurants have changed, and I've certainly changed, but the lake is still here. The mountains are still on the horizon, the boats are still moving across the water, and there is still that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere special. Lake Winnipesaukee is beautiful in every season, endlessly enjoyable, and filled with the kind of scenery and memories that make you want to return. We come back every year, and I can't imagine that changing anytime soon.

Oh my, there is a beautiful view around every corner. I was only here one night but had so much…read morefun. I stayed at a campground in Alton Bay. It is nice to have the best aunt in the world there. We sat on the porch looking out at the lake and told stories. We laughed and laughed. In the evening, we went to pop's for fish and chips. I ate the whole thing! It was so good. Then we went for a walk around the campground. The houses are really cute. We went to Wolfeboro in the morning. We had coffee and donuts at a cute bakery. They sat out on the dock watching the boats go by. I tucked in a few stores but I wasn't looking for anything. I hope to come back in August and explore some more. There is so much to do up here. The popular activities are boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing.