Merrimack County: Cross-Country Skiing, Nature and Culture

For a winter stay in Merrimack County, trails and nature experiences are the main attractions. The Northern Rail Trail offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling and dog sledding, among other activities. The Muster Field Farm Museum also provides marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through forests and fields in winter. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore plan your stay around your preferred activities and cultural destinations.

Key facts

• The Northern Rail Trail runs 57 miles from Boscawen to Lebanon, New Hampshire.
• In Merrimack County, the trail passes through Danbury, Wilmot, Andover, Franklin and Boscawen.
• The Muster Field Farm Museum is a historic farm with restored farm buildings and self-guided tours.
• Bear Brook State Park covers more than 10,000 acres and is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire.
• The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway is a 75-mile loop trail through four state parks.
• Clough State Park is located on 150-acre Everett Lake and offers boating.
• The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum displays artifacts and addresses Indigenous peoples in North America from prehistoric times to the present.

Winter trails for different travel plans

The Northern Rail Trail is a versatile option for visitors who do not want to limit their stay to a single winter sport. The documented activities range from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to snowmobiling and dog sledding. The trail is 57 miles long in total; within Merrimack County, it passes through Danbury, Wilmot, Andover, Franklin and Boscawen.

The Muster Field Farm Museum combines history with a seasonal nature experience. This historic farm has restored farm buildings and offers self-guided tours. In winter, marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are laid out through forests and fields. This makes it possible to combine a cultural visit with an outdoor activity without requiring both attractions to fit the same type of daily itinerary.

State parks, the Greenway and waterscapes

For longer nature experiences, the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway offers a 75-mile loop trail. It connects the four New Hampshire state parks of Sunapee, Winslow, Rollins and Wadleigh. Bear Brook State Park offers a different focus: It covers more than 10,000 acres and has 40 miles of trails through densely forested areas, bogs, swamps, summits and ponds. The varied landscapes help you structure your stay around your preferred surroundings and desired trail length.

Waterscapes are also part of the region’s offerings. Clough State Park is located on 150-acre Everett Lake and has a 900-foot-long sandy beach; boating is also available there. Mt. Sunapee State Park has a beach on a 4,085-acre lake. There is a boat launch with certain restrictions, as well as boat rentals. For specific planning, you should check the applicable conditions before your visit.

Culture, history and local highlights

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum displays artifacts and provides information about Indigenous peoples in North America from prehistoric times to the present. At the museum’s Medicine Woods, visitors can also learn about the natural environment and the historical uses of plants for food, medicine, dyes, shelter and tools. Canterbury Shaker Village is a National Historic Landmark and a museum.

Other independent destinations include Richardson’s Farm in Boscawen and the Hannah Duston Memorial. Richardson’s Farm makes all of its ice cream on site using cream and milk from cows in New Hampshire. The Hannah Duston Memorial was erected in 1874 and is the first publicly funded statue in New Hampshire. A picnic area sits on a 1,820-foot-high plateau and offers sweeping views of the White Mountains to the north, as well as higher peaks to the south and in central Vermont. A 1-mile-long footpath leads from a picnic area to the summit of Mt. Kearsarge.

Choose accommodation based on your priorities

When comparing accommodation in Merrimack County, first decide which combination is most important for your trip: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, longer trails through state parks, water-based activities, or culture and history. For families and groups with different interests, it may make sense to include several of these priorities in the daily itinerary. To continue searching for a suitable place, you can also visit Newbury.

FAQ

What winter activities are documented in Merrimack County?

The Northern Rail Trail offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling and dog sledding. In winter, the Muster Field Farm Museum maintains marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

How long is the Northern Rail Trail?

The Northern Rail Trail runs 57 miles from Boscawen to Lebanon, New Hampshire. In Merrimack County, it passes through Danbury, Wilmot, Andover, Franklin and Boscawen.

What does the Muster Field Farm Museum offer?

The museum is a historic farm with restored farm buildings and self-guided tours. In winter, marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are added.

What landscapes are found in Bear Brook State Park?

The park covers more than 10,000 acres and has 40 miles of trails through forests, bogs, swamps, summits and ponds.

Where are boating and boat rentals available?

Clough State Park offers boating. At Mt. Sunapee State Park, there is a boat launch with certain restrictions and boat rentals on a 4,085-acre lake.

Which cultural destinations complement a stay?

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Canterbury Shaker Village, Richardson’s Farm and the Hannah Duston Memorial offer a variety of historical, cultural and local points of interest.

For the overarching travel overview: New Hampshire.

More destinations

Other places within the same destination:

Carroll, Sullivan County, Grafton.