State of NH Conservation Lands

Ahern

Ahern State Park

Ahern State Park is a 128-acre property owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, bordering Lake Winnisquam. The park is open year-round and an excellent site for outdoor recreation – including swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing. There is also a trail system for walking, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling throughout the wooded areas of the property. 

Hamel

Hamel State Forest

The Hamel State Forest is located on the corner of Meredith Center Road and Pickerel Pond Road. It consists of 40 acres of managed forest land (occasionally harvested), plus a number of streams and wetlands. The property is owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources


Huston Morgan

Huston-Morgan State Forest

Huston-Morgan State Forest is 160 acres owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, located off Meredith Center Road. This State Forest has a snowmobile trail for recreational use. The natural resources preserved here include forested land, wetlands, and various brooks and streams.

Opechee

Opechee Bay State Forest

The Opechee Bay State Forest is a 48-acre property located along the northwest end of Opechee Bay and owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The property is approximately one third forested land and two thirds open fields. These fields are also considered prime farmland and the Belknap County Conservation District runs a community garden program on the site.

Paugus

Paugus Bay State Forest

The Paugus Bay State Forest is one of the largest conserved parcels in Laconia at 255 acres. The forest is owned and managed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The land stretches from Rout 106 all the way to the western shores of Paugus Bay. The property is vastly forested, with numerous areas of wetlands, streams and rivers, and some prime farmland. 

Prescott

Prescott State Forest

Prescott State Forest is another property owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The conserved land is 115 acres located just across the road from the Paugus Bay State Forest. Like other State Forests, Prescott is heavily wooded, contains large wetland complexes, excellent wildlife habitat, and some prime farmlands. 

Swain

Swain State Forest

The Swain State Forest, owned by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is just over 100 acres located east of Leighton Ave here in Laconia. It includes forested uplands that creates a buffer along some of Lake Winnisquam.