Jaffrey and Rindge: Towns at the Foot of Mount Monadnock

Jaffrey and Rindge share a border, a history and a view. Both towns sit in the shadow of Mount Monadnock, the lone peak that dominates the skyline of southwestern New Hampshire, and both have been drawing visitors since the 19th century. Today they offer a quieter alternative to the state's busier tourist centers: a mountain hike in the morning, a small-town Main Street in the afternoon, and a hilltop memorial with one of the best views of the mountain at sunset.

This guide covers the things to do in Jaffrey NH and neighboring Rindge, with places from our directory and a few tips for planning a fall visit.

Jaffrey and Rindge at a glance

Jaffrey is a town in Cheshire County with 5,320 residents at the 2020 census. Its main village sits along the Contoocook River at the junction of U.S. Route 202 and New Hampshire Routes 124 and 137. Rindge, directly to the south, had 6,476 residents at the 2020 census and is home to Franklin Pierce University, the Cathedral of the Pines and part of Annett State Forest, which includes Annett Wayside Park with picnic tables and a hiking trail to Black Reservoir.

The two towns have a shared origin story. Both were granted by Massachusetts in 1736 to soldiers from Rowley, Massachusetts, and both were known for a time as "Rowley-Canada." After a boundary ruling placed the land in New Hampshire, they were regranted as Monadnock townships: Rindge as "Monadnock No. 1" and Jaffrey as "Monadnock No. 2." Rindge was incorporated in 1768 and Jaffrey in 1773.

Jaffrey also has a notable literary history. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Rudyard Kipling all climbed Monadnock, and Emerson wrote his poem "Monadnoc" after his visit. Willa Cather, a summer resident, is buried in the town, as is Amos Fortune, an African-born man who purchased his freedom and established a tannery in the village.

Mount Monadnock

Mount Monadnock rises to 3,165 feet in the town of Jaffrey. It is the most prominent peak in southern New Hampshire and the highest point in Cheshire County, and it stands nearly 1,000 feet higher than any other peak within 30 miles. Its bare, rocky summit gives broad views in every direction, and it has long been cited as one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world.

The summit is bare largely because of fires set by early settlers in the early 1800s, which burned the red spruce forest that once covered it and left little soil on the upper mountain. The mountain's name also gave geologists a term: a "monadnock" is any isolated mountain left standing after softer surrounding rock erodes away.

Visiting Monadnock State Park

The main access is through Monadnock State Park, whose headquarters is on Poole Road in Jaffrey. The park's own guidance is worth taking seriously: it says Monadnock sells out on weekend days from April through November, that day-use reservations are strongly recommended, and that visitors without reservations are turned away when the park is full. You cannot park elsewhere and walk in.

The park also offers camping. The Monadnock State Park Campground listing in our directory points to the official park page, which covers campground seasons, reservation details and current trail notes. Fall conditions change quickly on an exposed summit, so bring layers, start early and check the park's page before you go.

The Park Theatre

Back in the village, The Park Theatre on Main Street is the cultural heart of Jaffrey. The theater first opened on May 1, 1922, as a movie and vaudeville house, and it stayed at the center of community life for 54 years until it closed in 1976.

A nonprofit bought the property in 2006 and rebuilt it as a modern film and performing arts center. Construction began in January 2019 and was completed in 2020. The new complex has two auditoriums with 433 seats in total and presents movies, live theater including children's productions, concerts and lectures. Its calendar is the best way to see what is playing.

The Jaffrey Civic Center

A short walk away, the Jaffrey Civic Center is a community arts venue whose stated mission is to provide a public space for artistic, educational and civic activities. It hosts rotating art exhibits in its galleries, along with classes and workshops in painting, collage and other media, and community events. Check its website for current exhibits and gallery hours.

Terrapin Glassblowing Studio

Terrapin Glassblowing Studio on Hadley Road, just off Route 202, describes its mission as keeping the art of glassblowing alive in the Monadnock Region. It works in both a hot shop and a flame shop, offers classes and torch rentals, and makes custom pieces, including memorial glass. The studio is open by appointment only, so book through its online calendar before you visit.

Where to eat

The Optimist Cafe is a bakery and cafe on Colls Farm Road in Jaffrey that opened in the spring of 2022. It describes its mission as building community in a welcoming space, with food made from local ingredients whenever possible. It also hosts classes and events, listed on its website.

After a morning hike, a cafe stop in the village is part of the routine for many Monadnock climbers. Jaffrey has other casual options along Main Street and Route 202, and Rindge adds more choices near the Route 202 corridor, so you rarely need to drive far for a meal after a long day outdoors.

Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge

The Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge is one of the most moving places in the region. It was founded at the end of World War II in memory of Sanderson Sloane and to honor the service and sacrifice of American military men and women. The site sits on a hilltop with a panoramic view of Grand Monadnock.

It is an open-air, nondenominational sanctuary with tended gardens, walking paths and wider trails, and it also hosts weddings, services and special events. A museum on the grounds tells the history of the site and the stories it commemorates. Visitors come to reflect, walk and take in the view, and late-afternoon light on the mountain is especially beautiful in fall.

A suggested fall day

• Early morning: Hike Mount Monadnock with a day-use reservation already in hand.
• Late morning: Coffee and a pastry at the Optimist Cafe.
• Afternoon: Browse the exhibits at the Jaffrey Civic Center, or book a glassblowing appointment at Terrapin.
• Late afternoon: Drive south to the Cathedral of the Pines for the view of Monadnock.
• Evening: A film or show at the Park Theatre.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation to hike Mount Monadnock?

Monadnock State Park strongly recommends day-use reservations and says visitors without them are turned away when the park is full, especially on weekends from April through November.

How tall is Mount Monadnock?

The summit is 3,165 feet above sea level.

Is the Cathedral of the Pines open to visitors?

Yes, it welcomes visitors to its grounds, trails and museum and hosts services and events. Check its website for current hours and the events calendar.

How far apart are Jaffrey and Rindge?

They are neighboring towns, and Rindge lies directly south of Jaffrey, so the two are easy to combine in one day.

Sources

• Jaffrey history and population: Wikipedia, "Jaffrey, New Hampshire" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffrey,_New_Hampshire)
• Rindge history and population: Wikipedia, "Rindge, New Hampshire" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rindge,_New_Hampshire)
• Mount Monadnock facts: Wikipedia, "Mount Monadnock" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Monadnock)
• Monadnock State Park: https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/monadnock-state-park
• The Park Theatre history: https://theparktheatre.org/a-brief-history/
• Jaffrey Civic Center: https://jaffreyciviccenter.com/
• Terrapin Glassblowing Studio: https://terrapinglass.com/
• The Optimist Cafe: https://theoptimistcafe.com/
• Cathedral of the Pines: https://www.cathedralofthepines.org/