Outdoor Adventures in the Merrimack Valley: Trails, Water and Parks

The Merrimack Valley is where most New Hampshire residents live, and it is easy to assume the outdoors starts somewhere farther north. It does not. The Merrimack River runs through Concord, Manchester and Nashua, rail trails cross the southern towns, and one of the state's largest state parks sits just southeast of Concord. For a spring day when the mountains are still in mud season, the valley is often the better choice.

This guide covers the best outdoor activities in the Merrimack Valley of NH, along with the local businesses in our directory that help you do them: bike shops, a climbing gym, a riding farm, a dive center and a public golf course.

The Merrimack River

The Merrimack River rises at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin and flows south through Concord, Manchester and Nashua into Massachusetts, then turns northeast and empties into the Gulf of Maine at Newburyport. Its falls powered the mills that built the region's cities, and today its banks hold parks, boat launches and riverside paths.

In Manchester, the river runs past the Amoskeag Millyard, and walking its banks is a good way to combine a little history with fresh air. In Concord, riverside parks and conservation land give quieter access. Spring brings high water, so paddlers should wait for flows to settle and check conditions before launching.

Bear Brook State Park

Bear Brook State Park is a preserve of about 10,000 acres in Allenstown and neighboring towns, and one of the largest state parks in New Hampshire. Its trail network is used for hiking and mountain biking, and in winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

It is a strong spring destination because many of its trails are at low elevation. Expect wet spots after rain and snowmelt, and check the park's page with NH State Parks before you go for current fees and facilities.

Small mountains with big views

The Merrimack Valley does not have 4,000-footers, but it has summits that reward a short climb. The Uncanoonuc Mountains in Goffstown rise just west of Manchester. The north peak, the highest point in Goffstown, stands at 1,324 feet, and the summits give views back over the city. They are a good after-work hike in long spring evenings.

Rail trails and bike routes

The region's old rail beds have been converted into some of the best family biking in the state. Windham and Derry both have rail trails built on former railroad beds, and local trail groups continue to extend and connect routes across the southern part of the state. Rail trails are mostly flat and often paved or packed gravel, which makes it ideal for children, casual riders and walkers.

Two local shops help you get rolling:

• Cycles Etc has stores in Manchester and Salem, selling road, mountain, gravel, electric and city bikes, and handling tune-ups and repairs.
• Rail Trail E-Bikes in Derry specializes in electric bikes and scooters, with repair service, right in rail-trail country.

A spring tune-up is the smartest first ride of the year. Shops get busy as the weather warms, so book service early.

Climbing indoors when it rains

April weather in New Hampshire swings fast. Vertical Dreams is an indoor climbing gym on the fifth floor of the Waumbec Mill at 250 Commercial Street in Manchester, inside the historic Millyard, with a second location in Nashua. It is a good way to stay active on a wet day and a fun introduction for first-time climbers.

Horseback riding

Touchstone Farm in Lyndeborough is a horse farm that offers riding and driving lessons, therapeutic riding through its Horse Power program, and summer camps for young riders. Lyndeborough sits in the hills on the western edge of the valley, and the drive there is a reminder of how quickly the suburbs give way to farmland.

On and under the water

The Merrimack Valley is a practical place to learn to scuba dive before you travel to warmer water or head for the Seacoast. Aquatic Escapes Dive Center in Londonderry offers scuba training from open water through advanced and professional levels, plus equipment sales, rentals and repairs.

Golf close to the capital

Beaver Meadow Golf Course is a public course in Concord, a few minutes from downtown and the State House. It offers lessons and golf simulators along with the course, so it is useful early in the spring before the season is fully underway. Course opening depends on the weather each year.

Why the valley works in spring

Elevation is the key. Most of the Merrimack Valley sits far lower than the White Mountains, so snow leaves earlier and trails dry sooner. While hikers up north are waiting out mud season, valley trails, rail beds and riverbanks are often usable weeks ahead. The cities also put the outdoors close to lunch, gear shops and a warm place to dry off, which makes short, flexible outings easy to plan around changeable April weather.

The Merrimack Valley by season

Spring is the season for low-elevation trails, rail-trail riding and indoor climbing while the mountains dry out. Summer brings paddling on the river and its tributaries, golf and long evening hikes. Fall foliage reaches the valley later than the north, which stretches the hiking season into late October. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Bear Brook when there is snow.

Building your own outing

The best Merrimack Valley days mix one active stop with one easy one. Pair a morning ride with an afternoon walk by the river, or a climbing session with a short hike. Keep driving to a minimum by choosing stops in the same part of the valley: Concord and Allenstown in the north, Manchester and Goffstown in the middle, and Derry, Windham and Londonderry in the south. Starting early on spring weekends means easier parking at trailheads and shorter waits at bike shops and gyms. And if the forecast turns, every part of the valley has an indoor fallback within a short drive.

A one-day spring plan

1. Morning: A bike ride on the rail trail in Windham or Derry.

2. Lunch: Downtown Manchester or Concord.

3. Afternoon: A hike at Bear Brook State Park or up the Uncanoonucs.

4. Rain plan: An afternoon at the climbing gym in the Millyard.

Tips for getting outside

• Mud season etiquette. Avoid churned-up trails after heavy rain; choose paved or gravel routes.
• Ticks. They are active in spring. Check yourself after any walk through grass or woods.
• River safety. Spring water is cold and fast. Wear a life jacket and check flows.
• Check ahead. Parks, courses and shops set their own seasonal hours.

FAQ

What are the best outdoor activities in the Merrimack Valley, NH?

Hiking and biking at Bear Brook State Park, riding the rail trails around Windham and Derry, hiking the Uncanoonucs and walking the Merrimack River in Manchester and Concord.

How big is Bear Brook State Park?

Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, at about 10,000 acres, is one of the largest state parks in New Hampshire.

Is the Merrimack Valley good for family biking?

Yes. Its rail trails are mostly flat and away from traffic.

Where can I go climbing in Manchester, NH?

Vertical Dreams runs an indoor climbing gym in the Waumbec Mill in the Millyard.

Sources

• Merrimack River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_River
• Bear Brook State Park, Wikipedia and NH State Parks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Brook_State_Park
• Uncanoonuc Mountains, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanoonuc_Mountains
• Derry, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (rail trail on the former rail line): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry,_New_Hampshire
• Vertical Dreams Manchester: https://verticaldreams.com/locations/manchester/
• Touchstone Farm: https://www.touchstone-farm.org
• Aquatic Escapes Dive Center: https://www.aquaticescapes.com
• Cycles Etc: https://www.cyclesetcnh.com
• Rail Trail E-Bikes: https://www.railtrailebikes.com
• Beaver Meadow Golf Club: https://www.beavermeadowgolfcourse.com