Ossipee Pine Barrens
Freedom, Madison, Tamworth, Ossipee, NH

© Eric AldrichThe Nature Conservancy

The Ossipee Pine Barrens is New Hampshire’s last intact example of a pitch pine/scrub oak woodland, a globally rare forest type, one of the state's most endangered landscapes.  It harbors a diversity of uncommon wildlife, including nearly two dozen threatened and endangered moths and butterflies, and several declining bird species, like whip-poor-wills, common nighthawk and the Eastern towhee.

As forest, the Ossipee Pine Barrens serves as a natural filter for one of new Hampshire's largest stratified drift aquifers. It helps ensure a constant and clean source of water for the area's businesses and families

Because of the forest's importance for biodiversity, the Conservancy has long identified the Ossipee Pine Barrens as a conservation priority. The Conservancy has been protecting land here since 1988, and the preserve now encompasses more than 2,200 acres between Silver and Ossipee lakes.

The Conservancy continues land protection efforts, and is poised to conserve an additional 616 acres, thanks to community support and a partnership with the state in a project with the federal Forest Legacy program. Click here for an update.

What to Do: Take a short (1.65 mile) loop hike along the Pine Barrens Loop Trail off Route 41. There are additional trails to explore here - see below.

Check out the fire protection buffers along Route 41 and along the Pine Barrens Trail near the West Branch entrance. The Conservancy cleared these areas to mimic fire disturbance and protect nearby homes from wildfire.

In early summer, this is the best place in New Hampshire to hear whip-poor-wills and nighthawks; best after dusk. Later in summer, the blueberries are ripe!

Learn more about Restoring Fire to the Ossipee Pine Barrens

History of the Ossipee Pine Barrens

 Check out the places the Conservancy is working to protect.


Directions:

• From the junction of Route 16 and Route 41 in Ossipee, follow route 41 North for approximately 2 miles.
• The entrance to the preserve will be on the Right side of the road.

Pine Barrens Loop - 1.3 miles. This trail begins at the preserve sign on Route 41 in Madison. The loop offers an easy excursion through classic pitch pine/scrub oak barrens. Follow the Pine Barrens Trail for a short distance before the trail diverges on the right. The trail crosses a powerline just before reaching the West Branch of the Ossipee River. To return, walk south on the powerline to the other half of the loop.

Pine Barrens Trail - .7 miles. This trail, a Class 6 town road, cuts across the pine barrens from Route 41 to East Shore Drive at the south end of Silver Lake.

West Branch Trail - 3.2 miles. A popular snowmobile trail, this path begins just across from the boat access on the south end of Silver Lake. Following the West Branch of the Ossipee River, it traverses through pitch pine and hardwood forests. It ends at the Camp Calumet Conference Center.

Boundary Loop Trail - 1.35 miles. Park at the Camp Calumet Conference Center and begin this walk from the west end of the lot, near the camp entrance. The first .3 miles goes through excellent pitch pine/scrub oak forest with many signs of past fire, including charred bark and sprouting needles. At .8 miles, the Jackman Ridge Trail diverges right to a sweeping overlook of the Pine Barrens and Ossipee Lake. From this junction, the trail returns to Camp Calumet in another .5 miles. Follow Ossipee Lake Road back to the parking area.

Jackman Ridge Trail - .5 miles. See above.

Hobbs Trail - .5 miles. This trail offers a short walk through a mature stand of pitch pines. Some of the larger trees are more than 150 years old. Parking is allowed only in the public portion of Babcock Road or at the Camp Calumet Conference Center.