outdoor recreation
The Monadnock region is crisscrossed with hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails, and dotted with lakes and ponds for swimming, boating, and fishing. Mount Monadnock, one of the most climbed mountains in the world with 40 miles of trails, is the “backdrop” for Peterborough and the many towns and villages in southwest New Hampshire.
Peterborough Recreation DepartmentParents and young athletes will appreciate Peterborough’s wide range of organized youth programs, along with expansive town recreational offerings.
The Peterborough Recreation Department supports local and travel sport programs, such as soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and golf, and adult softball and volleyball. On their web site is the current Recreation Brochure.
Nearby (right down the street/sidewalk) are the town recreation facilities: an outdoor public pool where swimming lessons are offered, tennis courts, ball fields, a playground with a summer day camp for children, and a skateboard park.
Cunningham Pond, on the east side of Peterborough, hosts the town beach.
Area CampsThe Peterborough/Monadnock region offers a variety of camp experiences with the emphasis here on summer camps with day programs. See the New Hampshire Camp Directors and the American Camping Association sites for additional camps in the area and New Hampshire.
BikingOpportunities for biking abound in the region. With terrain suitable for mountain biking as well, the Mondanock region and southwestern NH's trails are for all skill levels.
FishingOver 200 lakes, ponds, streams and rivers make for a diverse selection of species. Our own Nubanusit river is home to brook and brown trout.
GolfingAngus Lea
Crotched Mountain Golf Club
Monadnock Country Club, located in Peterborough, offers a nine-hole golf course, challenging enough for adults but small enough for young players.
Shattuck Golf Club
Woodbound Inn Golf Course
HikingTake a hike! The problem, if there really is one, is making a choice, not finding a place to hike. Peterborough is home to Shieling State Forest and Edward MacDowell Lake, and there is a trail from the center of town to the summit of Pack Monadnock. Nubanusit Neigborhood and Farm has a marked trail following the river into the woodland. The region itself offers many varied hiking locations.
Conservation has been a priority for decades, and the organizations active in this area—the Harris Center, NH Audubon, Monadnock Conservancy and Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests—allow access to their properties for recreation, including hiking.
SkiingAlpineCrotched Mountain
Pat’s Peak
Cross CountryWindblown Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Center
Sargent Camp
Forests & ParksCasalais State Forest
Cathedral of the Pines
Greenfield State Park
Miller State Park
Monadnock State Park
Rhodedendron State Park
Sheldrick Forest
Camping
Outdoors
Peterborough Recreation DepartmentParents and young athletes will appreciate Peterborough’s wide range of organized youth programs, along with expansive town recreational offerings.
The Peterborough Recreation Department supports local and travel sport programs, such as soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and golf, and adult softball and volleyball. On their web site is the current Recreation Brochure.
Nearby (right down the street/sidewalk) are the town recreation facilities: an outdoor public pool where swimming lessons are offered, tennis courts, ball fields, a playground with a summer day camp for children, and a skateboard park.
Cunningham Pond, on the east side of Peterborough, hosts the town beach.
Area CampsThe Peterborough/Monadnock region offers a variety of camp experiences with the emphasis here on summer camps with day programs. See the New Hampshire Camp Directors and the American Camping Association sites for additional camps in the area and New Hampshire.
- Barbara C. Harris Camp: Traditional week long overnight camps, day and specialty youth camps, and family programs.
- Silver Lining Circus Camp: Weekly performance camp.
- Dublin Preschool: Weekly themed camps
- Harris Center: Wee Wols, Wols, Voyagers, and Spoonwood Adventure. The Harris Center also offers year-round programs for youths, adults, and families.
- Mountain Lane Farm: Weekly program for riding, farm experience, crafts, and swimming.
- Nature's Classroom at Sargent Center: Adventure Camp
- Peterborough Art Academy: Weekly art camps for youths and teens.
- Well School: Acting, musical, and outdoors camps.
BikingOpportunities for biking abound in the region. With terrain suitable for mountain biking as well, the Mondanock region and southwestern NH's trails are for all skill levels.
FishingOver 200 lakes, ponds, streams and rivers make for a diverse selection of species. Our own Nubanusit river is home to brook and brown trout.
GolfingAngus Lea
Crotched Mountain Golf Club
Monadnock Country Club, located in Peterborough, offers a nine-hole golf course, challenging enough for adults but small enough for young players.
Shattuck Golf Club
Woodbound Inn Golf Course
HikingTake a hike! The problem, if there really is one, is making a choice, not finding a place to hike. Peterborough is home to Shieling State Forest and Edward MacDowell Lake, and there is a trail from the center of town to the summit of Pack Monadnock. Nubanusit Neigborhood and Farm has a marked trail following the river into the woodland. The region itself offers many varied hiking locations.
Conservation has been a priority for decades, and the organizations active in this area—the Harris Center, NH Audubon, Monadnock Conservancy and Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests—allow access to their properties for recreation, including hiking.
SkiingAlpineCrotched Mountain
Pat’s Peak
Cross CountryWindblown Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Center
Sargent Camp
Forests & ParksCasalais State Forest
Cathedral of the Pines
Greenfield State Park
Miller State Park
Monadnock State Park
Rhodedendron State Park
Sheldrick Forest
Camping
Outdoors