Campton brings together architectural history, natural areas, and traces of its river and industrial past. Blair Woodland Natural Area is set aside for low-impact public use. Livermore Falls Recreation Area provides access to the Pemigewassett River and also includes ruins dating from the 1870s. Blair Bridge offers a distinct focus on the history of covered bridges.
Blair Bridge: Construction and Design
The history of Blair Bridge goes back a long way: the original Blair Covered Bridge was built in 1829 and destroyed by arson in 1868. Blair Bridge was built in 1869, contains original timber, and measures 292 feet. At this length, it is the second-largest covered bridge located entirely within the boundaries of New Hampshire. It is also the last surviving bridge in New Hampshire built using Long’s patented truss design. The year it was built, its preserved timber, and its design describe different aspects of this structure.
Nature and River: Different Focuses
Blair Woodland Natural Area was donated to the Town of Campton in 2002. It is preserved as a natural area for wildlife and low-impact public use. Activities include nature study, walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, picnicking, and fishing. These activities range from observing nature to outdoor recreation, without limiting the area to just one type of leisure activity.
The Abenaki Trail in Blair Woodland Natural Area is named after the Indigenous people who lived and traveled along this river corridor. The name thus points to the corridor’s history as well as to the area’s nature activities.
Livermore Falls Recreation Area provides access to the Pemigewassett River for an easy float trip. The area features deep, clear water and waterfalls and is described as a swimming spot in Campton. Within Livermore Falls State Forest, the recreation area also includes ruins dating from the 1870s. Here, access to the river and historic traces exist side by side. This distinguishes it from the low-impact uses intended for Blair Woodland Natural Area.
Bridges, Water, and Local History
Campton’s development is also connected to waterworks and labor. Several dams and bridges were located at the intersection of New Hampshire Routes 49 and 175. They were important to the development of the community, as well as to timber harvesting, manufacturing, and recreation. Their historic role extends beyond the structures themselves: it links bridges and dams to Campton’s economic and community development.
The now-inactive red Dole Mill was founded by Moses Cook in 1820 below a dam and was one of the oldest woolen mills in the country. Campton Town House also tells the story of the community’s former functions: completed in 1855, it served as a town hall, library, and municipal court. The Carriage House, built in 1903, houses the 1889 Town Hearse. Both buildings are currently being restored and used to set up exhibits and safely store the collections.
When planning your trip, you can choose among different interests: nature activities at Blair Woodland, the river and waterfalls at Livermore Falls, or the history of bridges and the community. Each place offers a different way to explore Campton, without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Lyme, Hanover, Holderness, Alexandria, Waterville Valley, Thornton, Littleton, Sugar Hill
For the main travel overview: Grafton.
