Three distinct focuses for a stay in Northwood stand out: a universally accessible nature trail in Northwood Meadows State Park, public water access points and a seasonal snowmobile trail network. These differences can help you choose when to visit and what to do. There are also historical and cultural points of interest that tell Northwood’s story beyond its outdoor offerings.

Trails Through Nature and Wilderness

The Meadow Lake Trail in Northwood Meadows State Park is 1.5 miles long, universally accessible and offers recreational opportunities for people with different abilities. The park is set in a wilderness landscape and is also considered the headwaters of the Lamprey River.

Northwood also has nearly 30 miles of mapped trails listed in the state’s recreational trails database. More than 1,062 acres of conservation land and public land are open for hiking, snowshoeing and other low-impact activities.

Public Water Access

Northwood has eight public water access points: two on Bow Lake, two on Northwood Lake, and one each on Meadow Pond, Lucas Pond, Dole Marsh and Harvey Lake. Possible activities include swimming, picnicking, fishing from a boat or shore, boating and ice skating. Seasonal conditions and water quality should be taken into account.

When planning, this focus differs from hiking or snowshoeing: for water activities, the season and water quality matter as well as your chosen body of water. If you’re planning a specific water activity, it’s a good idea to check local advisories.

Winter Trails and Park-and-Ride

The snowmobile trail network covers 38 miles. The trails are opened or closed at 28 gates depending on whether there is sufficient snow cover; ground conditions also play a role. This means availability is not determined by the calendar alone. Before you travel, check current local information about the trails and parking.

There are two park-and-ride locations for the network: at Northwood Meadows State Park and at Northwoods Brewery. At the brewery, the location is at the back left end of the parking lot. This precise detail distinguishes it from the other park-and-ride location at the state park.

Historical and Cultural Points of Interest

The First New Hampshire Turnpike, also called Route Four, runs through all of Northwood. It was built around 1800 to connect Portsmouth with Concord. This historic road offers a different perspective on the town than its present-day nature and winter offerings.

The Upper Lamprey Scenic Byway highlights browsing Northwood’s Antique Alley. The Bryant Library – Northwood Historical Society Museum is also a historical point of interest: it was nominated for inclusion in the State Register of Historic Places and deemed eligible for it.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Priorities

When looking for a vacation rental in Northwood, you can start by deciding what you want your days to focus on: water activities, hiking and snowshoeing, or snowmobile routes. Seasonal conditions differ considerably: for water activities, the season and water quality matter; for the snowmobile trail network, snow cover, ground conditions and whether the gates are open are key.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Greenland, North Hampton, Seabrook, Candia, Sandown, Hampton Falls, Londonderry, Rye

Return to the main travel overview: Rockingham.