Northern Recreational Rail Trail
NH · Boscawen / Andover / Lebanon
379 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303
Northern Recreational Rail Trail has the kind of easy grade and open-ended mileage that makes rail-trail riding feel especially inviting. The former corridor keeps the day approachable, while broad rural mileage, old depots, fields, river views, and a sense of traveling across a substantial slice of central New Hampshire gives the ride real personality instead of just flat utility. For riders building a curated New Hampshire guide, it offers a practical, horse-friendly outing with enough landscape interest to feel intentional, photogenic, and worth the haul.
Riding guide
Highlights
A signature long-distance corridor where gentle grades and classic New Hampshire scenery make the miles feel easy and satisfyingly grand.
Riding
Expect a long, mostly gentle former-railroad route with scenery that shifts from open valley stretches to small-town and wooded sections The rail grade keeps the route generally manageable, which is part of the appeal, but it is still a shared multi-use corridor rather than a secluded bridle path. Horses comfortable with changing surfaces, gates, crossings, and the occasional mixed-use encounter tend to enjoy these trails the most.
Rideable terrain
59.3 miles
Trailer parking
Gerrish Depot in Boscawen offers one of the clearest starting points, with a recognized trailhead area and room to organize before setting out.
Horse regulations
Ride only on the designated rail-trail corridor and follow all posted New Hampshire Bureau of Trails rules, closures, and seasonal notices. Some trailheads are better suited to trailers than others, so stay with established parking areas and observe any posted local restrictions or seasonal updates. Good shared-use manners matter here, especially near trailheads, road crossings, and any sections with permitted motorized traffic.
Getting here
Use 379 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303 as your most dependable trailhead anchor. Gerrish Depot in Boscawen offers one of the clearest starting points, with a recognized trailhead area and room to organize before setting out. Because access points can differ widely along state rail trails, the smoothest arrival comes from choosing a known staging area in advance instead of improvising roadside parking. Early starts are especially helpful if you are bringing a larger rig and want a quieter, more spacious unload.
Planning your visit
If you are not planning a point-to-point shuttle, choose your turnaround before you start because the trail can tempt you into riding farther than your return timing allows. Surface and status can change with weather, washouts, or maintenance, so check current conditions before you haul. The most elegant visits usually come from realistic mileage goals, a clear turnaround plan, and a horse that is settled in mixed-use spaces.
Where to stay
This is strongest as a premium day ride rather than a horse-camping destination. Boscawen, Andover, and Lebanon make it easy to pair the trail with food, lodging, or a longer regional itinerary if you want to turn a day ride into a weekend loop. Bring the practical comforts with you in the trailer, enjoy the ride for what it is, and let nearby towns handle the before-and-after ease.
Trails
No trails synced for this park yet.
Campgrounds
No campgrounds listed for this park.
Photos
Stay near this park
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