Bear Brook State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire is a popular tourist destination due to its vast and diverse recreational opportunities.


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Summary

Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking in the park's 10,000 acres of wilderness. The park also offers historical sites such as the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and the Bear Brook State Park Museum. One of its most famous attractions is the Bear Brook Murders case, which was solved in 2019 after 30 years, attracting curious visitors.

Bear Brook State Park has over 40 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, including the Bear Brook Trail, which is a popular 8.6-mile loop through the park. There are also over 100 campsites available for camping enthusiasts. The park's swimming area features a sandy beach and crystal clear water in Hot Corner Pond. Fishing enthusiasts can cast a line in Bear Brook, Little Bear Brook, and Catamount Pond, where they can catch brook trout, largemouth, and smallmouth bass.

The park's history is also a popular attraction. The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum showcases the history and impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps on New Hampshire's state parks. The Bear Brook State Park Museum houses several exhibits, including one on the Bear Brook Murders case.

The best time to visit Bear Brook State Park is during the summer months between June and August when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities. However, the fall foliage season is also a popular time to visit, as the park's forests come alive with vibrant colors. In addition, the park hosts special events throughout the year, such as the Bear Brook Trail Marathon in September and the annual Christmas tree lighting in December.

Overall, Bear Brook State Park is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of New Hampshire.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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