Cilley State Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cilley State Forest is a 2,100-acre forest located in the state of New Hampshire, USA.
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Summary
The forest offers several outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, moose, and black bears.
One of the main attractions of Cilley State Forest is the Mad River, which offers excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can catch a variety of fish, including brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The forest also has several hiking trails, including the Cilleyville Trail, which offers scenic views of the surrounding area.
Interesting facts about Cilley State Forest include its history as a logging area, with many of the trees used to build ships during the American Revolution. The area was also used for farming before it was turned into a state forest.
The best time of year to visit Cilley State Forest is during the fall, when the foliage is at its peak. However, visitors can enjoy the forest year-round, with activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing available during the winter months.
Overall, Cilley State Forest is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers something for everyone. Whether visitors are interested in hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the outdoors, they are sure to find something to love about this stunning forest.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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