Donati Memorial Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Donati Memorial Park is a popular destination in the state of New Hampshire that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and points of interest.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Some good reasons to visit include hiking trails, scenic views, and recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating.

One of the main attractions in the park is the 80-acre reservoir, which provides ample opportunities for water-based activities such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The park also features several hiking trails, including the 2.2-mile Donati Trail and the 1.5-mile Great Brook Trail, which offer scenic views of the surrounding forests and mountains.

Other points of interest in the park include picnic areas, a playground, and a disc golf course. Visitors can also explore the park's historic sites, such as the Donati family homestead and the remains of an old sawmill.

Interesting facts about the area include that the park was donated to the town of Thornton by the Donati family in memory of their son who died in World War II. The park was officially opened to the public in 1966.

The best time of year to visit Donati Memorial Park is in the summer months, when the weather is warm and visitors can take advantage of the park's water-based activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Donati Memorial Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination in New Hampshire that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and points of interest to explore.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks