U.S. Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest

06/05/2026

This Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day and a Fee‑Free Day on the ! Thanks to all the volunteers and partner groups who help keep our trails in great shape. It’s a perfect time to get outside and enjoy your public lands.

06/03/2026

This Saturday is National Trails Day and a Fee-Free Day on the White Mountain National Forest! We’re joining a nationwide effort across public lands to inspire people to give back to the trails they love.

To find opportunities to get involved, visit the American Hiking Society’s project page: bit.ly/trails-day

A huge thank‑you to the dedicated volunteers and more than 20 partner groups who help maintain the vast network of trails. Your hard work keeps these trails safe, enjoyable, and resilient for everyone who visits.

Whether you volunteer or simply head out for a hike this Saturday, we appreciate your commitment to caring for our trails.

06/01/2026

The Forest Service has published the draft environmental impact statement for expansion of the Waterville Valley Resort, opening a 90-day comment period. This is your opportunity to help shape the ongoing analysis and final decision. Submit your comments here:

Waterville Valley Resort proposes an expansion, see project documents below for details on how to comment. The Get Connected option below is not active.

05/30/2026

It might be warm in lower elevations, but the mountains are expecting a storm Friday into Saturday. If you plan to hike, make sure to stay informed and have a way to check changing weather conditions. Be prepared for snow and cold and always share your hiking plans with someone else.

05/29/2026

UPDATE: Lincoln Woods Trail will close beginning June 15 through November 2026, when restoration work commences. The trail will be closed to protect health and safety during construction activities.

The trail suffered significant damage during several flooding events over the past decade. This is essential work to ensure the long-term viability of the trail resulting in reliable access to recreation opportunities.

See the Lincoln Woods Trailhead page for more information https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/lincoln-woods-trailhead contact the Pemigewasset Ranger District at (603) 536-6100 x 0.

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05/28/2026

National Trails Day is June 6, and we’re celebrating on the White Mountain National Forest by inviting you to join one of the stewardship events happening across the forest.

These projects are a great way to support the trails we all enjoy and be part of a nationwide day of helping us care for public lands.
Find an event and sign up here: bit.ly/trails-day.

American Hiking Society's National Trails Day is a day of service for hometown trails and the people who love them - June 6, 2026

05/25/2026

Forest Service offices will be closed today in observance of the federal holiday, but national forests and grasslands remain open for your enjoyment.

Stay safe, pack out what you pack in and enjoy your big backyard!

05/22/2026

Planning a camping trip this holiday weekend? It is vital that you keep a clean campsite to ensure bears and other animals don’t forage for your food! Although many visitors and campers never encounter a bear, the forest is their home, and bears can quickly become habituated to human food. Improperly stored food not only attracts bears to people currently camping at a site but lets the bear know that it can find food at that campsite in the future.
• Store food properly in closed/locked vehicles or bear containers.
• Put coolers and food containers in your vehicle when you finish your meal.
• Place trash in the bear proof dumpsters.

Note that overnight visitors in the Pemigewasset Wilderness are now required to store food, trash and scented items in a cylindrical, hard-sided, certified bear resistant cannister. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/safety-ethics
Free bear canister rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Lincoln Woods Trailhead Cabin in Lincoln, NH, Pemigewasset Ranger Station in Campton, NH, S**o Ranger Station in Conway, NH, and Androscoggin Ranger Station in Gorham, NH.

05/21/2026

Hikers, listen up! Ranger Renee and the rest of the folks at U.S. Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) want to share a reminder.

If you are planning an overnight in the Pemigewasset Wilderness this weekend (or any time this summer), WMNF has insituted a ⚠️ WILDERNESS BEAR CANISTER REQUIREMENT. ⚠️

🐻 WHAT ARE THE DETAILS?

Effective May 1st, 2026, all overnight campers in the Pemigewasset Wilderness must store all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, and toothpaste) and refuse in a cylindrical, hard-sided, non-pliable Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear-resistant canister.

Alternative methods for storing food and bear attractants in the Pemigewasset Wilderness will no longer be permitted as they have proven to be less effective than canisters.

The only exceptions are the bear resistant food boxes located at the Thirteen Falls Tent Site.

❔WHERE CAN I GET A CANISTER?

Bear-resistant canisters are available for sale from most outdoor equipment stores. They are also available for rent free of charge at White Mountain National Forest Visitor Centers in Lincoln, Campton, Conway and Gorham.

For locations and current hours of operation, click here. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/offices

🍎 WHAT WOULD ATTRACT A BEAR?

Anything with a scent! That means all food, trash, toiletries, recyclables, candles, medications, pet food, dirty diapers, baby wipes, beverages, insect repellent, cosmetics, etc.

🌲 WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT BEARS?

The White Mountain National Forest is home to a healthy American Black Bear population. Normally shy and wary of humans, bears can become aggressive as they become habituated to human food.

The best way to protect bears and yourself is to store your food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, toothpaste) and trash properly.

ℹ️ Information courtesy White Mountain National Forest
📸 Photo courtesy Carol Thompson

05/18/2026

On May 18, the White Mountain National Forest is conducting prescribed fire operations on the S**o Ranger District (Carroll County, NH). Burn units include Annis Field off the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, NH.