West Branch Brook Forest

About

This land provides high quality habitat for native animal, plant, and aquatic life. Wildlife observations include moose, deer, bear, coyote, gray & red fox, snowshoe hare, gray & red squirrel, chipmunk, porcupine, and beaver. Aquatic resources and wildlife habitats are especially well-expressed by virtue of a contiguous boundary of over 7,000 feet along the West Branch of the Pemigewasset River, and several pocket wetlands and vernal pools. The conservation of this fully forested property by the Town of Campton will protect these habitats, as well as provide recreation opportunities for Campton residents and visitors to our area.

Map

The Miller Trail is the main trail for walking and hiking the West Branch Brook Forest (WBBF). A spur trail provides access to the West Branch Brook. Please stay on the trails at all times while walking and hiking within the WBBF property.

Miller Trail

Peggy’s Pool: vernal pool, 0.25 miles from parking area

Spur Trail: blue blazed trail to river bank, 0.80 miles from parking area

Property Boundary: one mile from parking area

The Miller Trail traverses the entire length of the WBBF property. The WBBF portion of the Miller Trail is one mile long and provides opportunity to continue into the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). Vernal pools along the trail start at a quarter mile from the parking area. There is a spur trail at 0.8 miles that leads to the West Branch Brook. The spur trail is marked with blue blazes (strips of blue paint on the trees).

At the property boundary, the Miller Trail continues onto private property for 0.25 miles before reaching the WMNF. Please stay on the trail when traversing the private property. Once reaching the WMNF, it is another 0.75 miles to the end of the Miller trail and to the intersection of the WMNF snowmobile trail. There is a information kiosk at the intersection.

Uses

Please enjoy this property for

Walking & Hiking

Picnicking

Photography & Birdwatching

Respect other visitors and this ecologically sensitive environment

Area Restrictions

No Fires

No Camping

No Overnight Parking

Pack In, Pack Out

Clean up after your pet

Dogs must be on leash & under control

Thank You

History

The West Branch Brook Forest, a 145-acre property, was purchased by the Town of Campton in December of 2021.

This property is located on N’dakinna, the homelands of the Abenaki, Penacook, and other Wabanaki Peoples. We appreciate their thoughtful stewardship of the lands.

This property is the former Spokesfield Homestead, which has largely remained undisturbed by the previous owners, the Miller Family. Working with the four Miller siblings, who are descendants of the Spokesfield Family, the Campton Conservation Commission placed a conservation easement on the land at the time of the sale. The easement is held by the Pemi-Baker Land Trust and NHDES. The property will be managed as wildlife habitat and allow for public access for low-impact recreational activities, including continued winter use of the main Miller Trail as a snowmobile trail.

Supporters

The following support has made this community resource possible:

Grants, In-Kind Services, and Support

Individual Contributions