New Hampshire Wildlife Management Areas
Hidden Valley Conservation Easement
MAP AVAILABLE Click here to download PDF map of this easement |
Town: Alton, Gilmanton, Gilford
County: Belknap
Acres: 3,268
Acquisition History: The Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Webster Council, have operated a camp on this property for many years. In December of 1991, the Land Conservation Investment Program acquired a conservation easement on the 3,268 acres that the camp occupies, ensuring protection of the land and enabling the Boy Scouts to continue their traditional operations and programs. LCIP assigned management responsibilities to the Fish and Game Department.
Description: Visitors can enjoy nearly five miles of shoreline on four water bodies at Hidden Valley. These include Eileen, Manning and Sunset lakes, as well as Round Pond. There are also beaver ponds throughout, a heron rookery, and deer wintering areas. The 3,268-acre parcel consists mostly of upland forest, part of which connects Mount Belknap and Mount Major, two popular hiking peaks. There are walking trails and old roads throughout the property, some used by snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Adjacent protected lands create a 6,000-acre block of contiguous conservation land.
Common Wildlife: The four major water bodies at Hidden Valley have warmwater fisheries, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and sunfish. Brook trout are stocked into Manning Lake; rainbow smelt are present in Manning and Sunset lakes. Common wildlife species include woodcock, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and waterfowl, such as mallards, wood ducks and black ducks.
Special Notes: There are numerous buildings and tenting sites throughout the area due to the Boy Scout Camp. Visitors are encouraged to respect the facilities and operations of the Scouts. If you are going to use the property, particularly during the summer months, as a courtesy please contact the camp director by stopping in or calling at 364-2900.
Directions: From Route 140, just west of Gilmanton Iron Works, take Crystal Lake Road, where you will find boat/trailer access to Crystal Lake. North of Crystal Lake, the Alton Mountain Road to the right takes you to Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and the Guinea Ridge Road takes you to the boat/trailer access on Manning Lake.
DeLorme N.H. Atlas and Gazetteer coordinates: Page 36, F/G 5/6
