Stonehouse Forest consists of more than 50 parcels of land that were acquired over a period of years by an European investor. At one time, the landowner planned a private exotic game hunting reserve for the property. In 2015, prior to listing the property on the open market, the landowner offered the opportunity for conservation organizations to consider acquiring it as public open space.
Later that year, SELT began negotiating with the owner and finalized an agreement to acquire the land in November 2015. Under the agreement, SELT agreed to close in the fall of 2017. Fundraising efforts successfully raised $3.5 million to acquire, conserve, and steward Stonehouse Forest in time to meet the closing date in December 2017.
SELT now owns the land subject to a conservation easement held by the NH Fish and Game Department and the town of Barrington.
In 2019, Stonehouse Pond became part of Stonehouse Forest. The 230-acre Stonehouse Pond Conservation Area located in Barrington, NH was conserved through a partnership between the Trust for Public Lands, the Town of Barrington, Strafford Rivers Conservancy and the NH Fish and Game Department. The partnership worked to place a conservation easement on the land through the Wetlands Reserve Program after which the ownership was transferred to the Strafford Rivers Conservancy.
Surrounded by thousands of acres of unfragmented forest, the 14-acre Stonehouse Pond itself is a popular place for fly-fishing. A network of trails weave through the remainder of the property, allowing for exploration of the forested uplands, over two dozen wetlands and vernal pools as well as to enjoy the view from atop the 150 foot high granite cliff.
The conservation easement allows SELT, as owner, to use the existing woods road network and construct and maintain trails and information kiosks at trailheads in locations identified through the management plan developed for the property. SELT has the ongoing responsibility to manage, maintain, and repair the trail system it creates. This work is completed with staff, volunteers, and contractors.
Explore Stonehouse Forest!
This property is open to explore. Please hike safe. Dress appropriately (and knowing how to use a compass will be very helpful).
Stonehouse Forest offers three trail heads: Marison Trailhead, Merryhill Trailhead, and Stonehouse Pond Trailhead. Note: The Stonehouse pond Trailhead is not maintained in winter. Please use the Marison and Merryhill Trailheads throughout the winter months.
Download the Stonehouse Forest Trail Maps
Download KML and GPX trail files on Trail Finder
Allowed Uses
- Hiking
- Wildlife Observation
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing
- Hunting
- Fishing
Trailheads
Marison Trailhead (Directions)
Merryhill Trailhead (Directions)
Stonehouse Pond Trailhead (Directions)
Natural and Archaeological Resources
- Wetlands and bogs
- Natural ponds (Round Pond and Little Round Pond)
- Headwaters for Mendum’s Pond and Swain’s Lake
- Migratory bird/waterfowl habitats
- Vernal pools for amphibians and reptiles
- Large mammals such as bobcats, moose, and bears
- Large glacial erratics (boulders), a small cliff face, and ledge outcrops
- Two cellar holes
- Cemetery
Funding Partners
- 425 individuals
- Great Bay Resource Protection Program
- New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP)
- Moose Plate Program
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Open Space Institute
- Town of Barrington
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
Stonehouse Pond Improvements
SELT and New Hampshire Fish and Game are partnering to make some important improvements to the property access at Stonehouse Pond to better balance fishing, swimming, and hiking access on this beloved property. While we are incredibly happy that so many people have enjoyed this wonderful property this past year, we must always balance the health of the natural habitat with the popularity of a given land - and Stonehouse is very popular!
Please read the FAQ below for more information about this project.
What are the planned changes at Stonehouse Pond?
Parking for swimming and hiking access at Stonehouse Pond will be restricted to the two existing SELT parking lots off of the access road on SELT land, which will be clearly identified with signs (as seen on the trail map below). SELT will be installing a new trail route from these parking areas to the swimming area at the big “swimming rock.” The existing trail at the end of the road that leads to the swimming rock will be closed due to stream damage and erosion.
Parking at the end of the road by the pond (where the New Hampshire Fish and Game kiosk is located) will only be available to licensed anglers (i.e., people who fly fish). There will be signs on the property indicating this.
Can I park on the side of the access road?
No. Parking will not be allowed on either sides of the road, which is owned by the State of New Hampshire. With cars parked along the access road, access for emergency vehicles (e.g., ambulances, fire engines, etc.) becomes far too difficult. In addition, the condition of the road has significantly deteriorated, which has begun to negatively impact the abutting, sensitive wetland areas and the wildlife habitat contained within.
Why isn’t swimming allowed in the area at the end of the access road?
While we understand that this is a popular swimming location, this particular section of the pond frontage is owned and managed by New Hampshire Fish and Game. That means activities like wading, swimming, fishing with bait and lures, and power boating are not allowed at this area by New Hampshire law. (You can learn more about these regulations here: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/wma/stonehouse-pond.html). We know that swimming at Stonehouse Pond is something people enjoy, and by creating this new trail, we are hoping to balance the popularity of swimming with the requirements of Fish and Game to manage their portion of the shorefront for anglers.
Where is swimming allowed at Stonehouse Pond?
Swimming is allowed at Stonehouse Pond from the "swimming boulder area," which is located along the pond's edge owned by SELT. Swimming is restricted along the entire pond edge owned by New Hampshire Fish and Game as it is designated for fly-fishing only. See the map below.
Can you tell me more about the Fish and Game access point and why it’s for anglers only?
New Hampshire’s Statewide Public Boat Access Program is funded through New Hampshire boat registration fees, which are combined as match dollars with federal Sport Fish Restoration funds to facilitate boat access opportunities in the state. Fish and Game’s Facilities Construction and Lands Division acquires land for public water access sites, refurbishes existing sites, and builds new public boat access areas using monies generated exclusively through this funding model.
Sport Fish Restoration Program revenues are generated through taxes on fishing tackle and equipment, as well as motor boat fuel, to support fishing and boat access on a national level and secure the land and shoreline to exclusively sustain these uses. NH Fish and Game developed the boat access site at Stonehouse Pond for boaters and anglers solely to promote the public’s ability to launch and retrieve boats for angling and recreation and to ensure shoreline fishing opportunities as required by the Sportfish Restoration Program. No state tax dollars are used in the support of the Statewide Public Boat Access Program.
Are there any other changes coming to Stonehouse Pond?
SELT will create a special habitat conservation and restoration area along the slopes close to the swimming rock and surrounding the trail. Over the years, these sections of the forest have seen increased foot traffic, to the point where very little vegetation remains on the forest floor. This contributes to increased erosion and a negative impact on the watershed that keeps Stonehouse Pond clean. You can help us by respecting the boundaries of these areas and staying on the trails - thank you!
Will SELT add any more parking?
Yes. We currently have plans to create an additional parking area off the access road, close to Route 9. This new area will also provide parking during the winter for recreation access.
Land Conservation Resources
The booklet, Conserving Your Land: Options for New Hampshire Landowners, is a concise and clear guide to possible conservation outcomes for your land. You can request a free copy from SELT, read the booklet online, or download a copy.
Want to Learn More?
If you are considering the conservation of your land, we recommend contacting us to set up a confidential meeting. We will be more than happy to meet with you to discuss your goals, walk your property, and answer your questions. Please contact us.