CONCORD, New Hampshire ??” Due to the heavy rain and flooding over the last two weeks, selected State Parks, State trail areas and State Forests in the southwestern part of the state will remain closed. These DRED properties are closed due to the concern for public safety and to protect the natural features and resources of the parks.

The following State Parks, State Forest and State Trails will remain closed until further notice:

New Closures:
Hopkinton Everett Flood Control Area Trail System (Closed to motorized and non-motorized) use.

Ongoing Closures:
Pisgah State Park – Winchester, Hinsdale and Chesterfield (Closed)
Pillsbury State Park Campground and Day Use Area ??“ Washington (Closed)
Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area – Chesterfield (Closed)
Cheshire Rail Trail north from Keene to Walpole (Closed)
Ashuelot Rail Trail (Closed)
Fort Hill Rail Trail (Closed)

Openings:
The following State Parks and State Forests are now open to the public subject to further closure if required. Visitors should continue to use extra caution as the recent heavy rains have changed conditions on roads, trails, bridges and in the woods. Visitors should consider the conditions to be the same as those during the Spring when snow runoff and heavy rains have occurred. Recommendations include avoiding low lying areas and stream channels below dams, keeping away from banks that have been undercut, staying off of unstable slopes, and exercising extra caution when approaching and crossing bridges.

Pillsbury State Park areas outside the Campground and Day Use Areas ??“ Washington (Open to non-vehicular access)
Annett State Forest – Rindge (Open)
Hubbard Hill State Forest – Charlestown (Open)
Russell-Abbott State Forest – Wilton & Mason (Open)
Casalis State Forest – Peterborough (Open)
Low State Forest – Hillsborough (Open)
Fall Mountain State Forest – Langdon (Open)
Gile State Forest – Springfield (Open)
Cheshire Rail Trail South from Fitzwilliam to Keene (Open)
Sugar River Rail Trail (Open)

The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development and manages 72 state parks, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas. To learn more about the Division of Parks and Recreation, visit www.nhstateparks.org or call 603/271-3556.

The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands protects and promotes the value provided by trees and forests through the acquisition and management of forestlands, the enforcement of timber harvesting laws and by providing information to landowners, natural resource professionals and the public. For more information about the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands visit www.nhdfl.org or call 603/271-2214.