Pemigewasset Wilderness

Size: 45,000 acres

Trails: Approximately 60 miles of maintained hiking trails.

Description: This is the largest Wilderness on the White Mountain National Forest. Between 1880 and 1940, what is now the Pemigewasset Wilderness contained the largest logging railroad system in the White Mountains, including 72 miles of train lines. Over 1 billion board feet of timber was removed from the 66,000 acre watershed. In 1907, a 10-day wildfire fed on leftover logging slash. After years of unsustainable logging and the enormous fire of 1907, the Pemigewasset Wilderness has re-grown to include beautiful terrain for backpacking, hiking, and experiencing nature.

Regulations

• No mechanized equipment or mechanical transport (including bicycles, carts, and wagons. Wheelchairs are allowed.).
• Hiking and camping group size must be limited to 10 people or less.
• Geocaching is prohibited.

Special Regulations (in addition to those listed above):

• No camping, wood or charcoal fires within 200 feet of any trail.
• No camping, wood or charcoal fires within 200 feet of the East Branch of the Pemi River from the Wilderness boundary to its crossing with Thoreau Falls Trail, including islands.
• No camping, wood or charcoal fires within 1/4 mile of the Franconia Brook Campsite, 13 Falls Tentsite, Guyot Tentsite, or Thoreau Falls.