The Town of Merrimack acquired the 563 acre Horse Hill Nature Preserve by warrant article at town meeting in 2002. The Preserve takes its name from Horse Hill, one of two 400’ hills located within the Preserve. Approximately 475 acres of the Horse Hill Nature Preserve is forested in a mixture of hardwoods and softwoods. Another 60 acres consists of streams, ponds, swamps and numerous wetlands. This mixed habitat, ranging from dry uplands to wetlands, supports a diverse mix of plant and animal life.
The Preserve abuts the White Pine Swamp Conservation Area of 34 acres, which is the site of a Great Blue Heron rookery. Both the White pine Swamp and the Heron rookery are listed in the NH Natural Heritage Inventory. The Preserve also connects to Wasserman Park through a trail across the Wasserman Conservation Area.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve contains many artifacts of Merrimack’s early history. Blodgett Hill, the highest point within the Preserve, is named for the Blodgett family who were early settlers of this part of Merrimack. The Spalding family were also early settlers, and the foundation of the house of a Captain Spalding is located in the Preserve. Numerous stone walls still mark the one time farming activities of these two families. Two hand dug, stone lined, wells are located on the property. One of these wells is still in use today. A well preserved portion of Old Kings Highway, a Colonial road which once ran from Keene to Portsmouth, crosses the southeast corner of the Preserve.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve supports a variety of activities including hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, and horseback riding.
Directions to Horse Hill Nature Preserve
Additional Links
Horse Hill Nature Preserve Trail Map