Pemigewasset Wilderness

Pemigewasset Wilderness is a protected forest in the White Mountains that spans thousands of acres with ridgelines and river valleys. The landscape includes old-growth sections mixed with areas recovering from past logging, creating varied scenery as you move through the terrain.

From the late 1800s through the 1930s, logging operations removed most trees from this area. Federal protection was established in 1984 to allow the forest to grow back naturally and permanently prevent industrial use.

The wilderness maintains strict preservation protocols, prohibiting all motorized equipment and mechanical transportation to ensure natural conditions remain undisturbed.

Main access starts at the Lincoln Woods Trail from a parking area on Kancamagus Highway, where you cross a suspension bridge over the river. All travel is on foot or by bicycle since motorized vehicles are not permitted anywhere in the area.

The wilderness contains two separate sections with different terrain shapes and forest conditions. Owl's Head mountain stands out as a bare rocky peak in the western section, creating a striking contrast against the surrounding dense forest.