Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area

For the gorge of the same name in Massachusetts, see Chesterfield Gorge (Massachusetts).

Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area
Footbridge over Partridge Brook
Map
Location1823 Route 9, Chesterfield,
Cheshire County, New Hampshire
Coordinates42°54′52″N 72°24′16″W / 42.9145°N 72.4045°W / 42.9145; -72.4045
Area13 acres (5.3 ha)
Elevation712 ft (217 m)[1]
Established1948 [2]
Administered byNew Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
DesignationNew Hampshire state park
WebsiteChesterfield Gorge Natural Area

Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, also known as Chesterfield Gorge State Wayside, is a 13-acre (5.3 ha) state park on Route 9 in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.[3] The park conserves a rocky gorge with waterfalls on Wilde Brook. There is picnicking, a seasonal visitor center, and 0.7-mile (1.1 km) trail on either side of the brook.

The park owes its existence to local farmer George White, who bought the gorge in 1936 to protect it from clear-cut loggers. White sold 15 acres (6.1 ha) to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, which then donated the land to the state.[4] As Chesterfield Gorge Wayside Picnic Area, the park dates from 1948.[2]

Lower Falls - Oct 2020 - Thatcher
Gorge Overview - Oct 2020 - Thatcher

References

  1. ^ "Chesterfield Gorge State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b G. Henry Crawford, State Parks Promotion Section (November 1967). "General Information" (PDF). New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. p. 8. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area". New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area" (PDF). New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved July 27, 2020.