The Vickie Bunnell Preserve & Bunnell Tract

The Vickie Bunnell Preserve is a 10,500-acre area that helps protect one of the most unusual forest habitats in the world. Known as the high elevation spruce-fir forest, this habitat contains more rare and endangered species than any other in New Hampshire. The land also holds the highest mountain north of the White Mountain National Forest, the great Bunnell Mountain (or, Blue Mountain) which raises over 3700-ft. The preserve also contains 12 other peaks above 3000-ft and has over 28-miles of stream frontage. This combined with its many ponds and bogs, make it a beautiful place to explore and admire. Though the preserve welcomes public recreation, it no longer allows any timber harvesting.

The Vickie Bunnell Preserve was acquired in 2001 by the Nature Conservancy and is still its largest nature preserve in the state. The preserve is part of a larger 18,680-acre Bunnell Tract protection area. The Bunnell Tract land that surrounds the Vickie Bunnell Preserve, can still be managed for timber production. The area was named in memory of the former Colebrook selectman and judge, Vickie Bunnell, who tragically died in August of 1997. Vickie Bunnell frequented the area and knew the true importance of our nature's wilderness. And now, thanks to her devoted parents and the diligence of the Nature Conservancy, the preserve will forever protect the area from development.
The preserve is open to the public for hiking, bird watching, nature study, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting*, fishing, and snow-shoeing.

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*Note: Hunting is allowed by permission only.
Please see the local Fish & Game for more information.

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Accessing the Vickie Bunnell Preserve:

Coming from Route 3 in Columbia, take Fish Pond Road next to the Shrine. Travel about 4 miles and turn right on Jackson Rd. In 2 miles you'll reach the dirt intersection of Bungy Road, turn right. Drive another 2 miles until you reach the gates of Columbia Road on your right.
Map of Columbia Road. Provided by Google Maps ©
Note: Access Roads close for the winter and can only be used for recreation.

See our Recreations Page for more information.

The Nash Stream State Forest

A small portion of this vast 40,000 acre state forest finds itself in Columbia, NH. The rest of the land covers the towns of Stark, Stratford and Odell. It's a beautiful, untamed forest to hike, hunt, watch wildlife and explore. You can fish in the forest's many streams, bogs & ponds (a few of which have been stocked with brook trout for more than a century). Many come to hike and pick wild blueberries atop the numerous hills and alpine peaks.

The Nash Stream Forest was acquired in 1988 by the state through the Land Conservation Investment Program in cooperation with the United States Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for New Hampshire Lands and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. It was purchased in part to provide public access for recreation and to protect the beauty and ecological values of the area. Though, unfortunately, almost half of the area is still managed for timber harvesting. It's primarily a hardwood forest, with sugar and red maple, yellow /paper birch, and American beech. Up to eight feet of snow falls here annually, so in winter many get around by snowshoes, snow machines and skis.

The Forest is open to public recreation and has a great network of trails for snowmobiling and hiking. It also has trails available for ATV travel.

Accessing the Nash Stream Forest:

The Nash Stream State Forest can be accessed from Route 110 in Stark, off North Avenue Side Road and Emerson Road.
Note: Some access roads close for the winter and can only be used for recreation.

See our Recreations Page for more information.

The Recreation Page
See for more information on:

· Ponds, Streams & Rivers
· Hunting & Fishing
· Winter Sports / Snowmobiling
· Summer Sports / Hiking
· Trails and Information