Rhododendron State Park

State Park Protecting A Stand Of Wild Rhododendron Of About 16 Acres (Confirm), Described As The Largest In Northern New England (Confirm) And Designated A National Natural Landmark, Blooming Around Mid July (Confirm), With A Loop Trail, A Wildflower Trail And A Trail To Little Monadnock Mountain (Confirm). · Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire

A small, quiet state park on a wooded hillside in Fitzwilliam, in the southwest corner of New Hampshire, protecting a wild grove of rosebay rhododendron of about 16 acres (confirm). The grove is described as the largest stand of its kind in northern New England (confirm) and is a National Natural Landmark, because this southern shrub grows here far north of its usual range. For most of the year the grove is a dim tangle of dark, leathery evergreen leaves under tall pines and hemlocks. For about two to three weeks, usually around mid-July (confirm each year), the shrubs open clusters of pale pink and white flowers, and the loop trail through them becomes a tunnel of blossom. The park has a short, mostly level loop through the grove, a wildflower trail near the lot, and a longer trail that climbs Little Monadnock Mountain for a view (confirm). A pine-shaded picnic grove sits by the parking area. The park is a few minutes from the old village common of Fitzwilliam and makes a calm half day with the villages and hills around it.

Rhododendron Road, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, 03447, United States

The park is open all year for walking from morning to dusk. It is staffed and charges a day-use fee mainly in the summer season and especially around the July bloom, roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day or shorter (confirm); outside that time it is usually unstaffed with an honor box or free entry (confirm). Restrooms are open in the staffed season only; at other times there may be none. The access road and lot may not be plowed in winter, so winter visitors may need to park by the road where legal and walk in (confirm). The rhododendron bloom itself lasts about two to three weeks, typically early to late July, and varies each year with spring weather.

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