Recreation Facilities/Activities
The Blackwater Dam offers visitors approximately 3,600 acres of land and water for recreational opportunities. The idyllic environment includes a meandering 8-mile stretch of the Blackwater River, an excellent fishery stocked with brown and rainbow trout. Anglers can also try their luck at catching perch, bass, sunfish, and pickerel.
The reservoir of Blackwater Dam is a great place for canoes and kayaks to explore wildlife and fascinating wetlands. Watercrafts can be launched at a variety of sites including Peter’s Bridge Recreation Area and Warner Road Canoe Launch.
Please remember that life jackets, or Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), are required safety equipment for all boats, including canoes and kayaks. State law requires the availability of one wearable PFD for each person in a boat. We encourage everyone to always wear their PFD when in, on and around water!
Hunting is another popular recreation opportunity at this project. Hunters will find a wide variety of game species including bear, moose, deer, pheasant, rabbit, grouse and waterfowl. Both gun and bow hunters alike will enjoy the solitude found within the reservoir.
Licenses and season dates are provided on the State of New Hampshire Fish and Game website: www.wildlife.state.nh.gov
Deer Hunters: tree stands are permitted for day-use only. Stands found on the property unattended will be removed.
Horseback riding opportunities exist throughout the project. Scenic horse trails and a large lot for horse trailers can be found at Cogswell Recreation Area off of Route 127 in Webster, NH. These trails are great for beginners and experts alike. Riders are encouraged to use the water crossings but are given options in the trail to avoid the water crossings as well. Check the Maps link on the right for a map of the main equestrian trail system.
The Blackwater Dam reservoir is a relaxing place for a picnic. There are many picnicking spots on the reservoir that provide visitors with tables and shade. These spots are located at Burbank Mills, Cogswell Road and Peter's Bridge Recreation Areas. Please be aware that these picnic areas do not have running water for drinking or washing hands, so be sure to bring your own beverages and consider bringing hand wipes.
Attention Electric Bike Users: Please note that only Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes are permitted on the multi-use trail systems. Electric bicycles classified as Class 3 are NOT authorized to be ridden on multi-use trails. However, Class 3 electric bicycles are permitted on project roads accessible to motorized public vehicles. Project roads and multi-use trails may only be accessed during daylight hours, and all cyclists must adhere to posted speed limit signs.
Reservations and Fees
Special events that have been held at Blackwater Dam include: kayak and canoe races, scout camping, dog trials, fire department and emergency medical technician training, fishing derbies, weddings, triathlons, and more.
If you are interested in holding a special event, you must apply in writing 60 days in advance. There is a no fee for holding special events, but a special use permit is required.
Natural Resources
Local forests are comprised mostly of mixed hardwoods interspersed with pine. Pine, birch, aspen, maple, oak, spruce, beech and hemlock are some of the common trees found in this area along with diverse plant life. During the spring, many wildflower species add a spectrum of color to the forests and riverscapes.
The project's forest resources are managed in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Wildlife habitat improvements, boundary line maintenance, forest inventory and mapping, commercial timber harvests and other activities are carried out under a detailed forest management plan for each area.
The mix of forest, field, and stream provides habitat for a wide range of fish and wildlife, both resident and migratory. Deer, fox, turkey, and an occasional black bear, find food and shelter in the woods. Open meadows attract New England cottontails, field mice, kestrels, and migrating hawks. Beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink play along the shorelines of small streams, while painted turtles and leopard frogs bask in the shallows. Spring and fall migrations bring Canada geese and other waterfowl to join great blue heron fishing the backwaters.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, under agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Division of Forests and Lands, stocks upland game birds, assists with the maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitat, administers a fur-bearer trapping program and enforces fish and game laws. Hunting for deer, pheasant, and small game is permitted during the state hunting season.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work cooperatively to stock various species of fish and perform water quality studies in the Blackwater River.
Updated: April 25, 2025