Hopkinton-Everett Lakes, Contoocook

Please note – There are no restrictions at this time but it is subject to change depending on conditions. Please see the Hopkinton Everett Lakes Facebook page for current announcements.

  • Elm Brook Park is closed for the season. The mountain bike and hiking trails remain open. The park will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 25, 2024, and close Monday, September 2, 2024. During the 2024 recreation season, Elm Brook Park will be closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • Stumpfield Boat Launch and Stumpfield Marsh are closed for the season.

Recreation Facilities/Activities

Hopkinton-Everett Lakes is a multi-use facility that provides many recreational opportunities for visitors to the 10,000-acre project. Hunting, fishing and hiking are just some of the activities enjoyed here. There are two developed recreation areas on the project: Elm Brook Park and Clough State Park.

Elm Brook Park offers picnic tables and grills, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, a swim beach (no lifeguards, swim at your own risk), a short nature trail, a boat ramp, and four picnic shelters which can be reserved in advance for a fee (unreserved shelters are available for use on a first come, first served basis).

Canoeing on the Contoocook River is also a popular activity at Hopkinton-Everett Lakes. In addition to the boat ramp in Elm Brook Park, a second boat ramp on Elm Brook Pool is located off of Route 202 / 9. There is no access fee charged for the use of this boat ramp.

Hopkinton-Everett Lakes provides approximately 26 miles of designated OHRV trails and over 30 miles of designated snowmobile trails. The designated trails are maintained by the State of New Hampshire's Bureau of Trails and all state rules and regulations apply within the project. Access to the OHRV trails is from the OHRV parking lot in Dunbarton only. Access to the snowmobile trails is from the OHRV parking lot or from State designated trails.

Operation of OHRVs or snowmobiles off of designated trails or in violation of posted signing is prohibited and may subject the operator to state and federal fines.

Biking is one of the many recreational opportunities that the Hopkinton-Everett Lakes' reservoir offers. Visitors are allowed to bike on any of the trail systems

We recommend the use of proper safety equipment when biking on our trails. We also ask that patrons become familiar with and observe all safety rules, and that bikers stay on the trails to avoid damaging fragile habitats.

Fishing and Hunting are allowed on portions of the Hopkinton-Everett Reservoir in accordance with State laws. Hunting is not permitted in recreation areas. To access NH State Laws click here.

Hunting for deer, pheasant, and small game is permitted during the state regulated hunting seasons. Licenses and season dates are provided on the Fish and Game Website.

Deer Hunters: tree stands are permitted for day use only. Stands found on the property unattended will be taken down.

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ELM BROOK PARK DURING PARK HOURS FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THROUGH LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

 

Reservations and Fees

ELM BROOK PARK USER FEES:

  • Minimum day use fee of $5.00 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.
  • Minimum day use fee of $2.00 per adult for walk-in or bike-in.
  • Minimum day use fee of $20.00 will be charged per bus or commercial vehicle.
  • Children under the age of 16 are not charged a day use fee.
  • Army Corps of Engineers Annual Pass $40.00.
  • The day use fee can be paid at the park entrance booth with cash or check. If you would like to pay the day use fee with a credit or debit card, you can purchase the day use pass ahead of time by visiting: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/elm-brook-park-day-use 

ELM BROOK PARK PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATION FEES (as of January 2019):

  • Shelter Area 1: $110/day
  • Shelter Area 2: $80/day
  • Shelter Area 3: $60/day
  • Shelter Area 4: $60/day

**Please note that Elm Brook Park User Fees still apply to visitors that have a picnic shelter reservation.

Note: Shelter reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.

Special Events

Special events that have been held at Hopkinton-Everett Lakes include: scout camping, dog trials, fire department training, fishing derbies, weddings, and triathlons.

There is a fee for special events, and the amount depends on the event.

Interpretive Programs

You are invited to our offerings of educational and recreational programs here at Hopkinton-Everett Lakes. These family oriented activities include guided trail walks, water safety demonstrations, Junior Ranger programs, dam tours and much more.

Please contact us to set up a classroom visit or program. Programs are offered both in the classroom and on site.

All of our programs are open to the public and best of all there is no charge or fee.

A complete list of our upcoming events can also be found on our Facebook site.

Natural Resources

Beyond the primary mission of flood control, the Corps of Engineers recognizes and embraces the role of steward of the lands under our control. The management of these natural resources is directed to ensure their enhancement today and their preservation for the future.

Corps personnel, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, manage the natural resources at Hopkinton-Everett Lakes.

Forest lands are actively managed for the benefit of wildlife, recreation, and forestry. In addition, several land tracts throughout the project are leased to local farmers for grazing and crop production. These practices are in place to ensure that both the wildlife and the land benefit.

Natural resources are managed to provide food, cover, nesting sites, and critical habitats for a variety of wildlife species. Resources are also focused on retaining some of the state's more ecologically critical habitats such as fens, vernal pools, spruce fir forests, and other important habitats.

In addition, there are the aquatic resources of our recreation pools and the Contoocook and Piscataquog Rivers.

Effective management requires good information and the staff of Hopkinton-Everett Lakes rely on many sources for natural resource management expertise. Information and expertise is utilized from natural resource specialists in the Corps of Engineers, from other federal and state agencies, and the academic community. With their assistance, the Hopkinton-Everett Lakes staff is able to focus their management efforts more efficiently and productively to ensure that, what is special here today, will be here tomorrow.


Updated: August 10, 2023

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Contact

Hopkinton-Everett Lake
2097 Maple Street
Contoocook, NH 03229
Phone: (603) 746-3601
Email 
Hopkinton-Everett Lake Directions

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