Outdoor Recreation: Parks

Elm Brook Park

URL: http://www.nhstateparks.com/hopev.html
Address: Route 127, Hopkinton, NH 03229
Phone: (603) 746-3601

Elm Brook Park is an 8,000-acre parcel that's part of an Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project. The artificial lake, created by the Hopkinton Dam, includes a lovely swimming area with a broad sandy beach. Wooded nature trails looping through the park are well-groomed and easily traversed. A side trail leads to a cleared area where an old cemetery used to be — it was moved because when the reservoir is full, this field is under water. The combination of wooded, open and wetland habitats makes this a wonderful bird-watching spot.Activities: Swimming, picnicking, boatingAmenities: Picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, a swim beach (no lifeguards), a short nature trail, a boat ramp, and four picnic shelters available on a fee basis.Shelter reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.Fee: A Fee of $1.00 per person is charged up to $4.00 maximum per vehicle. There is no fee for children 12 and under. A Fee of $3.00 is charged for boat launching.Operation Schedule: Mid-May through the second weekend in September from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (May - August) and 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (September).Acreage: 10,000 acresWaterfront: Hopkinton - Everett LakesNumber of Campsites: None