The Marion Davis Trail at Miller State Park in Peterborough, New Hampshire is a moderate 2.8-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the summit of Pack Monadnock Mountain and features a vista at the summit.
Trail Name: Marion Davis Trail.
Location: Miller State Park, 13 Miller Park Road, Peterborough, NH in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire.
Allowed activities: hiking, birding, geocaching, picnicking with tables and grills at the parking/gate area, snowshoeing, scenic auto road to the summit.
Forbidden activities: no camping, no fireworks, no horseback riding (unless written permission has been obtained in advance), no bicycles, no ATV’s, no trailbikes, no snowmobiles (unless on an established snow mobile trail sanctioned by the Bureau of Trails for OHRV), no picking endangered or threatened plants or flowers, no removing or damaging any structure, plant or natural feature of the park.
Hours: Miller State Park is always open but the ranger station is staffed and open on the following schedule:
4/12-5/24: 9am-5pm,
5/25-9/2: Weekdays 9am-6pm and Weekends 9am-7pm
9/3-10/31: 9am-5pm
11/1-11/11: 9am-4pm
Hours may be changed when weather conditions require altered hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for hours on Holidays: 603-927-3672.
Parking and fees: There is plenty of room for parking at the base of Pack Monadnock and limited parking at the summit. There is fee to park and use the trails. Admission is $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free. Season passes are available. Group rates are also available with advanced reservations only. When the park is not staffed, visitors are encouraged to use the metal self-pay station and the envelopes provided.
Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they are leashed, and as long as the owner complies with NH state law, making sure the leash does not exceed 6 feet in length. All animal waste must be carried out with the hiker and bags are provided at the trail head and summit areas.
Accessibility: Hikers will experience a rocky trail along with multiple tree roots, leaf litter, and some rock scrambles. This trail is neither wheelchair nor stroller accessible.
Sanitation: Restrooms are available to visitors in the main parking area of the park. There are no trash bins and visitors are encouraged to carry in and carry out all trash. There are an additional two restrooms at the summit. There is a small store at the summit and water is available for filling water bottles or water for dogs. Please carry out any trash.
Trail information: There is a Trail board with posted maps and information at the trail head parking area. There is an additional trail board with similar information at the trail head. There is a staffed ranger station in the parking area. The ranger station is staffed full time from April 12th to November 12th. The trail blaze on the Marion Davis Trail is a Blue Triangle.
Hikers can also print a map before heading out by going to the link below:
https://www.nhstateparks.org/getmedia/76e1735a-a06e-4cec-b96f-944d56bea96c/Miller-Hiking-Map_1.pdf
Miller State Park is open unless closed or restricted by posting. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed, so there is no guarantee that restrooms will be available to visitors. Gates may also be locked.
Length and features: This hike was done as an “out and back” hike and round trip is 2.8 miles. The highlights at the summit of this hike are the views of Mount Monadnock, the climbable Fire tower and views of surrounding mountains. On clear days visitors can see the Boston, Massachusetts skyline. The summit has several picnic tables. The Marion Davis Trail has less dramatic rock scramble than the Wapack Trail, and appears to be easier for canines and families hiking with children. The Marion Davis Trail is rocky in several sections with, only a few steep sections. Some of the rocky sections resemble rock stairways. There are lots of smaller stones as well as an abundance of tree roots. Foot placement requires attention; care needs to be taken to avoid tripping. The incline on the trail is gradual but steady. There is a nice canopy of trees to keep hikers shaded and cool. There aren’t any spots to stop and take in the view due to the height of trees along the trail, but there are some interesting outcroppings of granite. There is a Geocache along the trail that is closer to the summit. When the ranger station is staffed, the store at the summit is also staffed and visitors can purchase water, snacks, gear and souvenirs’. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
