August 15, 2021 ————–PLEASE NOTE
You may park at Camp Bell in the main parking lot and access any trails north of, and including Old Stage Rd (this is the immediate left after you cross the bridge over Moulton Brook). Old Stage Rd cuts the GSR property basically in half running east/west. All public access south of Old Stage Rd is closed until 9/1/21. So feel free to park, and hike on or north of Old Stage Rd. No check-in required…. GSR Ranger.
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Jun 1, 2021 ————–PLEASE NOTE
“In order to provide the highest level of health, safety, and security for the Hidden Valley Camp / LCIP property, all PUBLIC, NON-BSA REGISTERED CAMPER access to the property will be directed to the Camp Bell parking area accessible via Manning Lake Rd. From that point, visitors will be able to access the Belknap Range trail network for all points north of Old Stage Rd. This limitation will be in effect for the period of June 1, 2021 through August 31, 2021. All routes leading south from Old Stage Rd will be marked and signed as “Temporarily Closed”. Visitors who travel south of that point will be asked to promptly change their path of travel to routes north of Old Stage Rd.” So, in particular, this includes Shannon and Goat Pasture Hill.
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The following is from a pamphlet about the Reservation.
“Since 1971, the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America has owned and operated this outdoor education facility for the Scouting in New Hampshire, and for responsible recreational use by the general public. The Griswold Scout Reservation includes Hidden Valley Scout Camp and Camp Bell, which are operated for Scouting and the common good of the community.
The property consists of 3,270 acres, which are located in the towns of Gilford, Alton and Gilmanton. The Griswold Scout Reservation property has extensive undeveloped frontage on four Great Ponds. In addition, there are two large wetland areas which provide outstanding habitat for aquatic furbearers and a travel corridor for deer.
An additional 3,000 acres abuts the Reservation further enhancing the natural resource value of this area. In 1991, a Conservation Easement, held by the State of New Hampshire, was placed on the property to ensure that Scouting use and the conservation values of the property would be available for future generations. Much of the property as outlined on the map below is open to the public for passive recreation such as hunting and backcountry hiking.”
During the “off-season”, September through May, no permission is necessary to park at either Camp Bell or Hidden Valley. Parking is available in the main parking lot at either camp. The Scouts do ask for hikers to leave a basic trip plan in the window that gives us a general idea when they plan to leave the area. This helps them identify if a hiker is overdue and potentially in need of assistance. Name and phone number is also helpful. They ask that all vehicles remain in the parking lots and do not venture out onto camp roads.
The only time that “permission” is required is during their summer resident camp season. During the months of June, July, and August visitors are asked to check in at the Administration building at each camp. They will be logged in as “Easement Visitors”. They should also check out when they leave.
Dave Roberts cataloged a number of interesting features found on the Reservation on the map below. This list was compiled in the 1990’s and some features may not be exactly the same as they were when originally described.
