Friends of Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge

Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge is located in Jefferson, Carroll, and Whitefield, NH about 95 miles north of Concord, NH.  There are 5 access points to the refuge, all of which can be easily reached by car.  To get custom directions to the Mud Pond Trail parking area, click here and then click on the Directions tab.  To get custom directions to the other 4 access points, click here and then click on the Directions tab.

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• The main—and most popular—point of access is from a parking lot off Airport Road, about 1 ½ miles from Route 115.  Driving down Airport Road, look for a brown Pondicherry sign on the right and turn into the lot, crossing a small bridge.  The Pondicherry Rail Trail begins just beyond the kiosk, which has a trail map and other information about the refuge on display.  An overflow parking lot can be found on Airport Road, just beyond the entrance to the main parking lot.

• The refuge can also be accessed from a parking lot off Route 116, about 3 miles from Route 2 in Jefferson or 6 miles from Route 3 in Whitefield.  Driving down Route 116 from Jefferson, look for a Silvio O. Conte—Mud Pond Trail sign on the left.  Turn onto the dirt road and drive a short distance to the parking lot.  The Mud Pond Trail begins just beyond the kiosk.  This lot is plowed in the winter, making it the best approach to the refuge in the winter months.

• A third point of access to the refuge can be found off Whipple Road, which runs between Route 116 and Route 115A.  From 115A, drive about ¾ of a mile down Whipple Road and look for a small clearing on the left that has a Cohos Trail kiosk and a yellow gate.  Park off the road at the edge of the clearing, taking care not to block the gate.  The Colonel Whipple Trail, marked by a small sign and a yellow blaze on a tree, starts beyond the gate.

• Off Route 115A, about half a mile from Route 115, the refuge can be accessed where the Presidential Rail Trail crosses Route 115A.  Look for a yellow/black/orange gate on the left and park in the small parking area on the side of the trail (do not block the gate).  Walk around the gate and head west on the trail to reach the refuge.

• A final access point to the refuge can be found along Route 115 at the Owls Head Trail parking lot.  Look for the Cherry Mountain Slide historical marker at the edge of the lot.  Park in the lot, carefully cross Route 115, and then walk a short distance east along Route 115 until you see the sign for Slide Brook Trail on your left.  The trail heads out across the field beyond the sign.

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E911 ADDRESSES FOR PONDICHERRY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAILHEADS:

 

• Mud Pond Trailhead: 543 Bailey Road, Jefferson, NH 03583 (NH 116)

 

• Colonel Whipple Trail, 162 Whipple Road, Jefferson, NH 03583

 

• Owl’s Head and Slide Brook Trailhead, 801 Owl’s Head Highway, Jefferson, NH 03583 (NH 115)

 

• Presidential Rail Trail, 794 Meadow Road, Jefferson, NH 03583 (NH 115A)

 

• Presidential Rail Trail (Pondicherry Rail Trail section), 289 Airport Road, Whitefield, NH 03598