Great Bay

An August walk took us to the Great Bay in Newington, NH. It's actually called the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge although we saw no actual wildlife. This was a very pleasant , serene walk through a grassy meadow, shoreline woods and marshland with a wooden bird-watching stand extending into the marsh and overlooking Little Bay. From the parking lot there are 2 trails - to the left is the short - Peverly Pond trail (1/2 mile) and longer is the Ferry Way trail (about 2 miles) which skirts a small beaver pond and gives you views of the Little Bay. Both are loops- grassy , wide and flat and so are great for families. There is also a restroom at the trailhead.

This is such an interesting area because it is only a few minutes from the bustling commercial districts of Newington and Portsmouth, NH. As you drive out from the Pease International Tradeport you will be reminded that this was once the Pease Air Force Base which was closed in 1989. Right next to the parking lot is the former weapons storage area still enclosed by a high fence and looking very governmental. To the right of this area is the Ferry Way trailhead.
To get there just take Exit 1 from the Spaulding Turnpike (Rt. 4/16) and head toward the Pease Tradeport. Take a right onto Arboretum Drive and keep going (follow signs for the Refuge) until you get to the parking area/headquarters. The kiosk in the parking lot has maps.