Originally protected by the Bedford Land Trust and conveyed to PLC on January 1, 2020. The property is owned by the Town of Bedford, subject to a conservation easement held by PLC.
The Pulpit Rock Conservation Area is “Bedford’s Natural Treasure” and one of the town’s best places for local hiking, bird watching, and close-to-home outdoor experiences. With a marked trails system and varied terrain, the 338-acre parcel features the gorge and ledge named “Pulpit Rock”, wetlands, Pulpit Brook, a number of small picturesque waterfalls; rocky outcroppings, glacial erratics such as Indian Rock, beaver lodges, and the remnants of Gage’s Mill, along with forest and fauna.
The Pulpit is a natural treasure not only because of its geology and history but also because of its open space and natural habitat. Mixed stands of hardwood, pine, and hemlock cover much of the property. The wetlands, forming the headwaters of the Pulpit, cascade over small picturesque waterfalls leading toward the vast rock formation. This conservation land offers more than 3 miles of hiking trails and other opportunities for passive recreation. The Pulpit Rock property also abuts Amherst conservation land which then abuts the Joppa Hill conservation land. A new connector trail runs from Pulpit Rock through Amherst to Joppa Hill. The three properties combined create a meaningful conservation area for wildlife and recreation.
Description:
This 338 acre parcel is located on New Boston Road in Bedford, NH
Key Features:
Hiking trails, gorge, ledge, waterfalls, mill dam, forest land
Directions:
From Bedford Center Road take turn right onto Ministerial Road. Continue for 1.3 miles. Then take a right onto Wallace Road. After .8 miles take a left onto New Boston Road. In 3.7 miles Pulpit Rock will be on your left.
Parking:
1. Kennard Trailhead: On the south side of New Boston Road, about .2 mile west of Esther Drive, at approx. 596 New Boston Road
2. Gage's Mill Trailhead: Turn onto Pulpit Road from New Boston Road and drive .72 miles, on the right just after 144 Pulpit Road
Learn more about the geology of the property.
TRAILS
Kennard Trail: (white) easy .6 mile
Landry Trail: (blue)
Gott Trail: (yellow) difficult
Scouting Way: (purple) easy
Campbell Trail: (red) easy
Ravine Trail: (orange) difficult .6 mile to Mill Site
Gage’s Mill Trail: (yellow) moderate
Tufts Trail: (white) easy .6 miles from Pulpit to Gage sawmill site
Martin Trail: (yellow) easy
Pulpit Brook Trail: (white) easy to Joppa Hill Farm
Download Pulpit Rock Trail Map
Download Joppa Hill to Pulpit Rock Connection Map
Help us preserve the land.
- Passive recreation allowed (hiking, xc skiing)
- Dogs must be kept on leash
- Stay on designated trail
- No wheeled vehicles
- No hunting
- No camping without Bedford Police approval
- No fires
Still have questions about allowed uses? This property is owned by the Town of Bedford: give the Town's Planning & Zoning Department a call at (603) 472-5243
History:
The Pulpit was formed some 14,000 years ago by glacial runoff, according to geologist Richard Moore. Melt water containing swirling boulders and other sediment wore through the bedrock and produced a plunge basin and significant ledge resembling a church pulpit – now called Pulpit Rock. In the early 20th century the Pulpit was a privately owned tourist attraction. A carriage road brought visitors for sightseeing excursions. Picnics and dancing took placed at a pavilion near the Pulpit. A staircase and boardwalks allowed visitors to inspect the unique rock formation. All the man-made improvements were reportedly destroyed by the Hurricane of 1938.
In 1965 the newly formed Bedford Conservation Commission outlined goals for the protection and utilization of the Pulpit Rock area, and on March 8, 1982 the town acquired 143.6 acres of land there. Since that time additional land has been added through purchase or donation making this conservation land now 338 acres in size.
On May 21, 2013 after more than two years of complicated title research and easement drafting, especially on the part of past BLT Chairs Bob Jones and Ruth Tolf-Ansell, BLT Attorney John Monson, members of the Bedford Conservation Commission, the Pulpit Rock Subcommittee and Town Planner Karin Elmer, the town granted a conservation easement on the Pulpit Rock Conservation Land to the Bedford Land Trust which will ensure that this land is preserved in perpetuity.
While restrictions already exist against future development in various deeds connected to the area, the conservation easement now held by the BLT will act as an overlay, giving a uniform and consistent layer of protection for the land that is enjoyed by so many for various recreational purposes, such as hiking and snowshoeing. Under the terms of the easement, the BLT will monitor the property boundaries to be sure that the property remains protected from development and encroachment. The maintenance, improvements, and day-to-day monitoring of the trails will continue to be done by members of the Conservation Commission's Pulpit Rock Conservation Subcommittee, also a group of volunteers.
Originally protected by the Bedford Land Trust and conveyed to PLC on January 1, 2020. The property is owned by the Town of Bedford, subject to a conservation easement held by PLC.
-The top text and the history text were compiled by Rita Carroll, using excerpts from articles written by Jeanene Procopis, Ruth Ansell and the Union Leader.
Photos By: Brian Nolen
