Bear Brook State Park, with over 10,000 acres, is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park lead to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offering a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Trail difficulty varies from easy to difficult. There are over 40 different trails within the park with difficulty ranging from beginner to expert-level hikes. For example, the Bear Brook Trail is a beautiful trail that follows the park’s namesake, stays well shaded, and is excellent for those enjoying running water sounds and brook trout. The Catamount Trail is fairly steep and rocky, providing access to one of the best open lookouts in the park. Most trails are loop or multi-trail combinations rather than simple out-and-back routes. A popular combined route is 4.1 miles long with 305 feet of elevation gain. The park’s scenery is characterized byforests, marshes and ponds, withcreekside views and viewpointsalong various trails. Archery Pond is a favorite spot for fly-fishing enthusiasts, and Bear Brook Lake has a roped-off swimming beach with a lifeguard on duty during the summer months. Beyond hiking, amenities include camp sites, a picnic area, a swimming pond, fishing pond, archery range, camp store, and canoe rentals.