Mount Monadnock
Jaffrey, NH
A lone bare-topped mountain in southern New Hampshire that rises well above the surrounding hills and is popular with hikers. Several trails lead from the state park headquarters to the open summit; start early and bring water.
Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire is 3,170 feet (970 m) high and rises about 2,130 feet (650 m) above its surroundings. It is made of schist and quartzite roughly 400 million years old. The summit is bare because early settlers set fires there. Ralph Waldo Emerson dedicated a poem to the mountain, and Henry David Thoreau climbed it four times between 1844 and 1860.
The mountain lies within Monadnock State Park, about 1,000 acres (roughly 400 ha), and draws some 125,000 hikers a year. The White Arrow Trail (2.3 miles / 3.7 km) is considered the easiest route to the summit. The mountain is also the northern end of the 110-mile (about 177 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. Allow half a day for the round trip. Start early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds, and bring plenty of water.
- Nearest town
- Jaffrey, NH
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.8610, -72.1090
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Mt Monadnock State Park CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Mount Monadnock
- Camp WanocksettCampsite3 mi from Mount MonadnockShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Spacious Skies Campgrounds - Seven MaplesCampsite11 mi from Mount Monadnock
- Tully Lake CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Mount Monadnock
- Fox Brook Tent SiteCampsite18 mi from Mount MonadnockTents
- Field & Stream RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Mount MonadnockMotorhomes
All campsites in New Hampshire · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mount Monadnock?
Mount Monadnock is in Jaffrey, NH, at GPS 42.8610, -72.1090. It is about 31 mi from Greenfield.
Can you camp near Mount Monadnock?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mt Monadnock State Park Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 22 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Mount Monadnock?
Places worth a stop nearby: Grafton Village (35 mi), Bridge of Flowers (37 mi), Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge (45 mi) and Canterbury Shaker Village (47 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mount Monadnock?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)