Miller State Park

New Hampshire’s First State Park — A Summit With 135 Years of History

Miller State Park, established in 1891, is the oldest state park in New Hampshire and one of the first in the nation. Perched on Pack Monadnock (2,290 feet) in the Monadnock Highlands of southern New Hampshire, the park was named for General James Miller, a War of 1812 hero whose rallying cry — “I’ll try, sir” — became a New Hampshire motto.

The summit features a renovated fire tower with panoramic views stretching from Mount Monadnock to the west, across the White Mountains to the north, into Vermont’s Green Mountains, and on clear days, to the skyscrapers of Boston 60+ miles to the southeast. Since 2005, the summit has also served as the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory — one of the most productive hawk-watching sites in northern New England, where thousands of migrating raptors are documented each fall.

Things to Do

Hiking

Three trails ascend Pack Monadnock from the base, each offering a different character. The Wapack Trail — a well-known 21-mile footpath — traverses the summit, connecting Miller State Park to the broader Wapack Range. All three summit trails are moderate in difficulty and take 1–2 hours to ascend.

Scenic Auto Road

A 1.3-mile paved auto road winds to the summit parking area — providing wheelchair-accessible summit views without hiking. The road is open seasonally from late spring through early November. Day-use reservations are encouraged, especially on fall weekends, as parking is limited.

Raptor Migration & Hawk Watch

The Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory operates daily from September 1 through November 20. Trained volunteers count thousands of migrating raptors each season, including Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Goshawks, Peregrine Falcons, Ospreys, and Bald Eagles. Peak migration typically occurs in mid-September (Broad-wings) and October (accipiters and falcons). Visitors are welcome to observe and learn alongside the counters.

Trails

Camping

No camping is available at Miller State Park — this is a day-use park only. For camping in the Monadnock region, consider Monadnock State Park (approximately 15 miles west), which offers tent sites near the base of Mount Monadnock.

Best Time to Visit

Visitor Tips

• Hawk watch timing: For the most spectacular raptor migration, visit in mid-September when Broad-winged Hawks funnel through in kettles of hundreds. October brings accipiters and falcons for closer views.
• Parking reservations: Day-use parking reservations are encouraged on weekends and holidays — the summit parking area is small and fills early, especially during fall foliage.
• Auto road shortcut: For those who want summit views without hiking, drive the 1.3-mile auto road to the top. The summit area and fire tower are accessible from the parking lot.
• Boston skyline: On the clearest days (often after a cold front passes), the Boston skyline is visible from the fire tower — 60+ miles to the southeast. Bring binoculars.
• Wapack Trail: Experienced hikers can use Miller as a starting point for the 21-mile Wapack Trail along the ridge to North Pack and Watatic — one of southern New Hampshire’s finest ridge walks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wildlife & Nature

Miller State Park — on Pack Monadnock Mountain (2,290 ft) in Peterborough — is New Hampshire’s oldest state park (established 1891). The summit — accessible by a 1.3-mile auto road or hiking trails — provides views of Mount Monadnock, the Wapack Range, and on clear days, the Boston skyline 60+ miles southeast. The park is a major hawk migration watch site — thousands of broad-winged hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and Cooper’s hawks pass over in September. Peregrine falcons migrate through.

Nearby Attractions

Peterborough — 3 miles west — inspired Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and has the Peterborough Players theater. Mount Monadnock — 15 miles southwest — is the most-climbed mountain in North America. Wapack Trail continues north along the ridgeline. Sharon Arts Center — in Peterborough — has New Hampshire art.

Last updated: April 2026