Shelburne Riverlands
Description
The 880-acre Shelburne Riverlands includes nine mainland parcels and more than thirty islands. It extends over an 8.7-mile stretch on some of the least developed Androscoggin River shoreline.
The 880-acre Shelburne Riverlands includes nine mainland parcels and more than thirty islands. It extends over an 8.7-mile stretch on some of the least developed Androscoggin River shoreline.
The islands and many of the mainland parcels are primarily managed to protect the natural beauty and wildlife. However, a three-mile network of hiking trails developed by MLT and Shelburne Trails Club allow for deep exploration of the Riverlands while minimizing disruptive impacts on wildlife.
Special Features
The Riverland’s 14 miles of forested river shoreline and 4 miles of stream shoreline provide critical travel corridors that are important to a number of species. The surrounding forest offers cover habitat for species such as white-tailed deer, bear, and moose, moving between the White Mountain National Forest and the large forest blocks of the Mahoosuc Mountain Range to the north.
The shorelines, stream channels, and wetlands also provide significant habitat for waterfowl including kingfishers, mergansers, great blue heron, and Canada geese. Common loons can be found on the impoundment above the Shelburne Dam. Bald eagles have successfully raised their young along the Riverlands islands and shoreline during the past two decades and are often seen flying over this stretch of the river. River otters also make their home on the river and its many channels, with the river quality now rated Class B.
How To Get There
From Bethel, head west on US-2, turn right on Meadow Road past the Shelburne Village, cross the river and then turn right on North Road. The parking lot is on the right approximately two miles east of Meadow Road and is marked by an MLT yardarm sign. Visitors coming from New Hampshire on US-2 can access North Road from either Meadow Road or the western North Road junction.
The parking lot was designed for only four vehicles and is plowed in the winter at the end of a storm. Parking along the road is not permitted. The trailhead is reached via a short walk on a woods road from the parking lot.
How This Place Became Open To the Public
After a successful one-year campaign, MLT acquired the Shelburne Riverlands from Bayroot, LLC, a landholding company, in 2021. The project was initiated by a request from the Town of Shelburne with support from The Conservation Fund, the NH Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund and NH Land & Community Heritage Investment Program. The Shelburne Trails Club maintains the trails.
