A large black walnut tree towers over the south side of the Center Cemetery. From the stone wall on the west side, the Lily Pond Trail, marked with white blazes, follows a stone wall westerly through mixed hemlock-hardwood-pine forest, crossing several bog bridges, passing glacial erratics and climbing about 50 feet to a kettle pond. This forest and the kettle pond are listed in the NH Wildlife Action Plan 2020 as supporting wildlife habitat. Kettle ponds are remnant landforms from late glacial times, formed when a block of ice left by a retreating glacier was buried in sediment and then melted, leaving a depression that subsequently filled with water, creating the pond. The pond can be viewed from two overlooks.
Take the trail straight to the pond to observe a tree-covered island in the marsh while relaxing on a rustic log bench. Or take the trail to the left through an opening in the stone wall near the pond to reach a small peninsula and view the beaver dams. The kettle pond is located where open water is visible. Beaver dams have raised the water surrounding the kettle pond to form a vibrant surrounding marsh where many types of waterfowl may be observed and great blue herons are known to nest. The main beaver dam uses an 18th century stone wall as its core. A heron rookery—a grouping of heron nests—is located to the west of the island. Moose, deer and fox scat are frequently seen along the trail. This is private property; please be respectful.
This trail has occasional rough spots; take care while hiking and pass at your own risk.
For more information, contact:
The trailhead is located on the back side of the Antrim Center Cemetery off of NH-31, 400 feet south of Old Pound Road. From US-9, take NH-31 1.8 miles south, or from the US-202/NH-31 split in Antrim village, take NH-31 north 2.5 miles. Park along Old Pound Road. Walk south along NH-31 to the first driveway on the right and cross the private yard to access the Center Cemetery. Enter through the gate and walk straight across to an opening in the stone wall at the back to the stairs at the trailhead, marked by a mailbox containing trail maps and other pertinent information.
Much of this trail passes through private property; please respect the privilege of using this land.
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