The Little River Conservation area is a 400± acre area of lands managed by the Exeter Conservation Commission for conservation and recreation purposes. This area is comprised of a mix of Town-owned parcels and privately-owned parcels with Town-held conservation easements.
The conservation area is bisected by the Little River, Dudley and Bloody Brooks, and when combined with the NH Fish and Game-managed Conner Farm wildlife Management Area to the north, creates a large tract of conserved lands extending from Brentwood Road north to Route 101. Beaver, deer, otter and many bird species can be found among the forests, wetlands, marsh and riparian habitat.
The trails include a 1.2 mi. main loop which meanders along the Little River. At the Little River Footbridge, you can connect to Pete’s Path. This 0.75 mi. trail that terminates at a small parking spot at the end of Garrison Lane is named for Peter Richardson, a former Conservation member and advocate for Exeter’s natural environment.
The trails are blazed with white blazes for easier navigating. An unmarked trail network can be found by crossing north over the Old Mill Site crossing, with stone remnants from the former mill, within the Dolloff easement. This easement was protected in the 1990’s by family patriarch and nature-lover, Carroll Dolloff.
This area is open to hunting in season. Visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange for safety.
Visit the Town of Exeter Conservation Commission trail page for more information and a printable map or contact:
The main access is at the field south of the Dolloff’s home at 143 Brentwood Road. After parking and carefully crossing Brentwood Road, the trail starts at the top of their driveway. Parking is also available at the end of Garrison Lane. A small trail right-of-way is accessible between 5 and 8 Dolloff Farm Drive. On the north side of the Little River footbridge, an old woods road on private land will eventually lead to Continental Drive.
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