In 1789, to encourage the the college’s development, the State of New Hampshire gave to Dartmouth College a grant of land in Clarksville, New Hampshire. Most of the land of this First College Grant was sold quickly to raise funds to keep the young college in operation. In the following years, the trustees of Dartmouth periodically petitioned for an additional grant of north country land.
By act of the New Hampshire legislature in 1807, Dartmouth acquired the Second College Grant, a township of nearly 27,000 acres. For generations now, Grant-lovers have been grateful that Dartmouth has managed to hold onto this wild, rugged piece of the New Hampshire north country.
The Dead Diamond River enters the Grant from the north and twists down perhaps ten miles to join the Swift Diamond coming in from the west. Below the junction of the two rivers near the Diamond Peaks, the Diamond River plunges down through a deep gorge and then flows into the Magalloway River at the southeast corner of the township, next to the Maine border.
Dartmouth uses the Grant for timber production and recreational purposes. Locked gates control vehicle entries into the Grant, though foot travelers are welcome at any time. Arrangements for vehicle access is restricted to Dartmouth-affiliated visitors and their guests. Overnight camping and open fires are prohibited.
For the use of its members, the Dartmouth Outing Club maintains three rental cabins in the Grant: Peaks, Alder Brook, and Stoddard. The Office of Outdoor Programs maintains eight more for the use of Dartmouth-affiliated individuals and their guests: the Management Center, Sam’s, Johnson Brook, Merrill Brook, Hellgate Hilton, Pete Blodgett Cabin, Hellgate Gorge, and Gate Camp. To learn current rental policies and to make reservations for the cabins in the Grant call (603) 646-1602 or email, cabin.reservations@dartmouth.edu.
Day Use
Each eligible pass holder will be given one vehicle permit and may have three guests in that vehicle. These passes are valid for up to two days per week, from sun-up until sundown, any days of the week including weekends. No more than 3 passes will be issued per day. Access will be through the Main Gate only. Passes are not issued from October 1-November 28.
To make arrangements to obtain a gate code and vehicle permit, please contact
Kevin Evans, College Forester
603-449-2049/office or 603-359-1534/cell
Kevin.S.Evans@Dartmouth.edu
Pass pick-up and drop off will take place at the Woodlands Office, 731 Milan Road, Milan, NH and must be pre-arranged with Kevin.
Please note that the Woodland’s office is not staffed 24/7 or consistently as we are usually at the Grant, where cell phones don’t work.
Directions
FROM HANOVER
From the Green, go west on West Wheelock Street, cross the Ledyard Bridge and take I-91 North.
After 54 miles, get off at Exit 19 (onto I-93) and almost immediately get off I-93 at Exit 1 and turn LEFT on Route 18.
After one mile, turn RIGHT on Route 2 East.
After 23.7 miles, turn LEFT on Route 3 North.
After 8.9 miles, turn RIGHT onto Route 110 East.
After 13.7 miles, turn LEFT onto Route 110A East.
After 3.8 miles, turn LEFT onto Route 16 North.
After 30 miles (passing through the town of Errol) turn LEFT just before the Wentworth Location Cemetery.
After one-quarter mile, unlock gate and re-lock behind you (under no circumstances leave the gate unlocked!). Maximum speed in the Grant at all times is 25 MPH.
ALTERNATIVELY…
For a more leisurely route, exit from I-91 at Wells River and stay on route 302 East along the Ammonoosuc River through the towns of Bath and Lisbon to Littleton. Route 302 turns right at a stop light in Littleton. Follow Route 302 to Twin Mountain, turn left onto Route 3 and drive about 1 mile to the junction with Route 115. Turn right onto Route 115 and proceed to its junction with Route 2. Take a right on Route 2, to its junction in Gorham with Route 16, and follow Route 16 North through the paper mill town of Berlin up to the Grant access road in Wentworth’s Location.
Last-minute food purchases may be made at supermarkets in Groveton or in Gorham and Berlin, as well as in smaller stores in Errol and Wentworth’s Location.
