Transit to Trails: 2024 Program
An innovative partnership gives city dwellers access to nearby outdoor adventures throughout summer.
Transit to Trails Is Back for the 2024 Season!
With funding from The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, Manchester Transit Authority, NH Audubon and NH State Parks are partnering once again to host Transit to Trails, a program providing transportation to walking and hiking trails, state parks and water destinations to Manchester residents. This year Transit to Trails will be $5 per rider.
Transit to Trails is a seasonal service that will operate on specific Saturdays of each month from June through September of this year. Riders can arrive at Veteran’s Memorial Park in downtown Manchester the day of the event, board the bus and be transported to outdoor spaces within 30 minutes of the heart of the city.
Program Overview
When: Buses will depart the Manchester Transit Authority Information Center at Veteran’s Memorial Park (775 Elm Street, Manchester) at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Buses will pick up from the outdoor locations at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and return passengers to Veteran’s Park.
Cost: To make Transit to Trails as accessible as possible, the program is $5 for each passenger this year! Note that there is no pre-registration and that passengers will be served on a first come, first served basis.
Who: Transit to Trails is for everyone!
View our FAQ below for more about what to expect, what to bring and more.
June 8 and September 21
NH Audubon Massabesic Center
Overview: Situated on a point of land known as Battery Point on Lake Massabesic in Auburn, the 5,000-square-foot Massabesic Center is located on a historic farm site. It's bordered by 130 acres of rolling fields and forest with woodland wetlands, a pond, streams and marshes. The site has been preserved as a wildlife sanctuary that encompasses a diverse array of upland habitats. There are more than five miles of trails that lead to the scenic lake, and the property is adjacent to thousands of undeveloped acres of Manchester Water Works land. Visitors can also explore the extensive gardens, pollinator gardens and bird-friendly spaces on the property. And that's just the outside! The indoor center includes live animals, art exhibits, a gift shop and more.
Amenities:
Outside: 5+ miles of mostly flat, level trails with scenic lake views
Extensive gardens including relaxing benches and picnic tables, pollinator garden bird-friendly spaces, vegetable plots, a rain garden and breathtaking views of the fields and forests.
Wildlife viewing
Photography
Hiking
Picnicking
Inside: Live animal exhibits
Educational exhibits
Binocular rentals
Gift shop
Accessible bathrooms
Drinking water fountains
Departures from Veteran's Park: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. from 775 Elm Street, downtown Manchester
Pickups from NH Audubon: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (approximately 17 minutes to Veteran’s Park)
Know Before You Go: Take a virtual tour of the center! Binoculars are available for rent ($5 each for non-members, free for members). People who use wheelchairs for mobility will need all-terrain designs to effectively traverse the fields and trails due to soft, uneven terrain. A short, compacted gravel path navigating the Garden for the Senses exists around the perimeter of the building. Paved roadside routes exist but have a moderate incline. Dogs, equestrians and bicycles are not permitted on the property. Please remember that Lake Massabesic is a public water supply—swimming is prohibited and punishable by fines.
Website: Explore NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center.
July 20
Pawtuckaway State Park
Overview: Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer and great blue herons may be seen; and a geologically unique field where large boulders called glacial erratics were deposited when glacial ice melted near the end of the Ice Age.
Special Events: Park rangers will be on hand to talk about what makes the park special, answer your questions and more!
Amenities:
Swimming beach
Leaf-peeping
Accessible bathroom facilities
Boat rentals ($20/hour for paddleboards, double kayaks and canoes | $15/hour for single kayaks | $10/hour for kids' kayaks)
Hiking
Biking
Park store featuring sweet treats, floats and more
Wildlife viewing
Ball field
Volleyball net
Horseshoes
Playground
Charcoal grills for cooking
Departures from Veteran's Park: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. from 775 Elm Street, downtown Manchester
Pickups from NH Audubon: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (approximately 30 minutes to Veteran’s Park)
Know Before You Go: Download the Pawtuckaway Trail Map and Pawtuckaway Trail Information Guide.
Website: Explore the official NH State Parks site.
August 17
Bear Brook State Park
Overview: Bear Brook State Park, with more than 10,000 acres, is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire. Located in the southeast region of the state, there is plenty to do and see for everyone. Camping, hiking, biking, archery, swimming and fishing are a few of the outdoor activities you can do at the park. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park, leading to seldom-visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offer a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
Special Events: Park rangers will be on hand to talk about what makes the park special, answer your questions and more!
Amenities:
Swimming beach
Playground
Boat rentals
Picnic tables
Grills
Hiking trails
Fishing
Bathrooms
Beach store selling drinks, snacks, ice cream, floats
Departures from Veteran's Park: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. from 775 Elm Street, downtown Manchester
Pickups from NH Audubon: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (approximately 25 minutes to Veteran’s Park)
Know Before You Go: Download the Bear Brook Trail Map.
Website: Explore the official NH State Parks site.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
June 8: New Hampshire Audubon Massabesic Center
July 20: Pawtuckaway State Park
August 17: Bear Brook State Park
September 21: New Hampshire Audubon Massabesic Center
-
Yes!
June 8: Educators will be at Massabesic to guide your exploration of the nature room and gardens.
July 20: Rangers will be on hand at Pawtuckaway State Park to lead guided walks.
August 17: Rangers will be on hand at Bear Brook State Park to lead guided walks.
September 21: Educators will be at Massabesic to guide your exploration of the nature room and gardens.
-
Of course! Transit to Trails is a family-friendly program. Individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are welcome on the bus and at the trip destinations.
-
Transit to Trails riders can board the bus at the Manchester Transit Authority Information Center at Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at 775 Elm Street in Manchester.
Buses will pick up riders on trip days at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Buses will pick up from the trip locations at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and return passengers to Veteran’s Park.
-
This program is $5 per rider this year!
-
Each destination offers different amenities and things to do. We encourage you to research each location to get a sense of terrain and activities. Good things to have with you include:
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Swimsuit (if swimming is available)
- Flotation devices / life jackets (if boating or not a strong swimmer)
- Sturdy shoes (if hiking)
- Bug spray
- Sports equipment / games
- Charged mobile device / cell phone
- Money for snacks or rentals at locations that have them
- Reusable bag for purchases at the Mobile Market
- Cooler for snacks and drinks (alcohol not permitted)
- Beach chairs / toys
- Reusable bag for purchases at the gift shop
-
While we love animals, they are not allowed on the MTA buses or at the trip locations. Please leave your pooch at home!
-
Yes, the buses used in this year's program can accommodate up to two bicycles per bus. Space is first come, first served.
-
Please note that the following are not allowed on the Transit to Trails buses:
- Smoking
- Animals
- Consuming of alcoholic beverages
- Foul language
- Deadly weapons
-
The Transit to Trails buses are city buses—they do not have bathroom facilities on board.
All trip locations have some sort of bathroom facilities available. They range from full-scale indoor bathrooms to pit-style toilets. Please read up on your desired locations to familiarize yourself with what to expect!
-
The buses are able to accommodate two wheelchairs per bus. So, yes! Individuals of all abilities can take Transit to Trails. Space is first come, first served.
-
All items are held by Manchester Transit Authority for at least seven days. Call them at 603-623-8801 to see if they have your item.
-
The last pickup at each trip location is 3:00 p.m. Please make every attempt to be on time! If you do miss the last bus, don't despair. Call the MTA at 603-623-8801, and they'll dispatch a bus to come pick you up.
The Partners
Transit to Trails is truly a group effort! Meet the 2024 partners.
We Can’t Save Nature Without You
Sign up to receive monthly nature news and updates from New Hampshire. Preview Nature News
More From New Hampshire
Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve
The largest natural area in New Hampshire's most populated city is now home to a universally accessible trail.
Trails for All
A unique trail project in an urban preserve works to remove barriers to nature.
What Happens at a New Hampshire Nature Preserve?
As countries race to protect at least 30% of Earth’s remaining intact ecosystems, see three ways local stewards manage New Hampshire's existing protected areas.