Nansen Wayside Park

Attractions - The forested area has a number of shade-covered tables situated along the banks of the whitewater river. Pit toilets are available year-round. No entrance fee is charged. This site does have a small boat launch, which provides access to the popular 30.5-mile canoe route that runs between the towns of Errol and Berlin. Stretching between the two towns, there are three segments of rapids and one dam.

Several miles north on Route 110B, travelers will find Milan Hill State Park that offers a hiking trail leading to a fire tower that provides sweeping vistas of the Presidential Range along with views reaching into Maine and even southern Canada. They will also find several primitive campsites, low-lying moose habitat and more coldwater trout streams.

Recreation - Canoeing, fishing and picnicking are the primary activities offered at Nansen Wayside Park. The river is well known for its excellent coldwater game fish. The large resource supports smallmouth bass, salmon, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.

Climate - Winter can be cold with average temperatures ranging around 19 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold temperatures humidity bring heavy, water-laden snow to all parts of the state. Spring begins in mid-March and lasts through May. This time of the year is referred to as mud season in the mountains. The sugar is flowing early in the season and wild flowers bloom toward the end of it. Summer is the busiest season of the year for the tourism industry. This is an excellent time to travel, mountain roads are open and most of the mud has dried. Average summer temperatures range around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall brings the leaf lookers to see the spectacular colors of the deciduous trees. Expect to see bus loads of people enjoying the crisp fall New England weather.

Location - Travel south on SR 16 out of Milan for approximately 2 - 3 miles.