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Discover the Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary in Dover, New Hampshire
About New Hampshire Audubon
New Hampshire Audubon is an independent, statewide membership organization dedicated to conserving New Hampshire’s natural environment. They operate nature centers throughout the state, offering educational programs for all ages and conducting essential research projects. Their efforts include preserving the state’s biodiversity and monitoring endangered species. Additionally, they manage thousands of acres of wildlife habitat through their sanctuaries program and advocate for sound environmental policies.
For more information about New Hampshire Audubon, including membership, volunteering, programs, and publications, visit their website or contact them at:
New Hampshire Audubon
3 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 224-9909
Email: asnh@nhaudubon.org
Website: www.nhaudubon.org
Exploring the Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem located on the western bank of the Bellamy River, about eight miles from the seacoast. The river is part of the Piscataqua River watershed, which includes Great Bay and the Oyster River. The estuarine system, where freshwater meets saltwater, creates a unique environment that supports a diverse range of coastal and marine life. It’s also an important habitat for migrating, wintering, and breeding birds.
The sanctuary encompasses 26 acres of forest, tidal creeks, and salt marsh coves. The terrain is relatively flat, with silty, moist soils that support a mixed forest dominated by oak, red maple, white pine, shagbark hickory, and black birch.
The original 19 acres of the sanctuary were donated by Mr. and Mrs. G. Allen Huggins of Dover in 1970. In 2003, The Nature Conservancy, as part of the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, added an additional seven acres to the sanctuary.
Trail Information
The Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary offers 1.7 miles of trails for visitors to explore.
- Clements Point Trail (1.1 miles, yellow blazes): This trail starts at the parking area and heads south, crossing private property initially. Please stay on the trail. It features open fields with views of grassland birds and a shady forest canopy dominated by white pine. A footbridge over a small tidal creek offers sightings of raccoon and white-tailed deer tracks. The trail continues through a deciduous forest with red maple, shagbark hickory, black birch, and various oak species.
- Cove Trail (1,250 feet, red blazes): This small loop trail branches off from the Clements Point Trail and follows the shore of a tidal creek, offering views of salt marsh habitat. Look for cattail, smooth cordgrass, and salt-meadow cordgrass, as well as seaweeds like sea lettuce and knotted wrack.
The Clements Point Trail continues to the south, crossing another footbridge and forming a loop that provides views of the intertidal habitat, Royalls Cove, and the Bellamy River.
Visitor Guidelines
The Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary is open year-round during daylight hours. To protect the sanctuary’s wildlife and plant life, please adhere to the following rules:
- Only foot travel is permitted.
- No smoking, swimming, camping, fires, hunting, or trapping.
- Stay on marked trails and do not disturb plants or animals.
- Pets must be kept on a leash.
- Carry out all trash and litter.
- Be prepared for county walking.
Directions
To visit the Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary, from Route 4 in Dover, drive 2.5 miles east of the junction with Route 108 and turn onto Back River Road. After 0.8 miles, turn right onto Bayview Road. At the end of Bayview Road, bear left onto the gravel road and continue through the field to the parking area.
