Just across the river, there’s a beautiful park filled with gorgeous flowers.
Rhododendron State Park in Fitzwilliam is a natural stand of Rhododendrons that are in bloom right now.
The park is named after the 16-acre grove of Rhododendron Maximum, which is the focal point of the park. A 0.6 mile-long trail encircles the grove allowing visitors to observe, close up, the fragrant clusters of pink blossoms as they burst into bloom in mid-July.
Other trails, including a special wildflower trail wind through the forest adjacent to the grove.
The rhododendron grove, which is the largest in northern New England, was designated a National Natural
Landmark in 1982.
It’s free on weekdays and $4.00 for adults on weekends
2 ways to get to the park:
—Rt. 9 East to Keene, then Rt. 12 SE thru Troy to Fitzwilliam. Right turn at Rt. 119 in Fitzwilliam. Go about a mile on 119 to Rhododendron Road. Look for sign on the right.
—Rt. 119 thru Hinsdale, Winchester and Richmond. Just short of Fitzwilliam Village 119 makes a 90 degree left turn. Rhododendron Road is about ½ mile on the left. Look for the sign.
The park is about 2 miles down Rhododendron Road
