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Places We Protect

Garland Pond Preserve

New Hampshire

A person in a green vest fly-fishing in a pond.
Garland Pond Fly fishing at Garland Pond. © Rebecca Laflam

Take out your canoe or kayak to enjoy one of New Hampshire’s rarest gems—a completely undeveloped pond teeming with life.

Overview

Description

Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Wingate Shores Preserve at Garland Pond offers a rare glimpse of an undeveloped shoreline in a landscape often dominated by summer homes and resorts. Located in Moultonborough, this 182-acre preserve protects one of the last remaining ponds in the area without shoreline development.

Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Red Hill and the Sandwich Mountain Range while exploring a landscape alive with wildlife. Moose, deer, river otters and beavers roam the surrounding woods, while the pond itself hosts American black ducks and the elusive American bittern. In spring, vernal pools teem with amphibians, and the rare water marigold blooms along the water’s edge, adding to the preserve’s ecological significance and its allure for paddlers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Want even more to explore? The Wingate Shores Preserve is nearly adjacent to the 531-acre Sheridan Woods Preserve, which is owned and managed by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Garland Pond is best explored by canoe or kayak. There are no trails at the preserve.

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily.

Highlights

Visitors can enjoy a scenic 120-acre pond with no development along the shoreline together with panoramic views of the Sandwich Mountain Range.

Size

182 acres

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Photos from Garland Pond Preserve

While the preserve is lovely to visit in any season, the spring migration in May and June is especially exciting, when it becomes a haven for birds like warblers and thrushes.

An American bittern sits in a bed of reeds.
A river otter poking his head out of the water.
Three people cross a frozen pond with mountains in the background.
A brown and white bird singing in a tree.
A man walking down a dirt path in the woods.
An American bittern sits in a bed of reeds.

Camouflaged Bittern: An American bittern blends in among the reeds. © Christine Haines/TNC Photo Contest 2019

A river otter poking his head out of the water.

River Otter: These curious creatures are frequent fliers at Garland Pond Preserve. © Geoff Dennis

Three people cross a frozen pond with mountains in the background.

Across the Ice: Visitors cross the ice on Garland Pond in Moultonboro, New Hampshire. © Jeff Lougee/TNC

A brown and white bird singing in a tree.

Wood Thrush: In spring, Garland Pond Preserve comes alive with thrushes, warblers and many other birds. © Jason Major

A man walking down a dirt path in the woods.

Woods Walk: A visitor walks the woods road at Garland Pond Preserve. © Rebecca Laflam/TNC

Visit

    • Scenic Shoreline: Enjoy views of Garland Pond framed by Red Hill and the Sandwich Mountain Range.
    • Wildlife: Look for moose, deer, river otters, beavers and American black ducks. Birdwatchers may spot warblers, thrushes and the elusive American bittern.
    • Unique Plants: Keep an eye out for the rare water marigold along the pond’s edge.
    • Seasonal Highlights: In spring, vernal pools host wood frogs and spotted salamanders.

  • There are no formal hiking trails, but visitors can explore a woods road that extends past the parking area along the pond’s edge. This informal path offers opportunities for quiet walks and wildlife observation.

  • Garland Pond Preserve is best explored by canoe or kayak. A put-in is located just beyond the preserve’s parking area. You will be required to portage your boat from the parking area to the put-in; there is no vehicle access.

    • Parking: A small parking area is located on Garland Pond Road. Pull down what looks like a dirt driveway to access it.
    • Hours: Open dawn to dusk, year-round.
    • Seasonal tips: Bring binoculars for birdwatching and wear sturdy footwear for shoreline exploration.
    • Pets: Dogs are allowed but must be leashed at all times.

  • To minimize disturbance of the wildlife and habitat of this nature preserve and to support the enjoyment of all visitors, please follow these guidelines:

    • Leave No Trace—please keep the preserve clean by carrying out your trash.
    • Respect the natural world around you! Do not remove or destroy plants, wildlife, minerals, rocks or cultural items.
    • No camping or open fires allowed.
    • Hunting is allowed in parts of the preserve. Please obey all posted signs and contact the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department for dates and regulations.
    • Keep pets leashed to avoid disturbance to birds, other wildlife and preserve visitors.
A pond with green and yellow trees surrounding it.
Garland Pond Preserve Garland Pond is striking in any season. © Daryl Burtnett/TNC

History

A Legacy of Stewardship

The protection of Garland Pond is the result of a vision that began in 1950, when Richard Foster, Sr. acquired land here to safeguard its natural character. Over nearly five decades, he expanded his holdings and encouraged neighbors to conserve their properties, ensuring that most of the shoreline remained undeveloped. In 1999, his family honored that vision by donating 182 acres to The Nature Conservancy, creating the Wingate Shores Preserve at Garland Pond (or, as we lovingly call it, the Garland Pond Preserve). Today, thanks to this legacy, nearly the entire shoreline of Garland Pond is protected, preserving its peace, wildlife and scenic beauty for generations to come.

Nearby Preserves

Need more nature? Visit The Nature Conservancy's other preserves.

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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