Visiting the Hawk Watch

Plan Your Visit

Visitors are most welcome at the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory! Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip:

Dates & Timing

Weather permitting, the Observatory is staffed every day from Sept. 1 through Nov. 20. Peak hawk migration runs from mid-September through mid-October, but raptors move through in the early- and late-season as well. The migration is most pronounced on northwest winds, especially on the several days following the passage of a cold front.

Location & Parking

The Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory is located within Miller State Park, near the summit of Pack Monadnock Mountain in Peterborough, NH.  Access is via Miller Park Road, off Route 101. The closest parking is the small lot at the summit of Pack Monadnock (0.2 miles from the Observatory platform), though this lot fills quickly on weekends and during peak season. Visitors can also park in the large lot at the base of the mountain, and hike to the summit via the Auto Road (1.3 miles one-way), the Marion Davis Trail (1.4 miles one-way), or the Wapack Trail (approx. 1.6 miles one-way).

New: Visitors hoping to view the migration from Pack Monadnock should be aware that an online reservation system is now in place for Miller State Park, and that advance day-use reservations are strongly recommended for all visitors. For more information on fees and reservations, please visit the Miller State Park website.

Groups

Reservations are required for large groups and/or school groups. If you’d like to bring a group to the Observatory, please contact Miller State Park in advance at (603) 924-3672.

Accessibility Info

There are two accessible parking spaces in the summit parking lot, along with two accessible bathrooms. The trail to the Observatory platform from the summit lot is 0.2 mile long, with a gravel surface and several sections of steep grade.