There are plenty of places to explore the outdoors in New Hampshire. From the obvious choices, like Franconia Notch State Park, the White Mountains, and even the beach most of us don’t have to worry about staying entertained this summer. But, if you’re a little more on the adventurous side you may want to check out this abandoned copper mine in New Hampshire. This abandoned mine in New Hampshire located in the woods of Lyman, New Hampshire offers a bit of mystery and even offers an important home to a special nocturnal animal.

For a true New Hampshire adventure, head to the Paddock Mine in Lyman to do some (very careful!) exploring of a former copper mine.

WeRmudfun / YouTube

You’ll still some of the foundations of the original operation. The mine was named after John Paddock who bought much of this land in 1875.

WeRmudfun / YouTube The mine is part of about 1,081 acres that have been preserved by The Trust for Public Land and the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust on Gardner Mountain.

This mine is one of the largest copper mines in the area and the tunnel is accessible to intrepid explorers. If you’re not 100% confident or comfortable in dark enclosed areas, this adventure might just take you to the opening to peer inside.

avasphotos / Flickr

You’ll want to be extremely careful if you do go inside. Always go with someone else, tell people where you’re headed, and how long you’ll be gone. And always wear a headlamp.

WeRmudfun / YouTube

There’s also likely to be water, so make sure you’ve got boots.

WeRmudfun / YouTube

While you can’t go very far down the first shaft, there’s a unique surprise hiding just inside. Brown bats have made their home here and you can see them on your trip through the tunnel. In fact, this is thought to be the second-largest bat cave in the state.

WeRmudfun / YouTube

At one point there may have been upwards of 3,000 bats living in the Paddock mine tunnel.

usfwshq / Flickr While the bat population may be dwindling, this is still a nice place to explore. Be aware that the second shaft is a bit more challenging as it’s not a straight walk through a tunnel. We recommend you skip that and simply poke around the first.

White Nose Syndrome drove down the population of local bats, but conserving this area is important to ensure that these colonies survive.

The area surrounding the mine is also beautiful and it’s open to all non-motorized (legal) activity. So, you won’t be able to take your ATV out here.

We don’t blame you if you choose to explore the abandoned copper mine in New Hampshire through this article rather than your actual feet! To bring it to life even more, check out this wonderful video!

WeRmudfun / YouTube

The mine is part of about 1,081 acres that have been preserved by The Trust for Public Land and the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust on Gardner Mountain.

avasphotos / Flickr

usfwshq / Flickr

While the bat population may be dwindling, this is still a nice place to explore. Be aware that the second shaft is a bit more challenging as it’s not a straight walk through a tunnel. We recommend you skip that and simply poke around the first.

White Nose Syndrome drove down the population of local bats, but conserving this area is important to ensure that these colonies survive.

The area surrounding the mine is also beautiful and it’s open to all non-motorized (legal) activity. So, you won’t be able to take your ATV out here.



And, to learn more about the area take a look at the Trust for Public Land.

For more caves and other unique places to explore check out these abandoned places in New Hampshire.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Coppermine Road, Coppermine Rd, Monroe, NH 03771, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Creepiest Places in New Hampshire January 28, 2023 William Suphan What are the most terrifying places in New Hampshire? The most terrifying places in New Hampshire include:

Country Tavern in Nashua. This farmhouse is said to be haunted by a mother and child who were killed by the husband as the child was not his. The Amos J. Blake House Museum in Fitzwilliam. People report at least 11 ghosts haunting this place and employees report hearing voices and sounds. Lake of the Clouds Hut at Mount Washington. Two hikers died here in 1901 and stories report that there is a presence felt at night. The New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord. Once an insane asylum, patients were severely mistreated and their screams are reportedly heard here.

Discover more about the most terrifying places in New Hampshire. What are the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire? The creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire include:

Isle of Shoals. In 1873, two women were found strangled and a third was hiding. People report encountering the ghosts of the two women. Zealand. This was a logging town in the late 1800s but forest fires devastated the area and now the whole place is abandoned. Old Hill Village. There was a town here that was relocated due to a reservoir being built and the remnants are said to be haunted. Livermore. This was a logging town that was brought down by severe winters and smallpox, and it was abandoned in 1946.

Learn more about the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire.  What are some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire? Some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire include:

Alton Hall in Alton. Locals report hearing doors slamming, moving furniture, and heavy footsteps while alone here. Gilson Cemetery in Gilson. People claim to feel a force pushing them backwards when they walk here and see a hooded figure. The Ocean Born Mary House in Henniker. Mary was born on a ship that pirates captured and the pirates spared her, but they buried treasure here and supposedly haunt her old house. Colonial Threare in Laconia. This theatre is said to have curtains that move by themselves and objects falling of their own accord.

Find out more about these and other little-known haunted places in New Hampshire. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Creepiest Places in New Hampshire

January 28, 2023

William Suphan

What are the most terrifying places in New Hampshire? The most terrifying places in New Hampshire include:

Country Tavern in Nashua. This farmhouse is said to be haunted by a mother and child who were killed by the husband as the child was not his. The Amos J. Blake House Museum in Fitzwilliam. People report at least 11 ghosts haunting this place and employees report hearing voices and sounds. Lake of the Clouds Hut at Mount Washington. Two hikers died here in 1901 and stories report that there is a presence felt at night. The New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord. Once an insane asylum, patients were severely mistreated and their screams are reportedly heard here.

Discover more about the most terrifying places in New Hampshire. What are the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire? The creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire include:

Isle of Shoals. In 1873, two women were found strangled and a third was hiding. People report encountering the ghosts of the two women. Zealand. This was a logging town in the late 1800s but forest fires devastated the area and now the whole place is abandoned. Old Hill Village. There was a town here that was relocated due to a reservoir being built and the remnants are said to be haunted. Livermore. This was a logging town that was brought down by severe winters and smallpox, and it was abandoned in 1946.

Learn more about the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire.  What are some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire? Some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire include:

Alton Hall in Alton. Locals report hearing doors slamming, moving furniture, and heavy footsteps while alone here. Gilson Cemetery in Gilson. People claim to feel a force pushing them backwards when they walk here and see a hooded figure. The Ocean Born Mary House in Henniker. Mary was born on a ship that pirates captured and the pirates spared her, but they buried treasure here and supposedly haunt her old house. Colonial Threare in Laconia. This theatre is said to have curtains that move by themselves and objects falling of their own accord.

Find out more about these and other little-known haunted places in New Hampshire. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The most terrifying places in New Hampshire include:

  • Country Tavern in Nashua. This farmhouse is said to be haunted by a mother and child who were killed by the husband as the child was not his.
  • The Amos J. Blake House Museum in Fitzwilliam. People report at least 11 ghosts haunting this place and employees report hearing voices and sounds.
  • Lake of the Clouds Hut at Mount Washington. Two hikers died here in 1901 and stories report that there is a presence felt at night.
  • The New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord. Once an insane asylum, patients were severely mistreated and their screams are reportedly heard here.

Discover more about the most terrifying places in New Hampshire.

What are the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire?

The creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire include:

  • Isle of Shoals. In 1873, two women were found strangled and a third was hiding. People report encountering the ghosts of the two women.
  • Zealand. This was a logging town in the late 1800s but forest fires devastated the area and now the whole place is abandoned.
  • Old Hill Village. There was a town here that was relocated due to a reservoir being built and the remnants are said to be haunted.
  • Livermore. This was a logging town that was brought down by severe winters and smallpox, and it was abandoned in 1946.

Learn more about the creepiest ghost towns in New Hampshire. 

What are some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire?

Some little-known haunted places in New Hampshire include:

  • Alton Hall in Alton. Locals report hearing doors slamming, moving furniture, and heavy footsteps while alone here.
  • Gilson Cemetery in Gilson. People claim to feel a force pushing them backwards when they walk here and see a hooded figure.
  • The Ocean Born Mary House in Henniker. Mary was born on a ship that pirates captured and the pirates spared her, but they buried treasure here and supposedly haunt her old house.
  • Colonial Threare in Laconia. This theatre is said to have curtains that move by themselves and objects falling of their own accord.

Find out more about these and other little-known haunted places in New Hampshire.