There’s no better way to enjoy some fresh air than by heading off on a fun hike. This state is great for exploring; whether it’s the woods or the coast or even an abandoned zoo in NH. While it’s certainly creepy, we also think it’s pretty lovely for hiking in NH!

Welcome to Benson Park, located in Hudson, New Hampshire!

Benson’s Wild Animal Farm / Facebook

The area is absolutely beautiful and the park was once the site of Benson’s Wild Animal Farm. In operation from 1927 to 1987, this privately run NH zoo and amusement park was a fun place to enjoy a day.

JameRetief / TripAdvisor

After closing in 1987, the park sat unused and became more like ruins in NH.

Kelly Gaudet / alltrails.com

Today, the area is comprised of 165.8 acres open for recreational use and hiking in NH.

Tom OLoughlin / alltrails.com

The Benson Park Hiking Trail located within the park is a great way to explore the abandoned zoo in NH.

Kelly Gaudet / alltrails.com

The 3.3-mile loop offers access to lakes, forest, and lots of wildlife.

Peanut 🙂 / alltrails.com

But there’s still a presence of the former NH zoo.

NHORNurse / TripAdvisor

Structures that were once used as animal enclosures can still be explored.

Rosemary M / TripAdvisor

Visitors can even go inside the abandoned zoo in NH’s gorilla house.

Amanda McDormand / alltrails.com

The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe area is fun to see.

Mike Ryder / alltrails.com

While it is creepy to see anything that’s been abandoned, these ruins in NH are a fun place to enjoy for some time outside!

Benson’s Wild Animal Farm / Facebook

Visit the website to learn more about Benson Park and the abandoned zoo in NH.

Benson’s Wild Animal Farm / Facebook

JameRetief / TripAdvisor

Kelly Gaudet / alltrails.com

Tom OLoughlin / alltrails.com

Peanut 🙂 / alltrails.com

NHORNurse / TripAdvisor

Rosemary M / TripAdvisor

Amanda McDormand / alltrails.com

Mike Ryder / alltrails.com

Have you ever seen these ruins in NH? Where is your favorite hiking in NH? Tell us in the comments!

If parks are your thing, be sure to check out these under-appreciated state parks in New Hampshire.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Rd, Hudson, NH 03051, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Haunted New Hampshire January 28, 2023 Rachel Raimondi What are the creepiest towns in New Hampshire? There are plenty of creepy towns in New Hampshire. Here a just a few:

Livermore: Located within the White Mountains National Forest, this town was popular for logging in the late part of the 19th century, but due to the harsh life of living in this area of New Hampshire, it was abandoned by the mid-1940s. But did some of those loggers stay there? Monson Center: This area in Hillsborough County goes all the way to the 1700s. Although empty by the 1770s, you can still find ruins within the woods. And hopefully, that is all you’ll find.

Are there any urban legends in New Hampshire? If you are looking to learn about some spooky tales, there are quite a few urban legends in New Hampshire: 

Smuttynose Murders: Back in 1873, two women were murdered in Smuttynose. A German fisherman was convicted of the crime and hung two years later, but it is widely believed that he was not the culprit. America’s Stonehenge: This oddity is located in Salem. It was built over 4000 years ago and consists of monoliths, chambers, and rock walls that mark important dates and are associated with the astronomical calendar. Its actual origins remain in speculation.

Are there any haunted hotels in New Hampshire? If you want to take your spooky explorations up a notch, consider staying the night in a haunted hotel in New Hampshire:

Christmas Farm Inn & Spa: This hotel is located in Jackson and contains some buildings that go back to the 1770s. It is considered to be so haunted that it even made an episode of Ghost Hunters. The Tilton Inn: This structure was built in 1875 and since then, has seen many well-known guests, such as Henry Ford. It’s also burned down three times, which might be an indication of just who is haunting the premises. Three Chimney’s Inn: Located in Durham, this building goes all the way back to 1649, making it one of the oldest in all of the state. It is widely believed that it is also very haunted, namely by the daughter of its original owner. The Windham Restaurant: Grab a surf and turf with a side of hauntings at this American restaurant. It was originally a home when it was built in 1812 and today there are reports of table settings moving and money disappearing.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Haunted New Hampshire

January 28, 2023

Rachel Raimondi

What are the creepiest towns in New Hampshire? There are plenty of creepy towns in New Hampshire. Here a just a few:

Livermore: Located within the White Mountains National Forest, this town was popular for logging in the late part of the 19th century, but due to the harsh life of living in this area of New Hampshire, it was abandoned by the mid-1940s. But did some of those loggers stay there? Monson Center: This area in Hillsborough County goes all the way to the 1700s. Although empty by the 1770s, you can still find ruins within the woods. And hopefully, that is all you’ll find.

Are there any urban legends in New Hampshire? If you are looking to learn about some spooky tales, there are quite a few urban legends in New Hampshire: 

Smuttynose Murders: Back in 1873, two women were murdered in Smuttynose. A German fisherman was convicted of the crime and hung two years later, but it is widely believed that he was not the culprit. America’s Stonehenge: This oddity is located in Salem. It was built over 4000 years ago and consists of monoliths, chambers, and rock walls that mark important dates and are associated with the astronomical calendar. Its actual origins remain in speculation.

Are there any haunted hotels in New Hampshire? If you want to take your spooky explorations up a notch, consider staying the night in a haunted hotel in New Hampshire:

Christmas Farm Inn & Spa: This hotel is located in Jackson and contains some buildings that go back to the 1770s. It is considered to be so haunted that it even made an episode of Ghost Hunters. The Tilton Inn: This structure was built in 1875 and since then, has seen many well-known guests, such as Henry Ford. It’s also burned down three times, which might be an indication of just who is haunting the premises. Three Chimney’s Inn: Located in Durham, this building goes all the way back to 1649, making it one of the oldest in all of the state. It is widely believed that it is also very haunted, namely by the daughter of its original owner. The Windham Restaurant: Grab a surf and turf with a side of hauntings at this American restaurant. It was originally a home when it was built in 1812 and today there are reports of table settings moving and money disappearing.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are plenty of creepy towns in New Hampshire. Here a just a few:

  • Livermore: Located within the White Mountains National Forest, this town was popular for logging in the late part of the 19th century, but due to the harsh life of living in this area of New Hampshire, it was abandoned by the mid-1940s. But did some of those loggers stay there?
  • Monson Center: This area in Hillsborough County goes all the way to the 1700s. Although empty by the 1770s, you can still find ruins within the woods. And hopefully, that is all you’ll find.

Are there any urban legends in New Hampshire?

If you are looking to learn about some spooky tales, there are quite a few urban legends in New Hampshire: 

  • Smuttynose Murders: Back in 1873, two women were murdered in Smuttynose. A German fisherman was convicted of the crime and hung two years later, but it is widely believed that he was not the culprit.
  • America’s Stonehenge: This oddity is located in Salem. It was built over 4000 years ago and consists of monoliths, chambers, and rock walls that mark important dates and are associated with the astronomical calendar. Its actual origins remain in speculation.

Are there any haunted hotels in New Hampshire?

If you want to take your spooky explorations up a notch, consider staying the night in a haunted hotel in New Hampshire:

  • Christmas Farm Inn & Spa: This hotel is located in Jackson and contains some buildings that go back to the 1770s. It is considered to be so haunted that it even made an episode of Ghost Hunters.
  • The Tilton Inn: This structure was built in 1875 and since then, has seen many well-known guests, such as Henry Ford. It’s also burned down three times, which might be an indication of just who is haunting the premises.
  • Three Chimney’s Inn: Located in Durham, this building goes all the way back to 1649, making it one of the oldest in all of the state. It is widely believed that it is also very haunted, namely by the daughter of its original owner.
  • The Windham Restaurant: Grab a surf and turf with a side of hauntings at this American restaurant. It was originally a home when it was built in 1812 and today there are reports of table settings moving and money disappearing.