Mount Major is one of the most popular hiking destinations in New Hampshire, offering stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee and drawing outdoor enthusiasts from across the region year-round. As visitation has grown, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) conducted a Visitor Use Management Study to better understand the experiences, needs, and preferences of those who enjoy this iconic mountain.
In partnership with Outdoor Research Insights, LLC, a New Hampshire-based research and consulting company, the Forest Society conducted a visitor use survey at the Mount Major trailhead from summer through fall 2025. Trained field researchers invited visitors who had just completed a hike or recreational activity on Mount Major to participate in a 10-minute survey about their experience.
The study was designed to help inform the Forest Society’s ongoing management of Mount Major and guide future investments in the visitor experience.
Why did we conduct a visitor use survey at Mount Major?
The Forest Society has made a number of recreational infrastructure improvements at Mount Major in recent years, including year-round portable toilets, a shade pavilion and information kiosk, a volunteer trailhead outreach program, and a half-mile sustainable reroute of the Main Trail.
As we continue working to improve the visitor experience, we wanted to hear directly from visitors about what is working, where challenges remain, and what they would like to see in the future. The goals of the survey were to:
- Improve the quality of visitor experiences at Mount Major
- Better understand crowding and environmental issues
- Guide future communication, recreational infrastructure, and investment priorities
- Understand visitor preferences regarding potential future management actions
- Promote a more welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable recreation environment
Click here to learn more about the Forest Society, our mission, and conservation work, and here to learn more about our work on Mount Major and how you can get involved.
How was the survey conducted?
From June through November 2025, trained field researchers were stationed periodically at the Mount Major trailhead on Route 11. Survey days included a variety of weekdays, weekends, and times of day to capture a representative sample of visitors.
Researchers approached people after they had completed their hikes so they could share feedback while their experience was still fresh. The survey took approximately 10 minutes to complete using either a provided tablet or the participant’s own mobile device. Participation was completely optional, and all responses were confidential and anonymous.
Who participated?
The survey welcomed feedback from all types of Mount Major visitors, from frequent local hikers to people experiencing the mountain for the first time. Their input provided valuable insight into how people use and experience Mount Major and what they value about the property. In total, more than 550 visitors to Mount Major completed the survey in 2025.
What happens with the survey results?
Following the completion of data collection in November 2025, Outdoor Research Insights, LLC compiled and analyzed the survey responses. The findings will help the Forest Society better understand visitor experiences at Mount Major and inform future decisions about recreation management, communications, infrastructure, and stewardship of this beloved landscape.
When do you expect to have results from the survey?
Who can I contact with questions about the Mount Major survey?
Questions about the Mount Major visitor use study can be directed to Carrie Deegan, Vice President for Recreation Management & Public Engagement. She can be reached via email at cdeegan@forestsociety.org or phone 603-545-2992.
