HomeNew HampshireConway › Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead

Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 124 Google reviews · Running trail in Conway, New Hampshire · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceOpen 24hScenicTrailhead parking

Popular hiking area where visitors can gather quartz crystals and other specimens.

What runners say about Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (124 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“It was a beautiful, scenic drive through the white mountains.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Pretty easy walk; there are a couple areas where it dips down into dried up rocky stream beds, so just take note if you have mobility issues.”

I had heard about this collecting site from various rockhounding facebook groups and finally decided to take the 3-hour journey. Totally worth it! It was a beautiful, scenic drive through the white mountains.

★★★★★ — Tiffany , Oct 2022

A great place for a beautiful hike. This trail can easily be taken by children. Don't forget your permit to gather, it's free, and you get it right at the site. Bring your own bucket or bag for what you collect. We brought rock hammers and stuff, but there's a lot loose you can find as well.

★★★★★ — Ashley , Jul 2023

Nice walk, about 2 miles round trip. Relatively easy trail although there are a couple of spots that you will need to slow down on to get through safely. Could be a need to cross over water at certain times of the year. The mineral site itself wasn't that impressive on its own.

★★★★☆ — Ralph , Oct 2018

Very nice, local to NoCo, place to hike. One of NH's hidden gems. Multiple ways to enjoy these trails too... Digging, hiking, waterfall bagging! Not too far from Thompson Falls though the switchbacks en route were a bit arduous. I strongly suggest doing your research before trying to find Thompson Falls.

★★★★☆ — Robert , Aug 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 124 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“It was a beautiful, scenic drive through the white mountains.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Keep your eyes out for lady slippers in the forest too :) Don't forget to register at the trailhead, it's free and helps to see how many people are coming through.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Pretty easy walk; there are a couple areas where it dips down into dried up rocky stream beds, so just take note if you have mobility issues.”

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Plan your run at Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitefs.usda.gov
  • Phone+1 603-447-5448
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead

High St, Conway, NH 03818

Get directions

Running trails near Conway

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

South Moat Mountain Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 133 reviews

Conway, NH

4.6 miNatural surfaceScenic

Hiking destination with views at the top including a scramble near the end.

2.1 miles away

Marshall Conservation Area Trail Head

4.6 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

Conway, NH

Natural surface

2.2 miles away

Echo Lake State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,515 reviews

North Conway, NH

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

118-acre park with a scenic trail circling a lake plus picnicking & swimming options & a bathhouse.

2.2 miles away

Echo Lake Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

North Conway, NH

ScenicDog-friendly

2.3 miles away

ESI River Walk Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 25 reviews

North Conway, NH

2.9 miles away

Cathedral Ledge Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 72 reviews

Bartlett, NH

ScenicDog-friendly

Mountain hiking area featuring a bike trail and scenic views, popular in both summer and winter.

3.0 miles away

All running trails in Conway, NH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.