Dummer: Water, Nature and Views

Dummer brings together themes that offer different focal points when planning a trip: water, wildlife and scenery. The town is home to Pontook Reservoir, which is popular with kayakers. A public boat launch is located on the Androscoggin River in the Bofinger Conservation Area. The Glover Farm Wildlife Management Area encompasses fields, wetlands and diverse forest landscapes; from the Bickford Hill Trail, you can see the reservoir and wind turbines. If you are looking for a hotel in Dummer, you can start by considering whether water, nature or wildlife viewing will shape your trip.

Waterside Scenery and Boat Access

Pontook Reservoir is popular with kayakers and is a defining feature of Dummer’s waterside landscape. The public boat launch is on another named body of water: the Androscoggin River in the Bofinger Conservation Area. It is overseen by the responsible state agency; public access may be subject to posted restrictions. Check for any such notices before using the launch. The distinction is useful for planning your trip: kayaking points to the reservoir, while launching a boat points to the river.

Habitats and Wildlife Viewing

Fields, wetlands and diverse forest landscapes define the Glover Farm Wildlife Management Area. These habitats support characteristic New Hampshire wildlife as well as state- and federally endangered species. The area was acquired to provide the public with recreational opportunities such as hunting and wildlife viewing. Those interested in conservation can consider the diversity of habitats here alongside the area’s importance to species with protected status.

Views of the Landscape and Water

The Glover Farm Wildlife Management Area also preserves the view from the Route 16 Scenic Byway. The Bickford Hill Trail offers an excellent view of Pontook Reservoir and wind turbines. When planning your trip, you can compare two different landscape experiences: the preserved view associated with the Scenic Byway and the trail’s direct view of the water and turbines.

Regional ATV Connections

The Milan Trail Huggers ATV Club area includes Milan, Stark and Dummer; it lies between Routes 3 and 16. The ATV connection is therefore regional and not limited to Dummer alone. Separately, a 2025 state funding summary lists a planned improvement project for approximately 1.5 miles of trail on Grass Road Corr A in Dummer; about half a mile was to receive a gravel-clay mix. The two details answer different questions: the club area defines a three-town region, while the planned project identifies a single stretch of trail.

Hydropower in the Town’s History

The waterside landscape also has an infrastructure history. Pontook Dam created Pontook Reservoir and was rebuilt in the mid-1980s to generate hydroelectric power. A separate hydropower connection concerns the Upper Ammonoosuc River: in Dummer’s forested region, it supplied water power to mills. The two stories are distinct: Pontook Reservoir centers on the body of water created by the dam, while the Upper Ammonoosuc River supplied mills with hydropower.

Discover more destinations: Colebrook, Milan, Carroll, Gorham, Berlin, Dixville Notch, Lancaster, Errol.

For the regional travel overview: Coos.