Explore Moeckel Pond

Come visit the garden with the new bench and rocks!

We took some kayaks out to a small island on Moeckel Pond - here is our journey! We started at the Moeckel Pond parking lot, right next to the ADA-compliant and easy-to-use Moeckel Pond/Simpson Mill Canoe Launch, which provides access to the water for everyone. From there, we traveled by kayak to the island, where adventure awaits.

A one-way trip out to the island could take roughly 10 to 25 minutes to complete. This depends on wind conditions, the type of kayak you're using, and your level of experience. The distance round-trip is about .6 of a mile. While kayaking, beware of underwater branches (especially if you're using an inflatable
kayak), weeds, and large rocks.

When you arrive at the island, there is a kayak haul-out spot, as well as picnic tables, a hammock, and a short walking trail. Bring life jackets, water shoes, and food and drinks to enjoy on the island. (But please be sure to pack up your trash and bring it with you when you leave.)

To get to the Moeckel Pond lot, stay on Marblehead for 1.7 miles and then turn right onto Bayleaf Way, which turns into a dirt road ending in the parking lot.

News Showcase on Kayaking at Moeckel Pond

Brownie Troop 62087 did a pollinator program in the garden! It included artwork, planting, and decorating!

If you have any plants/clippings from your fall garden cleanup that you’d like to donate to the Moeckel Pond Pollinator Garden, email [email protected] for pickup!

More progress!

Progress at the pollinator garden!

Take your pup with you when you go on a hike at Moeckel Pond! Just remember to keep them on a leash and to pick up after them.

TAKE A HIKE AT MOECKEL POND
The public can park at two lots (Deer Leap and Moeckel Pond/Simpson Mill Canoe Launch) to hike on multiple trails with varying difficulty levels and some very scenic views. Most of the trails connect at the Deer Leap ledge, which is the main lookout point with beautiful views of Moeckel Pond.

The trails are color coded and marked on trees. The main red loop trail is one mile long. The orange and blue trails are .2 miles, the yellow trail is .3 miles long, and the white trail is less than .1 miles long.

For a less difficult trail, park at the Deer Leap parking lot and follow the one-mile red loop trail, which is primarily flat with few inclines. More advanced hikers can use the Moeckel Pond parking lot and follow the steep blue trail to the Deer Leap ledge. From there, hikers can access all of the other trails. Most of the trails include obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees, as well as steep inclines.

All of the trails bring hikers into nature, surrounded by trees, boulders, birds, chipmunks, and even some local history as an old cellar hole can be seen on the red trail.

Bring hiking shoes, walking stick, water, snack and bug spray. To get to the Deer Leap parking lot, turn onto Marblehead Road from Range Road. Follow Marblehead for 1.4 miles and turn right onto Woodbury. The parking lot is up on the left. To get to the Moeckel Pond lot, stay on Marblehead for 1.7 miles and then turn right onto Bayleaf Way, which turns into a dirt road ending in the parking lot.

For a trail map visit https://windhamnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8157/Deer-Leap

How to get there?
To get to the Moeckel Pond/Simpson Mill canoe launch parking lot, follow Range Road in Windham, New Hampshire, turn onto Marblehead Road and stay on for 1.7 miles, and then take a right on Bayleaf Way, which turns into a dirt road ending in the parking lot.

Help beautify Moeckel Pond with painted rocks!