- Welcome!
- Local Attractions
- Natural Attractions
- Lodging & Food
Canaan is the Essence of New England!
Canaan is a town of 4,000 people that was chartered in 1761. Its meeting house was built in 1793, and it is still used today for community events, public issues, and social gatherings in the original village now known as Canaan Historic District.
Education has always been highly valued in Canaan. The Noyes Academy, active during the early 1800s, was one of the first American schools to promote education for black students. Today, Canaan hosts two wonderful school systems: Cardigan Mountain School and Mascoma Valley Regional School District. Canaan Elementary School, part of the Mascoma District, has been named a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence."
Canaan has more than 12,000 acres of land that have conservation easements that protect it forever. There are 9 ponds and lakes and 2 major river systems, one of which is designated as a New Hampshire Protected River. Cardigan Mountain, at 3,100 feet, is the focal point of the 5,000 acre Cardigan Mountain State Park that borders Canaan.
Outdoor recreation, sports, and cultural events are mainstays of the Canaan way of life. Hunting, fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, hiking, biking, ATV travel, organized team sports, snowmobiling, and horseback riding are enhanced by the beauty of local mountains and lakes. Annual community events such as Old Home Days, Christmas in Canaan, Arts and Crafts festivals, Farmers' Markets, Concerts on the Green, Town-wide Yard Sale Galas, and The Meeting House readings - during which renown authors share their works the local townspeople – create the "Canaan Tradition."
Racing is also part of Canaan's tradition. There are regular Moto Cross racing events and motorcycle hill climbs. The Canaan Motorclub completed a new track and facility in 2015. This is a nationally competitive, 1.4 mile long, high speed track that hosts professional and amateur race cars, high performance karts, motorcycles, and vintage sports cars.
Finally, Canaan is a community of diverse people with extraordinary skills, and differing views, education and wealth. Tolerance and social and personal responsibility are hallmarks. People are artisans, professionals, skilled trade's people and manufacturers.
Come experience the land, waters, people and events of Canaan.
Happening Soon:
Lean More:
Go to the CanaanNH Home Page
Seasonal Traditions:
Check Local Events for times and details!
Summer Concert Series:
Tuesdays in July
Meeting House Readings:
Thursdays in July
Old Home Days:
First Weekend in August
Annual Holiday Craft Sale:
First Saturday after Thanksgiving
Christmas in Canaan
Third Wednesday of December
Art Galleries & Classes
Cardigan Mountain Art Association
Phone: 603-523-7292
Or: 603-632-5180
cardiganart@live.com
Free and low cost art classes to the community. Artists' Association. Community Art Events & Sales
Kraatz & Russell Glass
407 Gristmill Hill Road
Canaan NH 03741
603-523-4289
kraatzrussell@peoplepc.com
Commissioned Stained & Blown Glass Sculpture, Architecture, & Furniture
McAlister Collection Gift Shop
19 Juniper Rd
Canaan NH 03741
603-523-9130 9am-9pm EST
info@mcalistercollection.com
Giftshop & Sales of Woodcarvings, Cast Santas, Dried Florals, Paintings, Cards, Paper mache boxes, Polymer clay jewelry
Farms & Markets
Canaan Farmers and Artisans' Market
On the Common
Intersections US Route 4 & NH Route 118
Sundays 10am-1pm, May-Oct
Canaan, NH 03741
D Acres
218 Streeter Woods Road
Dorchester, NH 03266
603-786-2366
info@dacres.org
Not-for-profit Permaculture Farm and Educational Homestead
Historical
Canaan Historic District
Canaan Street, Canaan NH 03741
Canaan Historic District Commission
Canaan NH Heritage
Google Community History Walk
Houses and buildings from the Greek Revival & Federal Period fronting lovely Canaan Street Lake.
Canaan Meeting House
Near 450 Canaan St, Canaan, NH 03741
Historically restored.
Has a Green and Picnic area facing Canaan Street Lake.
Canaan Historical Museum
Canaan Street
Canaan, NH 03741
Across the street from the Meeting House
Original Site of Noyes Academy: Second School in the U.S. to admit black students.
Hours: Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 July through October
Admission is free.
Canaan Town Library
1173 US Route 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-9650
circulationdesk@canaanlibrary.org
They have wifi available at all times, and subscribe to genealogy websites to help you in historic searches.
Hours available on their website.
This historic building has housed a movie theater, a store, a school lunch room, a basketball court, and more.
On continuous display is a bicentennial quilt of the historic moments in Canaan, and on rotating display are historic and modern local artwork.
Horseback Riding
Lazy Pony Farm
8 Mud Pond Rd
Canaan, NH 03741
603-727-2473
lazyponyfarm@gmail.com
Riding Lessons & Trail Rides as Available
Sunny Creek Equestrian Center
317 Goose Pond Road,
Canaan, NH 03741
603-208-9050
sunnycreekequestriancenter@gmail.com
Horse Boarding, Arena Rentals, Clinics, Camps, English Jumper Shows, Western Gymkhana & Barrell Racing Shows
Racing
Canaan Lions Club Motocross
Ballpark Rd
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7720
info@canaanlionsclub.org
Motocross Racing
Canaan MotorClub
18 Orange Road
Canaan, NH 03741
SCCA RallyX, Motorcycle Racing & Instruction, Automobile Racing & Instructions, NHKA Karts, and other Motor Club Events. Free public viewing from outside the fence. Some clubs offer trackside tickets. Information available at the gate on race day.
Ridge Runner Hill Climb
NH Route 118
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-9859
Hillclimb events for bikes, snowmachines, and more!
Snowmobiling
Mount Cardigan Snowmobile Club
Email available from their website.
Provides snowmobile trail information, maps, and grooming in the Mount Cardigan area.
NH Parks & Recreation Snowmobile Resources
P.O. Box 1856
Concord, NH 03302
603-271-3556
nhparks@dred.state.nh.us
Provides snowmobile information for the state of NH
Sports
Mascoma High School Sports Schedule
Mascoma High School is located between Enfield and Canaan on US Route 4.
603-632-4308
Seasonal Sports Schedule produced by NHIAA.
Mascoma Youth Sports
Events occur at sports fields in the Canaan & Enfield areas. See website for more details.
Sports Opportunities for children in the Mascoma School District.
Canaan Horseshoe League
Meets throughout the Summer on Mondays from 6-9:30PM at Williams Field.
For more information, contact Tom Hudgens at 603-523-9649 or tjhudgens@gmail.com
Nearby
Movie Theaters
Museums
Theaters/Stages
Skiing, Golfing & Indoor Swimming:
NH Travel Sites
Mountains, Trails, & Walks
Cardigan Mountain State Park
Cardigan Mountain offers several scenic mountain top trails at one of the highest mountains in the area.
Park & Map Information:
NH State Parks Guide
NH State Parks Hiking Guide & Maps
Town Forest Trails & Nature Hut
The Town Forest hosts a 1/2 mile long trail leading from a parking area to the an Educational Nature Hut, and from there, there are three shorter trails which begin & end at the hut.
Parking is on the north side of Rt 4, in a pull off, located approximately 1/2 mile past Lafortune Rd heading east.
More Information & Maps:
Canaan Conservation Commission
Map
The Town Forest is a uniquely forested wetland and home to the endangered Canada Warbler.
Walking Guide to Canaan
Co-created between the Recreation Department and Upper Valley HEAL (Healthy Eating Healthy Living), the Walking Guide maps out 7 Canaan Walks ranging from easy to hard. Most walks are readily accessible from a roadside parking location.
Walking Guide & Maps
Northern Rail Trail
Twenty-three miles of converted Rails-to-Trails that extend from Lebanon to Grafton, NH. Perfect for walking and biking, the trail is even and offers easy access points all along route 4.
The Canaan Trailhead on Depot Street has a grassy picnic area on one side of the trail and easy access to downtown stores, restaurants, parks, and playground.
Map & Information
Over 6 miles of hiking trails from easy to intermidiate located in Dorchester NH. All trails are well marked. Highlights include the headwaters of the south fork of the Baker River, an old mica mine, vernal pools, and beaver dams. D Acres of NH is a non-profit educational homestead and working permaculture farm. We are open to the public. For more information, feel free to call 603-786-2366 or go online at www.dacres.org/
Historic District History Walk
Learn about the important & historical places along Canaan Street in this Google Community Walk
Walking Guide
Water
Canaan Street Lake & Boat Launch
The Town of Canaan maintains a public beach on Canaan Street opposite the Meeting House and next to the Museum on Canaan Street Lake. The beach has bathrooms and changing areas and parking. There is a shallow boat launch, and seasonal daytime lifeguard protection. There are picnic tables across the street at the Meeting House common.
Clark Pond
There is a boat launch at the south end of the public access road at Clark Pond with parking.
More Info Here!
Goose Pond
There is a boat launch and picnic area at the north end of Goose Pond that is open to the public and maintained by NH Fish and Game. The area is also frequented by swimmers but there is no developed beach at the site. There is a small beach area near the dam at the south end of Goose Pond that is also open to the public.
More Info Here!
Goose Pond Lake Association
Recreational Gathering Places
To learn about reserving these spaces, please click here.
Williams Field
Williams Field was created in 1927 through a gift of Arthur Williams family of Orange. There is a lighted ball field, lighted horseshoe pits and a youth playground at the facility. The Field is used by softball and horseshoe leagues as well as inter-community games, school softball for the middle school, individual play and fund-raising games for local organizations. During the summer and fall it also hosts town wide yard sales and Old Home Day activities. A log cabin refreshment stand was donated by Charlie Neily in 1976.
The field is located at 1206 US Route 4.
Williams Field Playground
The Williams Field Playground is designed to appeal to all ages and abilities. For older youth, there is a climbing and exercise bar complex. For the youngest kids there is an exploration area with slides, tunnels and exploration activities.
This area is ADA accessible for kids with limited mobility. The swing area has two seats that are enclosed and appropriate for toddlers and a fully enclosed ADA compliant swing for older children as well as regular swings. toys and new digging equipment (one ADA accessible) are located near the toddler area.
An intermediate play complex with climbing and slides is located just past the older youth exercise area. For parents, there is a 25' by 25' shaded area with two picnic tables right next to the toddler area.
The playground is located
at 1206 US Route 4.
Down Town Common
At the intersections of Routes 4 and 118, the Town Green is the focus of downtown Canaan's commerce and community life. Regular events include Band Concerts, the Farmers' Market, and Town Wide Yard Sale.
In addition to lovely benches, picnic tables, and a grandstand, the Common also houses the town's memorial to Fallen Veterans.
For permission to post signs on the Common, please contact the Town Administrator at 523-4501 x5. Posting signs without permission is prohibited.
Meeting House & Meeting House Green
In 1792, the people living in Canaan started construction on a Meeting House just off of what is now Canaan Street Lake. It was complete in 1793 and still graces the common on Canaan Street and serves as a focal point for the Canaan Historic District. Restoration and historical preservation are maintained by the Meeting House Preservation Committee.
The Meeting House is commonly used for weddings, history days, art shows, meetings, and our regionally famous, Meeting House Readings.
Places to Stay
Crescent Campsites
Fernwood Farms Rd
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-9910
Seasonal campsite on Canaan Street Lake offering fishing, boating, swimming, and on-site recreational activities.
Kempfield Guests
510 Canaan Street
Canaan, NH 03741
413-212-9239
860-596-2256
lolopom@yahoo.com
Three room guest suite with queen bed, living room and private bath. Private entrance off front porch.
Stage Coach Lodge
Stephen & Carolyn Freese
Reagan Rd
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7678
Stagecoachlodgecanaan@gmail.com
An updated 1880's Victorian Bed and Breakfast.
Book by calling or emailing directly or through airbnb.
Restaurants, Catering & Convenience Stories
B&W Catering
Canaan, NH 03741
Chef/Owner Brent Battis
Phone: 603-359-4396
brent@bwcateringcompany.com
Event Coordinator/Owner Whitney Battis
Phone: 802-356-6432 whitney@bwcateringcompany.com
Specializing in world cuisine that is sourced locally. We prepare all of our food from scratch, and we will customize any menu to fit the needs of your specific event. Anything from small cocktail parties to weddings and everything in between.
Canaan Food Mart
1177 US Route 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-4939
Convenience Store
Canaan Village Pizza
1209 US Route 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-4314
Pizza, Italian & American Food
Duck Soup Catering
Chef/Owner: Carolyn Freese
23 Reagan Road
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7678
Full service catering business. We are enormously flexible, can make just about anything, and are dedicated to using local produce whenever possible.
Evans Expressmart
Church St
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7578
Convenience Foods & Gas/Fuel
Golden Ming Chinese Restaurant
1178 US Route 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7979
American Chinese Food
Jake's Market & Deli
70 NH Route 118
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-9011
Convenience Foods & Gas/Fuel
Red Wagon Bakery
1194 US Rte 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-2062
redwagonbakes@gmail.com
Bakery, coffee shop, and cafe. Serving baked-daily goods, breakfast, lunch, coffee, and espresso.
The 603 Bakery & Cafe
1182 US Rte 4
Canaan, NH 03741
603-523-7709
the603bakerycafe@gmail.com
Serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Baked goods, sandwiches, salads, specialty beverages, bagels, and more.
