Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. What can I expect from a Graylag stay?
  2. Do you allow pets?
  3. How much of a deposit is required?
  4. What are the check-in and check-out times?
  5. What if I have to cancel?
  6. What is your smoking policy?
  7. Are campfires permitted?
  8. Are there boats we can use?
  9. Is the pond safe for swimming?
  10. Do you have hiking trails?
  11. What kind of plants will we find at Graylag?
  12. Can we invite friends to join us for the day during our stay?
  13. Can we fish at Graylag?
  14. Do the cabins have cable TVs?
  15. Are the cabins air conditioned?
  16. Does Graylag host groups and special events?
  17. Are the cabins private?
  18. Are there quiet hours?
  19. Is the water clean?
  20. Are there telephones in the cabins?
  21. Will my cell phone get good service at Graylag?
  22. Do the cabins have wifi?
  23. Do I need to bring linens or toilet paper?
  24. How well equipped are the kitchens?
  25. Is firewood provided?
  26. Where can I buy food and supplies?
  27. Are the cabins heated?
  28. Can I donate to Graylag Nature Preserve?
  29. Is Graylag open to the public for day visits?

  1. What can I expect from a Graylag stay?

    Graylag offers visitors a chance to engage in simple pleasures and rustic comfort in a natural environment. If you enjoy swimming, paddling, sailing, fishing, hiking, sitting around a campfire under the stars, and picking wild blueberries, you’ll like it at Graylag. We don’t offer power boats, hot tubs, TV, or air conditioning, but we do offer a warm atmosphere, woodland privacy, and wonderful quiet and peace. We have miles of trails through acres of woods, a pristine pond to explore by boat, delightful land art and sculptures to surprise and inspire you, and well equipped, rustic cabins in which to rest and connect with others.

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  2. Do you allow pets?

    We are sorry, but pets are not allowed at Graylag or in our cabins.

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  3. How much of a deposit is required?

    A 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation and is charged to the Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card you provide. The remaining balance is due on the day of check-in and will be charged to the card on file unless other payment arrangements have been made.

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  4. What are the check-in and check-out times?

    Check-in time is between the hours of 3 pm and 9 pm. Check-out time is any time before 10 am. If you need early check-in or late check-out, please give us a call—we may be able to accommodate you.

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  5. What if I have to cancel?

    If you need to cancel your reservation, please let us know as soon as possible so we can try to re-rent your cabin. You will receive a 100% refund if you cancel at least 60 days before arrival; 50% refund if you cancel at least 30 days (but fewer than 60) before arrival; and no refund if you cancel fewer than 30 days before arrival.

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  6. What is your smoking policy?

    All Graylag buildings are nonsmoking environments. Because fire safety is a primary concern, if you do wish to smoke outdoors, please make sure that all smoking materials are fully extinguished and placed in a trash receptacle when you are finished.

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  7. Are campfires permitted?

    You are welcome to make a campfire at the established firepits. The firepits adjacent to the waterfront and at the Ledges are available to all guests. In addition, Birches Family Lodge, Bower Cabin, and Oak Leaf Lodge have their own private firepits for the guests of those cabins. No fires may be made outside of these established locations. We provide all firewood at the campfire sites. For everyone’s safety, fires must be extinguished fully before leaving the fire pit.

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  8. Are there boats we can use?

    We have canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, a paddleboat, a sailboat, paddles, and lifejackets available for your use at no additional charge. There is no lifeguard on duty. N.H. state law requires the use of lifejackets while boating for children 12 and under, and we recommend them for all others for your safety.

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  9. Is the pond safe for swimming?

    Wild Goose Pond is a pristine fresh water lake, delightful for swimming. Graylag’s waterfront features a sandy beach area, lounge chairs, a dock, and a float that you can swim to. There is no lifeguard on duty. You are responsible for your own safety — all swimming and water activities are at your own risk. Children 12 and under MUST be supervised at all times when at the waterfront.

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  10. Do you have hiking trails?

    We have miles of hiking trails through Graylag’s more than 300 acres of woods and meadows. Our trails are well marked, but if this is your first time in our woods, we can familiarize you with the different paths and terrain before you venture out. For general safety, it is not advisable to hike alone in the woods. Always bring a flashlight, as well as a hiking map of the trails, available on our website and in laminated form in the cabins.

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  11. What kind of plants will we find at Graylag?

    We are avid gardeners and have carefully nurtured areas of beautiful native plants on the property, including the bog garden near the waterfront. Because these wild plants are fragile, and because we harvest the seeds for new plantings, do not walk in these gardens or pick any of their contents. Wild blueberries grow at various locations on the property, and you are welcome to pick them in season.

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  12. Can we invite friends to join us for the day during our stay?

    Our six cabins share the grounds of Graylag and the common resources like the boats and seating around the beach and waterfront fire pit. These resources are more than adequate for the Graylag guests; however, they can become strained if our guests invite additional visitors. So before you invite friends over, please check with Graylag staff about how we can accommodate your visitors.

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  13. Can we fish at Graylag?

    Wild Goose Pond is a great fishing spot, with perch, bass, and other fish in good supply. A NH fishing license is required for anyone over age 18, available online through NH Fish & Game at several local markets.

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  14. Do the cabins have cable TVs?

    Our cabins are intentionally free of TVs. Our guests appreciate having time away from the screens and outside stimuli that dominate day-to-day life. We do offer a multitude of books, games, and puzzles, and the trails and lake encourage outdoor exploration. Hammocks, swings, and rocking chairs encourage quiet contemplation and relaxation.

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  15. Are the cabins air conditioned?

    No. The coolness of the trees and lake make air conditioning unnecessary. We do have ceiling and floor fans for the occasional hot summer day, and all windows are screened so you can enjoy the cooler night air.

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  16. Does Graylag host groups and special events?

    We love to host small gatherings, special events, and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. Consider Graylag for your next family reunion or employee retreat. Rent a single cabin, multiple cabins, or the entire property. Groups meeting for private classes or restorative retreats can make use of Midway, which accommodates groups of 30, with advance reservation. Special event catering is available with advance notice. Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions.

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  17. Are the cabins private?

    Our six rental cabins are well spread out and, with the exception of Cousy and Geib, they are out of sight of one another. All have private screened and/or open porches or decks. All guests have access to the waterfront, the fire pit and the property’s woodland trails. Graylag has an atmosphere where guests can be as private as they wish or cross paths with other guests.

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  18. Are there quiet hours?

    Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sounds travel easily across the lake, so out of respect for fellow guests and our neighbors on the lake we ask that anyone near the water extinguish any fires and leave the waterfront area by 10 p.m. and moderate your noise after that time.

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  19. Is the water clean?

    Wild Goose Pond is a very clean, spring-fed body of water for swimming, boating, and fishing. It has received a high rating for water quality from the N.H. Department of Environmental Services. The water in the cabins, which comes from our on-site wells, is tested annually and is great for drinking. There is no need to bring bottled water to Graylag.

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  20. Are there telephones in the cabins?

    No, there are no phones in the cabins. Midway (located between Birches and Bower Cabins) is a common area that provides a landline phone and wifi. Midway is open 24/7 should you need to use these resources.

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  21. Will my cell phone get good service at Graylag?

    Sometimes — it depends on the carrier and model of phone. You will likely find some spots on the property that have adequate cell service, but others do not. We recommend that you activate Wi-Fi calling for use during your stay. Geib House and Oak Leaf Lodge have their own Wi-Fi service; in addition, Midway Cabin (our office and guest welcome center) is open 24-7 and you can connect to the Wi-Fi there. We also offer a landline phone for guest use in Midway.

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  22. Do the cabins have wifi?

    Not all cabins are wifi equipped. Wifi is available in Oak Leaf Lodge and Geib House, our two year-round rentals. Wifi is also available at Midway, which is a common area for guest use.

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  23. Do I need to bring linens or toilet paper?

    We provide all bed, kitchen, and bath linens, bath soap and shampoo, dish soap, toilet paper and paper towels. To protect our watershed, all of the soaps and shampoos are nontoxic, phosphate-free, and biodegradable, and all paper products are 100% recycled.

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  24. How well equipped are the kitchens?

    Each cabin is fully furnished and has a completely equipped kitchen, with a stove, refrigerator, oven, toaster, coffee maker, microwave, dishes, pots and pans, and much more. Each cabin also has a flashlight and a supply of playing cards, board games and books. A charcoal grill is located outside each cabin. Charcoal is not supplied, but we do offer starter chimneys and will be happy to show you how to use one to start your charcoal without starter fluid.

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  25. Is firewood provided?

    We supply our guests with free firewood to burn in the designated fire pits on the property. If you need more wood, just let us know and we can get more for you. Please do not take wood from the stacks of cord wood along the driveway, as that is used for our wood stoves during the winter months.

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  26. Where can I buy food and supplies?

    The local towns of Pittsfield, Barnstead, and Northwood can supply all your basic shopping and service needs with access to great local goods. Concord, NH, is 30 minutes away, with Walmart, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Depot and other box stores to pick up supplies. Also, Concord has a great health food store called the Concord Co-Op that might be of interest. Hannaford in Northwood and Danis Supermarket in Pittsfield, each about 15 minutes’ drive, offer a full array of groceries. Pittsfield also has a Rite-Aid pharmacy.

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  27. Are the cabins heated?

    The cabins are well-equipped with warming elements (both installed and portable) for use when the weather turns cool. Please follow the directions for the installed heating elements. Please turn off heaters during the daytime and consider using throw-blankets provided as an alternative to gas-powered heat. Oak Leaf Lodge and Geib House are fully heated and available for guests year-round.

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  28. Can I donate to Graylag Nature Preserve?

    We gratefully accept all financial donations, whether in the form of check or credit card. Graylag Nature Preserve is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, registered in the State of New Hampshire. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information, click here.

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  29. Is Graylag open to the public for day visits?

    Please check with us if you’d like to visit for the day.

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603-435-5555 320 Clough Road
Pittsfield, NH 03263