For Outdoors Enthusiasts, Summer’s Getting Too Hot to Handle
Few would be shocked to learn that the effects of a changing climate — shorter winters, hotter summers, heavier rain, declining water quality — are altering how people enjoy New Hampshire’s spectacular lakes, mountains, parks, and trails. But several recent studies from UNH have shown that summer heat has an outsized effect on how visitors enjoy the state’s outdoor amenities. On the cusp of the hot season, researchers Mike Ferguson, associate professor of recreation management and policy, and Maddie Smith, research scientist in UNH’s Earth Systems Research Center and Carsey School fellow, share insights from their research and offer suggestions for recreating safely in the heat.
Mike Ferguson
How are the effects of climate change altering the ways visitors enjoy New Hampshire’s outdoors?
Mike Ferguson: Our research, drawn from data from more than 1,300 New Hampshire residents surveyed for the 2024 to 2028 New Hampshire Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, shows that residents often adapt when winter conditions change, but summer heat is harder to overcome.
High summer temperatures can push visitors past the point where simple adjustments are enough. You can add layers when it is cold or choose a different location if snow isn’t favorable. But when it is too hot, there are fewer easy ways to adapt — especially for older visitors, families with young children, or people with health concerns. At a certain point, some people may avoid outdoor recreation altogether or become less likely to return to certain places.
Maddie Smith
What surprised you about these findings?
Maddie Smith: A higher percentage of comments from those surveyed were about the negative effects of winter, but those comments about summer were stronger statements. Residents who feel winter impacts still plan to return to their favorite places. They shift the day of the week, the time of day, or where they go, or they keep showing up despite the conditions.
Summer heat was the one impact that bypassed adaptation entirely and was associated with residents saying they were less likely to return. At a certain point, some people may avoid outdoor recreation altogether or become less likely to return to certain places.
The good news is that despite these impacts, 98.6% of residents say they still plan to keep recreating in New Hampshire.
How can visitors beat the heat and still enjoy New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation?
Smith: The same kinds of adjustments that already help residents adapt to other conditions can extend to summer too. Examples include going earlier or later in the day, picking shadier or higher-elevation trails, checking water quality and weather alerts before leaving, and swapping in water-based activities on the hottest days.
The Wildly Responsible campaign, launched by the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development, can help. It asks visitors to check current conditions, dress for the weather, and always have a Plan B when conditions aren't what they expected.
Why does this matter?
Ferguson: Outdoor recreation in New Hampshire supports more than 33,000 jobs, accounts for 4.5% of the state’s workforce, and contributes $4.2 billion to the state economy. And beyond these direct economic impacts, outdoor recreation affects health, family time, community identity, local businesses, and the state’s ability to attract and retain workers. That is why these findings matter for both residents and decision makers: they help identify where New Hampshire may need to invest in safer, more resilient parks, trails, water access, visitor information, and recreation infrastructure.
Smith and Ferguson report their findings in “When Climate Meets Crowds: Land Managers and Outdoor Recreation Providers’ Responses to Climate and Social Change in Parks and Protected Areas” (Journal of Park and Recreation Administration) and “Outdoor recreation in a changing climate: Visitors’ impacts, coping strategies, and intent to return to Parks and Protected Areas in New Hampshire, USA” (Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism). UNH co-authors are Lauren Ferguson, assistant professor of recreation management and policy; Elizabeth Burakowski, research associate professor, Earth Systems Research Center; Alix Contosta, research associate professor of natural resources and the environment; Shannon Rogers, Extension state specialist; Dovev Levine, assistant dean of the Graduate School; and Mark Gorman ’25G. This research was funded and conducted in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, as part of the 2024 to 2028 New Hampshire Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.