Mount Monadnock rises 3,165 feet, nearly 1,000 feet higher than the surrounding peaks within 30 miles, and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1987. The mountain gained cultural prominence through the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Hiking dominates, with three major trailheads offering routes from direct summit ascents to longer woodland loops. The park also offers camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and picnicking year-round.