Loudon, New Hampshire
Merrimack County · Merrimack Valley

Loudon

Home of NASCAR's Magic Mile Since 1993

About Loudon

Loudon is a rural Merrimack County town best known as the home of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which draws hundreds of thousands of racing fans each year for NASCAR and motorcycle events. Racing enthusiasts can dive deeper into the sport's local history at the New England Racing Museum, located right at the speedway, where vintage race cars and racing memorabilia showcase the region's rich motorsports heritage through exhibits and artifacts from New England's racing past. Beyond the roar of engines, Loudon is a quiet agricultural community where rolling fields, farm stands, and winding back roads define daily life. Pleasant View Gardens, one of the founding partners of the Proven Winners plant brand, operates 30 acres of greenhouse space here. The Old Suncook Village area preserves the town's colonial heritage, while local farms like Miles Smith Farm keep the agrarian tradition alive. Loudon offers an appealing mix of small-town serenity and world-class motorsports excitement just minutes from the state capital. It's the kind of place where you can spend a peaceful morning at a farm stand and an afternoon watching cars thunder around the track, all without leaving town.

Why Loudon?

  • Home of New Hampshire Motor Speedway — NASCAR, motorcycle, and karting events all year
  • Low unemployment rate with easy commute to Concord's job market
  • Active agricultural community with local farms, farm stands, and community events
  • Affordable rural living with quick access to I-93 and the state capital
  • Strong Merrimack Valley school district serving K-12

Quick Facts

Population
5,507
County
Merrimack
Region
Merrimack Valley
School District
SAU 46

Weather in Loudon

53°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

57 / 27

Sun

62 / 38

Mon

62 / 40

Map

Living in Loudon

What you need to know about making Loudon your home.

Major Employers

New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayPleasant View GardensNortheast Electrical DistributorsMiles Smith FarmMerrimack Valley School District

Schools & Education

Loudon students attend Loudon Elementary School locally, then move to Merrimack Valley Middle School and High School in Penacook as part of the Merrimack Valley School District (SAU 46).

Cost of Living

Loudon offers relatively affordable rural living with a median home price around $500,000, though the property tax rate of $23.25 per $1,000 is above the state average.

Real Estate

$500,000 median home price

$23.25 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Loudon

Commute Times

90 min
Boston
15 min
Concord
30 min
Laconia
40 min
Manchester

School District

Regional district

Merrimack Valley School District(SAU 46)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Boscawen.

Loudon serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

Loudon Elementary School
K-5Elementary
Merrimack Valley Middle School
6-8Middle School
Merrimack Valley High SchoolTomahawks
9-12High School

Hidden Gems in Loudon

Beyond the well-known attractions, Loudon has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Oak Hill Fire Tower Trail

year-round

A moderately challenging 3.8-mile hike leading to a 45-foot steel fire tower built in 1928. The yellow-blazed trail winds through hemlock forests before opening to sweeping views of Mt. Kearsarge, Mt. Cardigan, and the White Mountains from the tower stairs. A picnic table sits near the base, and the trail network includes scenic overlooks like Swope Slope Vista with views across the rolling hills.

Lovejoy Trails

year-round

A 2.1-mile trail network featuring a 0.4-mile boardwalk over wetlands, historic stone walls from the former Lovejoy farm, and remnants of an old rangeway. The white-blazed Martha's Trail loops through lowlands near wetlands, while the blue-blazed highland loop showcases scenic woodlands and farm history. The red-blazed Steep Trail provides elevation change connecting the loops.

Bachelder Town Forest Trails

year-round

A hidden 150-acre forest with three connected loops totaling over 4 miles of trails. The Harry-O Circuit offers an easier 1.2-mile walk, while the Blue Loop winds 1.6 miles through beautiful woods past vernal pools and through a historic rangeway. A footbridge crosses Bumfagon Brook, and the trails showcase interesting geologic features and peaceful woodland settings.

Hoit Road Marsh and Riley Trails

spring

A wildlife-rich marsh area with a handicap-accessible viewing platform overlooking lily pad-filled waters. The short trail leads to excellent birding opportunities with wood ducks, herons, and migrating waterfowl. The adjacent Snap Town Road trail explores upland property through old forest roads where moose, deer, and other wildlife frequent. Spring and fall offer the best wildlife viewing.

Soucook River Fishing Spots

year-round

A 29-mile river flowing through Loudon with excellent trout fishing including brook, brown, and rainbow trout. The river winds through gently rolling terrain with multiple access points offering secluded fishing holes. Local anglers know the quiet spots where the current creates deep pools perfect for casting. The river remains largely undeveloped with natural banks and good cover.

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