Temple Mountain was conserved as a state reservation in 2007 after six years of effort that involved many partners. Although only 31 of the new reservation's 352 acres are in Peterborough, the mountain is a gateway to the town as well as the region.

When the ski area closed in 2001, Friends of Temple Mountain was formed by Temple, Peterborough, and Sharon townspeople and regional land trusts to explore conservation options. When it became clear that potential buyers would not restore the ski area, a local couple purchased the land to give the conservation partnership a chance.

Leadership from the Monadnock Conservancy and state representative Anne-Marie Irwin was key. There also was heartfelt popular support for keeping one of the country’s first ski areas, provider of formative memories for so many, undeveloped and open to the public. Funds passed by the state legislature were more than matched by the towns, federal grants, and individuals.

The AllTrails website has descriptions and maps of hikes at Temple Mountain.