New Hampshire has many state parks, each with its own special attraction(s). Be sure to check out the main NH State Parks website for more information on each park. The site is easy to use and allows you to search the park system in a variety of ways - by activity, by region, alphabetically, and more.
Bear Brook State Park - (Allenstown, off Route 28) Bear Brook, with over 10,000 acres, is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire. Located in the southeast region of the state, there is plenty to do and see for everyone. Hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing are a few of the favorites.
Franconia Notch State Park - (Franconia, I93 Parkway) Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the popular White Mountain National Forest. Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway that extends from the Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake in the north. For eight miles, I-93 winds between the high peaks of the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges. It also offers a fabulous 20-mile round trip paved bike trail.
John Wingate Weeks State Historic Site - (Lancaster, off Route 3) The grounds provide a 360-degree panorama of mountain splendor, including the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Kilkenny Range, the Percy Peaks, and the upper Connecticut River Valley.
Moose Brook State Park - (Gorham, off Route 2 of Jimtown Road) Moose Brook is one of the oldest parks in the system and is located in the White Mountains Region, just north of the Presidential Range, Moose Brook State Park is in an area of unparalleled scenery and offers a variety of outdoor activities. The park is ideally located for fishing in the Peabody and Moose rivers. The many trails in the park are great for exploring on foot or mountain bike.
Northwood Meadows State Park - (Northwood, Route 4) This wooded park has a vast wetlands area and is excellent for nature walks and picnicking for fishing, and non-motorized boating on a pond that is created by a dammed brook. The easily accessible trails also make the park an ideal place for biking, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Odiorne Point State Park - (Rye, Route 1A) Odiorne Point is the largest undeveloped stretch of shore on New Hampshire's eighteen-mile coast. An excellent spot for picnicking and exploring with an extensive network of trails, including a paved bike path, wind through the dense vegetation, and traversing the park. The Seacoast Science Center which is located in the park has exhibits relating to the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area.
Pawtuckaway State Park - (Nottingham, off Route 156) Picnicking, swimming, boating, mountain biking, hiking, and camping are all available in this 5,500-acre state park.
Pillsbury State Park - (Washington, off Route 31) Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser-known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north. Canoeing, warm-water fishing, picnicking, hiking, and mountain biking are favorite park activities.
Pisgah State Park - (Winchester/Chesterfield/Hinsdale, Route 119, Route 63) This is the largest state park in New Hampshire with year-round trailheads for hiking, mountain biking, ATV and snowmobile use provide options for short, moderate, and long treks into the backcountry.
What’s your favorite state park and why? Tell us by visiting our Facebook page or emailing info@stayworkplay.org and include a photo as well!