Bear Brook State Park

157 Deerfield Road
Allenstown NH 03275
Phone (day-use): 603-485-9874
Phone (campground): 603-485-9869




Icon Legend

Bear Brook State Park, 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. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park lead to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits, and ponds. The park offers a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The parks has a day-use area, group areas, and a 101-site campground. Boat rentals are available on the weekends.
Bear Brook Trails Map

If archery is your sport, Bear Brook State Park boasts two archery ranges - one 15-target range maintained by the N.H. Fish and Game Department, plus an additional four-target practice range that is universally accessible (bring your own archery equipment).

A Museum Complex within the park which is home to New Hampshire Antique Snowmobile Museum, Old Allenstown Meeting House, and the Richard Diehl Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum. Most of the museums are housed in historic CCC buildings. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bear Brook Camp is one of the most complete camps remaining intact and in use in the country. The museums are open at various times throughout the summer.

Equestrian users: See our Equestrian Trail Information webpage for more information about which trails/areas are suitable for horseback riding at Bear Brook State Park.

Notice: The Beaver Pond Trail is closed for repairs.

Operating Schedule

Bear Brook State Park is open weekends only beginning May 25, 2013. The park opens full-time for the season on June 15, 2013 and closes September 2, 2013. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Gates close at 8:00 pm daily. *Operating dates and times are subject to change without notice. For up to date hours, please call the park directly.

Fee	Weekends Only	Full-Time	Gates	Operating Hours	Closing
Adults: $4 Children (6-11): $2		5/25 - 9/2	M-F: 9am-8pm Sat/Sun: 8am-8pm	M-F: 9am-6pm Sat/Sun: 8am-6pm	9/2

This park is always open for recreation. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed, comfort stations are not available and gates may be closed. The off-season poses unique risks inherent when participating in outdoor recreational activities. Please be aware that many State Park areas and trails are not staffed during the off-season, and day-use fees are not collected. Recreationists should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to ensure their own safety. Users assume all risk while recreating in State Park lands.

Fees

Admission is $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free. Season passes are available. When park is unstaffed during the season, please use Iron Ranger (self-serve paystation). Rates are for the 2012 season and are subject to change.

Bear Brook Timber Harvest

In order to minimize the spread of red pine scale, the Division of Forests and Lands will be harvesting several red pine plantations in Bear Brook State Park beginning February 20th, 2013. Red pine scale is an exotic insect that causes swift decline and mortality in red pine stands. New Hampshire's first documented case of red pine scale was discovered last summer in this park. The project will affect 118 acres, concentrating on pine stands along Deerfield Road, New Rye Road and One Mile Trail. Removal of these trees will dramatically change the look of the park in these areas. Visit our Bear Brook Timber Harvest webpage for more information.

New Trails Added

The Southern NH Chapter of NEMBA cut two new singletrack trails at Bear Brook State Park in the fall of 2012 (for mountain biking and hiking). The group built 'Big Bear,' a 1.6 mile downhill trail which can be accessed off of Podunk Rd and also created a new version of the Little Bear Trail, a 1 mile long uphill trail which can be accessed from Hayes Field. The previous Little Bear Trail will be closed to all users. These new trails are now open and will continue to receive a little fine tuning as they get ridden in.

During their Trailsfest weekend, Southern NH NEMBA crew also did a reroute of the Cascade Trail, closing the old Cascade stairs at the bridge and moving the Cascade sign from the stairs to the new intersection across from Bear Brook trail.

Take a video tour of the new Big Bear Trail on our You Tube Channel.

Camping at Bear Brook State Park

Bear Brook State Park has 101 wooded campsites located on Beaver Pond. A camp store, canoe rentals, coin-operated showers, dump station, ice, and firewood are available. The campground is open for reservable stays from Memorial Day weekend (5/24) through Columbus Day weekend (10/14). Reservations may be made online through ReserveAmerica or by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-647-2757. Reservations for organized youth group camping are required and should be made by calling the Concord Office at (603) 271-3556. Call the Bear Brook State Park campground directly at (603) 485-9665. Bear Brook Campground Map

Campground Schedule:

Full-Time	Closing	Office Hours	Camping Rate Per Night
5/24	10/14	Sun-Thurs: 8am-8pm Fri-Sat: 8am-10pm	$25 (no hookups)

Are pets allowed at Bear Brook State Park?

Leashed pets are permitted in the campground and on the trails only, not in the day-use area. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

Planning an Outing?

Bear Brook State Park is a great location to hold a family reunion, corporate outing, wedding, and more. For more information, check out our Outings in State Parks page and see a complete listing and photos of all our State Park Pavilions and Group Use Areas.

Keep Your Parks Clean

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program, you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out whatever you carry in. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.