NH State Parks - Busy Adventurer Fort Stark

Day Trips for the Busy Adventurer

Being in nature is undeniably good for the soul, but trip planning can get between you and your quest for fulfillment, especially when your time is limited. For busy adventurers, New Hampshire’s 93 state parks and properties provide accessibility to outdoor spaces without the pressure of organizing the to-dos. Included in this list are five parks across the state that make perfect day-trip destinations, from a jam-packed trip to a day of decompressing and everything in between. If you only have time for multiple one-day getaways throughout the year, an NHSP Season Pass or a New Hampshire Park Plate makes getting there and getting in, that much easier.

Fort Stark State Historic Site

Day Trips for Getting Lost in Time

Fort Stark, a 10-acre historic site, is the only town in New Hampshire entirely made up of islands. Located on Jerry’s Point, across the way from the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, Fort Stark was an active military artillery from 1746 to 1948, defending the seacoast in the Spanish-American War, the War of 1812 and both World Wars. In addition to the significant military structures, the fort is home to a visitors center with fort artifacts and a museum of shipwrecks inside, and beautiful coastal grounds to explore. History is all-consuming at this park and the trip out to the Point is a beautiful drive.

Go to Historic Site

Check Out More Day Trips for the Busy Adventurer:

Livermore Falls State Park

Crawford Notch State Park - Willey House Historic Site

Wellington State Park

Mt. Sunapee State Park