Bear Brook State Park

Contact

61 Deerfield Road, Allenstown, NH 03275

Book Day Use

Book Campsite

Directions

Call Park Office

Hours and Fees

Beach closed
Hiking weekends starting 11/12
Campground closes 10/15
Bear Hill Cabins close 10/29

Park Office: 603-485-9869
Day Use Fees:
Adult: NH Resident, $4.00, NH Residents age 65 and over, $0
Child: NH Resident 5 & under - $0, 6-17 - $2
Season Passes are available

Trails (Podunk Road): Unstaffed after 11/12/2023.
Park Operating Schedules

The CCC Museum: Is OPEN. The museum will be open for normal operating hours on Saturdays 12-4pm and Sundays 10-12 pm. Outside these hours, visitors can call 603 485-9869 to schedule an appointment.

This park is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting.

Off season use: 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. Recreationists should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to ensure their own safety. Users assume all risk while recreating in State Park lands.

Activities and amenities

Check Beach Advisories Here

About the Park

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.

Camping, hiking, biking, archery, swimming and fishing are a few of the outdoor activities you can do at the park. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park, leading to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offer a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

Campers have two options to enjoy this scenic park; the 101 site campground at Beaver Pond and the cabins at Bear Hill Pond. Boat rentals are available at both Beaver and Catamount Ponds.

If archery is your sport, Bear Brook State Park boasts two archery ranges - one 15-target range and a four-target practice range that is universally accessible (bring your own archery equipment).

Bear Brook Trail Map Bear Brook Trail Information

The Museum Complex at Bear Brook State Park 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.

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.

people enjoying the beach at bear brook state park

Day Use Reservations at Bear Brook State Park

Visitors can make a reservation before arriving at the park as parking is limited (especially on nice weekends and holidays). Walk-in spaces are available for visitors on a first come/first-serve basis. Reservations can be made up to 30 days prior to arrival.

Parks Plate & Season Pass: There are desiganted spaces set aside for plate/pass holders on a first-come/first-serve basis. Reservations are still encouraged in the event a park reaches capacity (requiring a $1 transaction fee).

NH Senior Citizens: To receive a discount at our per person fee locations, enter the number of NH Senior Citizens in the vehicle/occupant information section of the order details page, rather than the number of adults.

Reserve Beach Pass Reserve Hiking Pass

Camping at Bear Brook State Park

Camping, hiking, biking, archery swimming and fishing are a few of the outdoor activities you can do at the park. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park, leading to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits and ponds, offer a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Campers have two options to enjoy this scenic park; the 101 site campground at Beaver Pond and the cabins at Bear Hill Pond. Boat rentals are available at both Beaver and Catamount Ponds. Archery Pond is an universally accessible fly fishing facility and across the road from Archery Pond is a special little pond just for children under twelve to fish.

Bear Brook Campground Map, Information & Policies

Reserve a Campsite

Camping Information

Beaver Pond Campground - 600 Lower Road, Deerfield
Visitors to Beaver Pond Campground will find a camp store, swimming beach, canoe rentals, coin-operated showers, dump station (for campers only), ice, and firewood are available. This is a pet friendly campground.

Bear Hill Pond Cabins - 15 Bear Hill Pond Road, Deerfield
Two sizes of furnished cabins (maximum occupancy of 4 or 6 persons) are available for rent. Dogs are not allowed. There is a drop-off area and the cabins are walk-in. Cabins do not have electricity. Visitors to Bear Hill have easy access to the Hall Mountain trail network, a swimming beach, and non-motorized boating and fishing on Bear Hill Pond.

Smith Pond Shelter
The Smith Pond shelter is an Adirondack-style, lean-to shelter that was built in 1937 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The shelter sits atop a hill that overlooks Smith Pond.

Renters have access to two wide wooden bunks inside the shelter, a stone cook place, two outhouses, and steps that lead them down to the pond. The shelter is well wooded, and has an amazing view of the pond.

The nightly site fee pays for 2 adults only and up to 4 dependent children under 18.
6 people maximum per site of which only 4 can be adults.
This site is hike-in only, cars are parked at the trail head entering the site.
This site is off of the main campground road. Facilities for site are outhouses and are located on site with shelter.
Campers will need to bring their own drinking water and purchase firewood from the park store.

Park Store Hours Peak Season: Friday & Saturday: open 8 am - 10 pm, Sunday - Thursday: open 8 am to 8 pm
Park Store Hours Primitive Camping Season: Saturday & Sunday: open 8 am - 8 pm, Monday -Friday: open 8 am -10 am & 4 pm - 8 pm

Youth Group Camping

Let NH State Parks set the stage for your group’s next adventure.
Youth Group reservations for Greenfield, Moose Brook, Monadnock HQ, Pawtuckaway and Pillsbury State Parks can be made through ReserveAmerica by calling 1-877-647-2757. All other youth group reservations are made by calling Concord Headquarters at 603-271-3556 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
A $25 deposit will be required upon reservation, all additional fees will be collected at the park upon check-in. All Camping policy rules apply to youth group camping. Youth Groups camping at remote sites, Umbagog, or Dry River must pay in full prior to arrival.

For More information, please visit our School & Youth Group Page .

Are pets allowed at Bear Brook State Park?

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.

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Visit our Accessibility page. For more information on specific accessibilty needs or questions, please contact the individual park office directly.

Management Plan Committee

This plan provides a mechanism to manage Bear Brook State Park in a manner that promotes the conservation of native biodiversity; the protection, utilization and development of multiple resource values and user interests; and allows for harmony between potentially conflicting uses. For more info, click here.

Additional Resources

Bear Brook Trail Map
Bear Brook Trail Information
Bear Brook Campground Map
NEMBA's Places to Ride at Bear Brook State Park
AMC Outdoors with Kids
Bear Brook Winter Map
Derry Trail Riders
NEMBA Southern Chapter

Drone use is restricted at all NH State Parks. Drone operators are not permitted to take off or land within NH State Park boundaries.