Monadnock State Park

Contact

169 Poole Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452

Book Day Use - All Trails

Book Campsite

Directions

Call Park Office

Hours and Fees

Park Office: 603-532-8862

Old Toll Road - Staffed weekends only starts 10/27, last staffed date 11/11
Gilson Pond Campground - Primitive 10/15, last reservable date 10/27
Monadnock HQ Campground - Open year-round

- Monadnock sells out on weekend days April-November.
- Day-use reservations are strongly recommended to guarantee a parking spot.
- Visitors without reservations will be turned away when Park is full.
- Visitors cannot park elsewhere and walk into the Park.

Day Use Fees: $15 + $1 for advance reservations, for a vehicle with 6 occupants.
"Day-Use Reservation Pass" will reserve a parking spot for you.

Season Passes are Available Reservations are still recommended when using a Seasons Pass.

Park headquarters is staffed 7 days a week year-round with occasional exceptions for severe weather.

Park Operating Schedules

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

Reservations are Highly Recommended

(Visitors will be turned away when park is full)

About the Park

Monadnock State Park is located in and around the 3,165-ft. Mount Monadnock. The park is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected highlands. In 1987, Mount Monadnock was designated a National Natural Landmark. The park offers year-round recreational opportunities.

Which Trailhead Should You Choose?

Monadnock HQ: Main trails - Most direct route to the top.
Old Toll Road: Access to many side-trails and alternative destinations.
Gilson Pond: Longer hike for those more interested in solitude than in getting to the top.

See graphic below and the Monadnock Hiking Map for more help in choosing a trailhead.

Day Use Reservations at Monadnock State Park

Book your trip to Monadnock State Park: Reservations are highly recommended 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 Old Toll Road Hiking Pass 9 Halfway House Rd (Access to White Arrow - no direct access to White Dot)

Reserve Gilson Pond Hiking Pass 585 Dublin Rd (Access to Birchtoft Trail - no access to White Dot or White Cross - 6 hour hike)

Access to Main Trails is at Headquarters ( White Dot and White Cross Trails):

Reserve HQ Hiking Pass

campsite with tents at Monadnock State Park

Camping at Monadnock State Park

Monadnock State Park offers two Campground areas. Monadnock State Park Headquarters and Gilson Pond.
All sites allow for family camping. The campground road is closed in winter, and campers must park in the main hiking parking area and hike their gear to their site (about ¼ mile).
Gilson Pond Campground is closed for winter.

Reserve a Campsite - Gilson Pond Reserve a Campsite at Monadnock HQ

Camping Information

Our campground operating schedule is as follows (dates approximate, weather dependent):

Open May 2024 (primitive camping available April) see reservation link for updates.

Monadnock HQ: youth group camping only, reservations made through call center only.
Gilson Pond Campground: all family camping, reservations made online or through call center.

Winter, November 1st - April 30th:

Monadnock HQ: all sites allow for family camping, reservations can be made online or via call center. Youth group camping is available, reservations made via call center only, see below.
Gilson Pond: closed for winter.

Gilson Pond Campground Map, Information & Policies

Gilson Pond Remote Campground Map, Information & Policies

Monadnock HQ Campground Map, Information & Policies

Youth group camping reservations at Monadnock HQ can be made via call center only.
Reserve America Call Center: 1-877-647-2757

Out of state firewood is prohibited, but firewood is available to purchase at the Park stores. Camping is only allowed in designated campsites. Camping is not allowed on the mountain as it is against state law.

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 .

Group Use Reservations

Pavilions

For information on this parks pavilion rental please visit Pavilions & Group Use page.

Youth Group Day Use

Youth and School Groups must call the park directly at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to make reservations before visiting. The Bus Pass Program is available for NH youth organizations that meet the program criteria (for more information and applications, please visit BUS PASS PROGRAM.)

Groups that do not meet the qualification for the Bus Pass Program are eligible to receive a discounted rate. For More information, please visit our School & Youth Group Page .

Are pets allowed at Monadnock State Park?

Pets are not permitted in the park. Please note that this law includes all trails and areas on Mount Monadnock that are within Monadnock State Park boundaries. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

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.

Additional Resources

Monadnock Webcam

Click here to view a live webcam of Mt Monadnock
(viewed from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH).
Keep in mind that the real-time weather readings on the bottom of the cam are being fed by the Silver Ranch Airport in Jaffrey, which is about 6-7 miles away from the base of the mountain. The weather readings do not apply to current conditions on Mt. Monadnock!!

Forest Society and NH State Parks Monadnock Trails Week 2022
Monadnock State Park Hiking Map
Monadnock Nordic Ski Trails Map
Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail Information
Monadnock Ecological Research and Education
2003 Monadnock State Park Master Plan
Monadnock State Park History
Visiting New Hampshire's Biodiversity: Mt. Monadnock Subalpine Rocky Bald
Hike Safe
Monadnock Climbers Association
Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trailway Coalition

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