Pawtuckaway State Park

Contact

128 Mountain Rd., Nottingham, NH 03290

Book Day Use

Book Campsite

Directions

Call Campground

Call Park Office

Hours and Fees

Hiking - Last staffed date 11/11
Beach - Last staffed date 9/29
Campground - Primitive 10/15, last reservable date 10/27
Office: 603-895-3031

Day Use Fees:
Adults: 12+yrs: $5.00
Children: 6-11yrs: $2.00
Children under 5yrs: $0.00
NH Residents 65+yrs with valid NH license: $0.00

Season Passes are available

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

Check Beach Advisories

About The Park

Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen, and a geologically unique field where large boulders called glacial erratics were deposited when glacial ice melted near the end of the Ice Age.

Beach Policy: The Pawtuckaway State Park beach area often reaches capacity in the morning hours on weekends and holidays and once it reaches capacity the beach will be closed to additional visitors to ensure the safety of our visitors. A list of New Hampshire State Park swimming locations is posted here; Kingston State Park and Bear Brook State Park are both approximately a half-hour from Pawtuckaway State Park. Alcohol is prohibited at the Pawtuckaway State Park Beach Area

Pawtuckaway Trail Map & Information

Pawtuckaway State Park Improvement Project, 2024

Replace obsolete infrastructure, add new infrastructure and supporting facilities (i.e. toilet buildings), to support existing visitors and meet the demand for camping experiences. Project to start in September 2024, Horse and Big Island Camping areas will be closed. Neals and Group Camping will remain open for camping (no showers) until October 27th, 2024.

The Division is proposing to do the following:

Construct a new recreational vehicle dump station along the park road.
Demolish and replace 5 toilet buildings in the Big Island and Horse Island camping areas.
The project includes construction of new septic systems.

paddling boarding at pawtuckaway state park

Day Use Reservations at Pawtuckaway 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 Now - Beach Pass Reserve Now - Hiking Pass

Camping at Pawtuckaway State Park

Pawtuckaway State Park Campground lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake. Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. Other amenities include fully equipped 24 hour bathhouses, camp store, and canoe and kayak rentals. Five cabins are also available to reserve; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table.

Pawtuckaway Campground Map, Information & Policies

Reserve a Campsite

Camping Information

Pawtuckaway State Park Campground lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake. Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets. 24 hour showers are available on Big Island and Horse Island. There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayak rentals are available, as well as a public canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

Onsite check-in is required at Office during the Main Season, which runs from the Friday before Memorial Day to in May through Labor Day in September, and at other times when the park is staffed.

Attention: Campsite Closure 2024:

Horse and Big Island campgrounds are open through September 15th. Neals Cove and Group Camping will be open for primitive camping through October 27th. Bathrooms will be available, but showers are closed. See our ARPA Campsite Improvement Project

Alcohol is prohibited at the Pawtuckaway State Park Beach Area

Youth Group Camping

Let NH State Parks set the stage for your group’s next adventure.
Youth Camping Sites can only be booked through the Concord Office by calling 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 Pawtuckaway State Park?

Leashed pets are welcome on hiking trails only. Pets are NOT permitted in the campground or beach area during the summer season (May 1 - September 30). *Campers are only allowed to bring pets before May 1 and after September 30, which includes the cabins. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

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 .

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.

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