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winter rec collage at parks fat biking in winter

Winter Recreation

Visiting NH State Parks in Winter
Winter offers a unique opportunity for memorable outdoor adventures and New Hampshire State Parks have plenty of ways for visitors to stay active and enjoy the breathtaking scenery during the cold months. Our park properties are always open for recreation unless otherwise posted so you can continue to enjoy your favorite recreational activites on public lands all winter long. Whether you're snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, ice fishing or camping there are so many ways to experience winter in NH State Parks. Use the resources below to help plan your next winter outing.
skiing at cannon mt skiing at cannon mt
snowmobiling at jericho snowmobiling at jericho
winter hike at cardigan winter hike at cardigan
xc skiing on northern rail trail xc skiing on northern rail trail
snowmobiling at bear brook snowmobiling at bear brook

Winter Use Considerations:

Downhill Skiing

​Nordic Skiing

Overnight Stays

Hiking and Snowshoeing  

​Popular Parks: Additional Resources

Fat Biking

Popular Parks:

Ice Fishing

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.

Additional Resources: NH Fish & Game
How to Stay Safe on the Ice 

Popular Parks:
 
Fish and Game and Public Access Sites to Public Waters: Boat Launch Access is available but not maintained in the winter, please access at your own risk. All public lands mentioned, including State Parks, are Leave No Trace. Please pack your trash out with you when you leave.

See: Access Sites to Public Waters

Snowmobiling

Our Bureau of Trails sends out updates on current snowmobile trail conditions every Thursday. You can subscribe to our trail report e-mail list on our Trail Conditions webpage. Riders should also check local club websites for area information.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL CONDITIONS
 

Mushing

New Hampshire has a long history of mushing, dating back to the early 1900s. In modern times mushing has become both a recreational and competitive pursuit, but back then sled dogs were used primarily for transportation purposes.

Today, you can see dog teams and mushers out on multi-use trails training for a race, or just out enjoying the scenery and doing what they love. If you encounter a musher and team of dogs on the trail, please give them plenty of space and approach the team only if the musher says it's okay to do so.

Not all trails and areas are open and suitable for snowmushing, and many parking areas may not accommodate large trailers. Please check our Mushing  page or contact The NH Mushers Association

To ensure a pleasurable and safe visit for both snow mushers and park visitors, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Division of Parks and Recreation's Rules  and Trail Etiquette.

Please check the NH State Park and Rail Trail pages for the snowmushers symbol and for parking areas.

mushing.gif

New England Sled Dog Club
Contact the NH Mushers Association
Dog Sledding History & Dog Sled Making

Winter Access and Parking

Seacoast Region

Hampton Beach State Park
  • South beach: Parking available, partially plowed, bathrooms closed.
  • Main beach: All parking available pending snow removal. Please follow posted signage in regards to parking when winter weather is expected. No fee required. Bathrooms open at Seashell, and by the Lady of the Sea monument.
North Beach: Partially plowed, reduced parking with snowfall. Bathroom open (High St), no fee required.
North Hampton State Beach: Partially plowed, bathrooms closed, no fee required.
Jenness State Beach: Partially plowed, bathrooms closed, no fee required.
Rye Harbor State Park: Partially plowed, gates open, bathrooms closed, no fee required, donations accepted via self-serve iron ranger.
Odiorne Point State Park: Main lot plowed, boat launch not plowed, bathrooms available at Seacoast Science Center on weekends only. Fee required via self-serve station midweek, fee collected at Science Center on weekends.

South Region 

Monadnock State Park: In operation with services and facilites. Winter camping available. Reservations required for hiking.
Bear Brook State Park: Parking lots open (Podunk Road), plowed and pit toilets provided  
Pawtuckaway State Park: Main parking lot open and plowed (at Visitors Center), pit toilets provided. Round Pond Road and Tower Road are not maintained in winter, gates may be closed and there is no access when roads are snow covered. 
Miller State Park: Parking lot plowed and pit toilets provided
Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area: Parking lot open, plowed and pit toilets provided
Northwood Meadows State Park: Parking lots open, plowed and pit toilets provided
Greenfield State Park: Open for walk-in use (small parking area outside gate), no facilities.
Silver Lake State Park: Parking lot open and plowed, no facilities.  
Kingston State Park: Open for walk-in use (roadside parking), no facilites
Clough State Park: Open for walk-in use (roadside parking), no facilites
Pisgah State Park: Open for walk-in use (roadside parking), no facilites
Rhododendron State Park: Open for walk-in use (roadside parking), no facilites

Central Region

Crawford Notch State Park: Arethusa Falls parking lot open and plowed, no facilities.
Cathedral Ledge State Park: Parking lot open and plowed (space limited below Auto Road gate) , no facilities.
White Lake State Park: Parking lot open and plowed (main lot at Visitor Center), no facilities.
Wellington State Park: Parking lot open and plowed, no facilities.
Mt Sunapee State Park:  Sunapee Beach parking lot open and plowed, no facilities.
Ahern State Park:  Parking lot not plowed, walk-in traffic only, no facilities.
*All other Central Region Parks are open for walk-in use with limited parking and no facilites

Franconia Notch State Park

Cannon Mountain Ski Area: In operation with services and facilites. Reservations required for skiing.
Parking at Other Sites in the Park :​
Flume Gorge: Parking lots open and partially plowed with no facilites.
The Basin: Parking lots open and plowed with no facilites.
Old Bridle Path: Parking lots open and plowed with no facilites.
Cannon Aerial Tramway: Parking lots open and partially plowed with no facilites.
Boise Rock: Northbound only - plowed with pit toilets provided.
Lafayette Place: Parking lots open and plowed with pit toilets provided. Self-serve winter camping available.
Profile Lake: Southbound only - parking lots open and plowed with no facilites.

Great North Woods Region

Lodges at Coleman State Park: In operation with services and facilites. Lodging available with reservations as well as camper cabins.
Lake Francis State Park: Parking lots open, plowed and pit toilets provided
Moose Brook State Park: Parking lots open, plowed and pit toilets provided
Jericho Mountain State Park: Parking lots open and plowed, no facilities.
Connecticut Lake Headwaters Working Forest: Parking lots open and plowed, no facilities.
Milan Hill State Park: Parking lots open and plowed, no facilites. Nordic Ski Trails open and maintained by Nansen Ski Club.
Seal of the State of New Hampshire © NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
172 Pembroke Road Concord, NH 03301