Bear Brook State Park

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Check beach advisories here
61Deerfield Road Allenstown, NH 03275
Park Office: 603-485-9874
Campground: 603-485-9869
Email: christina.pacuk@dncr.nh.gov
 

Activities and Amenities

Camping

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.

Make a Reservation

Book your trip to 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.

Hiking Reservations

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.

More About the Park

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).

The Museum Complex 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.  

The CCC Museum will be open every Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-2 pm. It can also be opened by calling the park for an appointment.

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.

Notice: Pets Must Be Leashed
Pets must be leashed at all times within the park. Leashed pets are permitted in the campground and on the trails only, not in the beach area. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

Operating Schedule

Fee Days/Hours:
Adults: $4
Children (6-11): $2
Trails: 5/6/22 - unstaffed after 11/13/2022

Off season use: This park is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting. 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.
 

Fees

Admission is $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free. Season passes are available. When park is unstaffed during the season, please use Iron Ranger (self-serve paystation). Rates are for the 2021 season and are subject to change.

Camping at Bear Brook

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.

Reserve a Campsite

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

Primitive Camping Season:  
Saturday & Sunday: open 8 am - 8 pm
Monday -Friday: open 8 am -10 am & 4 pm - 8 pm

Bear Brook Campground Map
Bear Brook Campground Information/Policies 
 
Campground Dates -  Office Hours Camping Rate Per Night
CLOSED    

Beach Advisories

For listings of current advisories, please visit the State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services Beach Advisories website page.

Pavilion Rental

For information on this parks pavilion rental please visit NH State Parks : Welcome.

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 for All webpage at www.nhstateparks.org/news-events/accessibility. For more information on specific accessibilty needs or questions, please contact the individual park office directly.
 
Notice: Drone Use is Restricted
Drone use is restricted at all NH State Parks. Drone operators are not permitted to take off or land within NH State Park boundaries.

Management Plan Committee

Bear Brook State Park Management Plan, 2021 - FINAL 

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.