Monadnock State Park

Park Logo
169 Poole Road
Jaffrey, NH 03452
Phone: 603-532-8862
Email: monadnocksp@dncr.nh.gov

Activities and Amenities

Camping

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.
 

Pets Prohibited
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.

Make a Reservation

Visitors should make a reservation before arriving at the park as parking is limited (especially on nice weekends and holidays). Visitors who arrive without a reservation will be admitted on a first-come/first-serve basis. Space is limited and visitors will be turned away when the park is fully booked .

Reservations can be made prior to arrival and no later than 3pm on the day of your visit, though they often sell out a day or two before a weekend. Please plan ahead in the event the parking areas reach capacity. Visitors are not allowed to park elsewhere and walk into the park.

Reserve America Call Center: 1-877-647-2757

Parking Day Pass Fee: $15 + $1 transaction fee
($15 fee includes admission for 6 occupants in one vehicle)

A parking pass reservation to hike Monandnock guarantees a parking spot when your arrive at the park. Pick a trailhead button below to make a reservation. 

Monadnock HQ Reservations  
169 Poole Rd (Access to main trails - White Dot and White Cross)
Old Toll Road Reservations  
9 Halfway House Rd (Access to White Arrow - no direct access to White Dot)
Gilson Pond Reservations  
585 Dublin Rd (No access to White Dot or White Cross - 6 hour hike)

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.

Operating Schedule

Fee Park Schedule:
$15 per vehicle (see details below) Park headquarters is staffed 7 days a week year-round with occasional exceptions for severe weather.

The Old Toll Road is staffed mid-April through mid-November 13, 7 days a week depending on weather. Weekends-only after 10/30/2022.

The Gilson Pond Area is staffed during camping season fulltime until 10/9, primitive camping from 10/10 - 10/29/2022.
Off season use: All trailheads are always open for hiking unless closed or restricted by posting. During off hours and the off-season, trailheads are typically not staffed, comfort stations are not available and access roads may be impassible. 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.

If  a trailhead is unstaffed, an Iron Ranger is always available for required day-use fees.
Hikers interested in finding out what the conditions are prior to heading out can call the park directly at (603) 532-8862.

Fees

$15 per vehicle, plus a $1 transaction fee for advanced reservations.  Passes are available same-day at the park only if they are not already sold out.

"Parking Passes" and "Day-use reservations" are the same thing.  You do not need 2 separate passes

Camping fees (see below) include day-use of the park.

Camping at Monadnock

Winter, November 1, 2022 - April 13, 2023
  • 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.  The campground road is closed in winter, campers must park in the main hiking parking area and hike their gear to their site (about ¼ mile).
  • Gilson Pond: closed for winter.

2023 Regular Camping Season:

Monadnock HQ: *May 6-October 29, 2023 - Family & adult group camping on sites A-F, up to 10 adults maximum. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-647-2757.
*Youth-group camping is available on sites G - J at Monadnock HQ, reservations made via call center only.

Gilson Pond Campground: Family camping only (no groups). Reservations can be made online or  by calling 1-877-647-2757. 4 Adult  maximum per site.

  • April 14 - May 5: Primitive camping
  • May 6 - Oct. 1: Full facilities
  • Oct. 2 - Oct. 29: Primitive camping

Reserve Campsite at Gilson Pond

Reserve Campsite at Monadnock HQ

Reserve America Call Center: 1-877-647-2757

Out of state firewood is prohibited, but firewood is available to purchase at the park. Camping is only allowed in designated campsites. Camping on the mountain is against state law.

Camping Rate Per Night
Summer:
$25 (no hook-ups), $35 (w/ electric)
Winter: 
$25 (no hook-ups only)

Gilson Pond Campground Map   |  Gilson Pond Campground Information/Policies

Gilson Pond Remote Campground Map  |  Gilson Pond Remote Campground Information/Policies

Monadnock Youth Group Campground Map  |  Monadnock Youth Group Campground Information/Policies

Pavilion Rental

For information on this parks pavilion rental please visit NH State Parks : Welcome.
 
 
Notice: Drone Use is Restricted
Drone use is restricted at all NH State Park. Drone operators are not permitted take off or land within NH State Park boundaries.

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!!