Pawtuckaway State Park

Check beach advisories here

7 Pawtuckaway Road
Nottingham, NH 03290
Phone: 603-895-3031

Activities and Amenities

Camping

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.

CAMPER NOTICE: Camping will transition to a primitive season starting 10/18 due to weather conditions. At that time, campers will no longer have access to flush toilets or potable water. Pit toilets will remain available.

Make a Reservation

Book your trip to 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.

Hiking Reservations
Beach 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 (requires a $1 transaction fee).

NH Senior Citizens: To receive a discount at our per person fee locations, enter the number of NH Seniors in the vehicle/occupant information section of the order details page, rather than the number of adults.

Operating Schedule

Dates and times are weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For up to date hours, please call the park directly.

Dates/Hours	Fee
Open daily 9 am - 5 pm Beach closing: 9/25/2022 Gates close either 12/15/22, or at first snowfall.	Adults: $5 Children (6-11): $2

The park is always open for recreation unless otherwise posted. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed, comfort stations are not available and gates may be closed. The iron ranger is available in the front of the office to accept required fees and any donations, when the park is not staffed.

Fees

Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under, NH residents ages 65 and older with a valid ID are admitted for free; season passes are also available. When the park is unstaffed during the off-season, donations are accepted through the day-use iron ranger.

Boat Rentals	Full Day
Tandem Kayaks, Canoes, & Paddleboards	$20 per hour, $50 for half day, $85 for full day
Single Kayaks	$15 per hour, $50 for half day, $85 for full day
Kids Kayaks	$10 per hour, $50 for half day, $85 for full day
*We recommend that visitors bring their own lifejackets as well.

Beach Advisories

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

Alcohol is prohibited at the Pawtuckaway State Park Beach Area

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.

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. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers. 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. Reservations made be made online through ReserveAmerica or by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-647-2757. Reservations for organized groups camping are required and should be made by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-647-2757.

Reserve a Campsite

Campground Schedule:

Campground Dates	Office Hours	Camping Rate Per Night
Primitive Camping: 4/8 - 5/5 & 10/10 - 10/29 Camping: 5/6 - 10/9/2022		Primitive: $23/site $25 - 30/site

Fees for campsites cover two adults and are $25 on Big Island inland sites and $30 on all other sites. There is a $10 fee per night for each extra adult, this fee will be paid at the park upon check-in. Campsites are limited to 4 adults, except on designated family campsites and in the cabins. Cabins are $65 per night.

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.

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 1st and after September 30th. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

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 accessibility 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 take off or land or within NH State Park boundaries.