New Hampshire is full of natural beauty, much of it found in the state parks system. With tons of parks scattered throughout the Granite State (93, actually), there is no excuse for missing out on an adventure in the parks system. It’s hard to choose favorites, but we’ve highlighted eight awe-inspiring places that you shouldn’t miss. From the famous to the forgotten, each of these parks are definitely worth a visit! Here are some of our favorite state parks in New Hampshire:
- Crawford Notch State Park, Harts Location
Jim Liestman/Flickr
page/Flickr With nearly 6,000 acres to explore, Crawford Notch is packed with adventure. Full of waterfalls, streams, and mountains, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Crawford Notch State Park, 1464 US-302, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
- Pawtuckaway State Park, Nottingham
Gerald Azenaro/Flickr
Colleen Prieto/Flickr Pawtuckaway State Park offers something for everyone, with lakes, swamp areas and wooded trails that are rich with wildlife. The park is a popular camping spot, especially with families, and is busy year round with snowmobiles, bikes and more. In terms of natural beauty, this place is unreal. Pawtuckaway State Park, 128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA
- Franconia Notch State Park, Lincoln
Sakeeb Sabakka/Flickr
E. Strathmeyer/Flickr Franconia Notch State Park is quintessential New Hampshire. Straddling a spectacular mountain pass, Franconia Notch State Park is offers swimming, boating, hiking, camping and spectacular views. The park was home to the most famous site in New Hampshire – The Old Man In The Mountain – until it fell. It might just be THE best state park in the entire state. Franconia Notch State Park, Flume Gorge, Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
- Monadnock State Park, Jaffrey
KrisNM/Flickr
Tracy Lee Carroll/Flickr One of the most visited state parks, Monadnock is diverse and accessible, making it the perfect destination for weekend campers and expert hikers alike. Monadnock State Park includes Mount Monadnock, and the surrounding ponds, which are perfect for camping. Monadnock State Park, 169 Poole Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA
- Ellacoya State Park, Gilford
Rickpilot_2000/Flickr
Rickpilot_2000/Flickr Ellacoya State Park is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire. With a sandy beach, fishing spots, picnic tables, and RV camping, Ellacoya State Park is a summer oasis for New Hampshire families. Ellacoya State Park, 280 Scenic Dr, Gilford, NH 03249, USA
- Bedell Bridge State Historic Site, Haverhill
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Doug Kerr/Flickr Bedell Bridge blew down in 1979, but where it once stood, along the Connecticut River that runs between New Hampshire and Vermont is now a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. Whether you want to have a picnic or launch your boat into the Connecticut, Bedell Bridge is the perfect site for you in western New Hampshire. Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill, NH 03765, USA
- Odiorne Point State Park, Rye
mgstanton/Flickr
Colleen Prieto/Flickr Odiorne Point State Park is a jewel on the New Hampshire seacoast. The park offers the rock pools where children will delight in finding starfish and crabs, as well as the remnants of early 20th-century military fortresses. Some of New Hampshire’s best hiking is found here, too! Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870, USA
- Weeks State Park, Lancaster
alans1948/Flickr
alans1948/Flickr Set atop Mount Prospect, Weeks State Park is situated on the former estate of John Wingate Weeks, a former congressman and senator from New Hampshire. The park offers amazing views over the White Mountains and beyond. Week’s State Park Road, Week’s State Park Rd, Lancaster, NH 03584, USA
Which is your favorite state park in New Hampshire? Tell us your picks in the comments!
Jim Liestman/Flickr
page/Flickr
With nearly 6,000 acres to explore, Crawford Notch is packed with adventure. Full of waterfalls, streams, and mountains, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
Crawford Notch State Park, 1464 US-302, Hart’s Location, NH 03812, USA
Gerald Azenaro/Flickr
Colleen Prieto/Flickr
Pawtuckaway State Park offers something for everyone, with lakes, swamp areas and wooded trails that are rich with wildlife. The park is a popular camping spot, especially with families, and is busy year round with snowmobiles, bikes and more. In terms of natural beauty, this place is unreal.
Pawtuckaway State Park, 128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA
Sakeeb Sabakka/Flickr
E. Strathmeyer/Flickr
Franconia Notch State Park is quintessential New Hampshire. Straddling a spectacular mountain pass, Franconia Notch State Park is offers swimming, boating, hiking, camping and spectacular views. The park was home to the most famous site in New Hampshire – The Old Man In The Mountain – until it fell. It might just be THE best state park in the entire state.
Franconia Notch State Park, Flume Gorge, Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
KrisNM/Flickr
Tracy Lee Carroll/Flickr
One of the most visited state parks, Monadnock is diverse and accessible, making it the perfect destination for weekend campers and expert hikers alike. Monadnock State Park includes Mount Monadnock, and the surrounding ponds, which are perfect for camping.
Monadnock State Park, 169 Poole Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA
Rickpilot_2000/Flickr
Ellacoya State Park is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire. With a sandy beach, fishing spots, picnic tables, and RV camping, Ellacoya State Park is a summer oasis for New Hampshire families.
Ellacoya State Park, 280 Scenic Dr, Gilford, NH 03249, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Bedell Bridge blew down in 1979, but where it once stood, along the Connecticut River that runs between New Hampshire and Vermont is now a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. Whether you want to have a picnic or launch your boat into the Connecticut, Bedell Bridge is the perfect site for you in western New Hampshire.
Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill, NH 03765, USA
mgstanton/Flickr
Odiorne Point State Park is a jewel on the New Hampshire seacoast. The park offers the rock pools where children will delight in finding starfish and crabs, as well as the remnants of early 20th-century military fortresses. Some of New Hampshire’s best hiking is found here, too!
Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870, USA
alans1948/Flickr
Set atop Mount Prospect, Weeks State Park is situated on the former estate of John Wingate Weeks, a former congressman and senator from New Hampshire. The park offers amazing views over the White Mountains and beyond.
Week’s State Park Road, Week’s State Park Rd, Lancaster, NH 03584, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in New Hampshire February 23, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best state parks in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a small state, but it’s jam-packed with state parks – 93, to be exact. It’s not surprising, though, considering just how beautiful this state is. Folks come from around the nation (and sometimes the world) to check out our amazing state parks, and with so many, it can feel impossible to choose which ones to visit first. May we suggest the most beloved state parks in New Hampshire to start? What better way to begin than with the places visitors themselves have decided en masse are the best, right? Some of the most beloved and highly rated state parks in New Hampshire include Franconia Notch State Park, a place filled with outrageous beauty and excellent for nature lovers to get out and enjoy. Pawtuckaway State Park has an awe-inspiring, crystal-clear lake, among other things, to enjoy. Mt. Washington State Park is a favorite among mountain climbers and experienced hikers, and Monadnock State Park is breathtaking year-round. No matter which parks you go to first, you’re in for a treat; New Hampshire is incredibly beautiful, and our parks are a great way to explore that beauty. What are the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire? New Hampshire: tiny state, huge outdoors. On top of the 93 state parks scattered all over the place, there are some truly amazing hikes, too – most of which are in those very parks. In fact, there are more than 1,800 amazing trails for hiking, biking, walking, and running, and each one varies in terms of length and difficulty. Interestingly, the most popular trail in New Hampshire is one of the hardest; the Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is 9.3 rugged miles of incredible landscape, and well worth the effort. It’s an awesome day hike and makes for a great time – just make sure you’re ready to dedicate a day to it! The Mount Willard Trail is considerably easier and a lot shorter, at 3.1 miles in length. It’s rated as moderate, so most hikers ought to be able to conquer that one. Looking for an easy afternoon? Check out the Flume Gorge Trail, which is located in Franconia Notch SP and is 2.2 miles of easy wandering. Check this article out for some of New Hampshire’s most iconic trails that are good for beginners.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in New Hampshire
February 23, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best state parks in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a small state, but it’s jam-packed with state parks – 93, to be exact. It’s not surprising, though, considering just how beautiful this state is. Folks come from around the nation (and sometimes the world) to check out our amazing state parks, and with so many, it can feel impossible to choose which ones to visit first. May we suggest the most beloved state parks in New Hampshire to start? What better way to begin than with the places visitors themselves have decided en masse are the best, right? Some of the most beloved and highly rated state parks in New Hampshire include Franconia Notch State Park, a place filled with outrageous beauty and excellent for nature lovers to get out and enjoy. Pawtuckaway State Park has an awe-inspiring, crystal-clear lake, among other things, to enjoy. Mt. Washington State Park is a favorite among mountain climbers and experienced hikers, and Monadnock State Park is breathtaking year-round. No matter which parks you go to first, you’re in for a treat; New Hampshire is incredibly beautiful, and our parks are a great way to explore that beauty. What are the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire? New Hampshire: tiny state, huge outdoors. On top of the 93 state parks scattered all over the place, there are some truly amazing hikes, too – most of which are in those very parks. In fact, there are more than 1,800 amazing trails for hiking, biking, walking, and running, and each one varies in terms of length and difficulty. Interestingly, the most popular trail in New Hampshire is one of the hardest; the Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is 9.3 rugged miles of incredible landscape, and well worth the effort. It’s an awesome day hike and makes for a great time – just make sure you’re ready to dedicate a day to it! The Mount Willard Trail is considerably easier and a lot shorter, at 3.1 miles in length. It’s rated as moderate, so most hikers ought to be able to conquer that one. Looking for an easy afternoon? Check out the Flume Gorge Trail, which is located in Franconia Notch SP and is 2.2 miles of easy wandering. Check this article out for some of New Hampshire’s most iconic trails that are good for beginners.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Hampshire is a small state, but it’s jam-packed with state parks – 93, to be exact. It’s not surprising, though, considering just how beautiful this state is. Folks come from around the nation (and sometimes the world) to check out our amazing state parks, and with so many, it can feel impossible to choose which ones to visit first. May we suggest the most beloved state parks in New Hampshire to start? What better way to begin than with the places visitors themselves have decided en masse are the best, right? Some of the most beloved and highly rated state parks in New Hampshire include Franconia Notch State Park, a place filled with outrageous beauty and excellent for nature lovers to get out and enjoy. Pawtuckaway State Park has an awe-inspiring, crystal-clear lake, among other things, to enjoy. Mt. Washington State Park is a favorite among mountain climbers and experienced hikers, and Monadnock State Park is breathtaking year-round. No matter which parks you go to first, you’re in for a treat; New Hampshire is incredibly beautiful, and our parks are a great way to explore that beauty.
What are the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire: tiny state, huge outdoors. On top of the 93 state parks scattered all over the place, there are some truly amazing hikes, too – most of which are in those very parks. In fact, there are more than 1,800 amazing trails for hiking, biking, walking, and running, and each one varies in terms of length and difficulty. Interestingly, the most popular trail in New Hampshire is one of the hardest; the Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is 9.3 rugged miles of incredible landscape, and well worth the effort. It’s an awesome day hike and makes for a great time – just make sure you’re ready to dedicate a day to it! The Mount Willard Trail is considerably easier and a lot shorter, at 3.1 miles in length. It’s rated as moderate, so most hikers ought to be able to conquer that one. Looking for an easy afternoon? Check out the Flume Gorge Trail, which is located in Franconia Notch SP and is 2.2 miles of easy wandering. Check this article out for some of New Hampshire’s most iconic trails that are good for beginners.
