Just north of Highway 101 in Nottingham, NH, Pawtuckaway State Park is a great nature hideaway that is known for great camping, hiking, beachgoing and boating. Situated against Pawtuckaway Lake, the park attracts visitors who enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. Though most popular in the warmer months, we have enjoyed Pawtuckaway State Park in all seasons of the year, from the most crowded summer months to colorful and cool fall days, from wintertime snowshoeing to springtime hiking.
Pawtuckaway State Park contains nearly 5000 acres and hosts just over 1 million visitors annually.
Since there is plenty to see and do in Pawtuckaway, we put together this guide to help you get the most out of your visit to the park. We’ll include a bit about camping, cover the hiking trails that we love as well as what else there is to do in the park!
ACTIVITIES IN PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK
Pawtuckaway State Park map, courtesy of New Hampshire State Parks
Whether you plan on visiting for an afternoon, a full day or spend a week camping, you are sure to find something for everyone at Pawtuckaway State Park. Most of what you do in the park can be done without a ton of prior planning, but we do recommend arriving early, especially if you are coming on the weekend in the summer.
When visiting Pawtuckaway State Park, our recommendations for what to do include:
- Swimming. Spending time on the beach and swimming in the park is a great way to spend an afternoon. The beach faces to the west, so the sun will be strongest in the afternoon. There is shade in the area if you choose. The beach facilities are great, as it has a playground and a newly built restroom building. If you do plan on visiting, we highly recommend getting reservations for the beach / day-use area. You can get reservations 30 days in advance: Pawtuckaway State Park Day Use Reservations
- Boating. Pawtuckaway Lake is nearly 800 acres that was created by two dams. Boating on the lake is popular, but the lake does have glacier boulders hidden under the surface of the water, so be careful and watch your speed. The boat launch is located at Fundy Cove at the end of Fundy Road on the north side of the lake.
- Kayaking and Paddling. Exploring around the lake by paddling is a ton of fun as there are islands, coves and interesting landmarks to explore. You can launch your kayak at Fundy Cove to the north or at Neals Cove from inside the park. It’s also possible to launch from many of the campsites at the park. Be advised that the land on the east side of the lake is private, so landing a kayak on that side isn’t allowed. You can also rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards at Neals Cove.
THE BEST HIKES IN PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK
One of our favorite activities in Pawtuckaway State Park is to hike! The park has over 30 miles of trails through the forest, with many containing impressive views of the surrounding area (including the lake). Trails exist for those that are avid hikers as well as those looking to get out for less than an hour.
The park has a network of trails, and you can head out and hit one trail and then another set of trails if you have the energy.
If you do plan on visiting and hiking, we do recommend getting reservations ahead of time. You can get reservations up to 30 days in advance: Pawtuckaway State Park hiking reservations
Our recommended hikes in Pawtuckaway State Park include:
- South Mountain Lookout Trail. Everyone wants to have a hike end with a great view, and hiking to the Pawtuckaway Fire Tower is a great end point to do so! On this moderate hike, you’ll travel about 4.6-miles (round-trip) with an elevation gain of 820 feet. The hike starts by heading down the Mountain Trail and is relatively flat before turning to the north at the 0.5-mile point (you’ll stay on the Mountain Trail). You’ll then start to gain elevation slowly before reaching the turnoff point at the 1.8-mile point. Here you’ll take a right on the South Ridge Trail and head up in elevation quickly before reaching the Fire Tower. From here you’ll have great 360-degree views. There are a number of spots to stop and take a break or eat your lunch. You can come back the same way you came, or you can keep heading to the east for 0.2-miles before turning back to the left (west), eventually meeting up with the trail you came in on. This extends the hike to 5.0-miles. The South Mountain Lookout trailhead starts near Mountain Brook Pond off State Park Road. Note: You can also combine this trail with the North and South Mountain Loop, but the length increases to 9.5-miles (round-trip) and 1670 feet of elevation gain.
- North and South Mountain Loop. If you are in for a bit of a longer hike, this is a great option. At 6.1-miles (round-trip) with a total elevation gain of 1300 feet, this hike hits two peaks. You can hike in either direction, and this hike is highlighted by the Pawtuckaway Fire Tower on South Mount Pawtuckaway as well as the view from North Mount Pawtuckaway, which is over 1000 feet in elevation. Most of the inclines are not too steep, but they do get steeper as you approach each of the peaks. The North and South Mountain Loop starts at the end of Reservation Road on the east side of the park, but you can really start hiking this trail in a number of places throughout the loop.
- North Mountain Loop Trail. If you don’t have time to hike both to North and South Mountains, then this is a great moderate trail. At 5.0-miles (round-trip) with an elevation gain of 860 feet, this trail gets you to the top of North Mountain. Start by hiking to the north on the North Mountain Trail before hiking up to the ridge and getting to the top of North Mount Pawtuckaway at the 1.4-mile point. You can turn around here or keep heading east for the full loop, coming back on the North Mountain Bypass Trail. The North Mountain Loop starts at the end of Reservation Road on the east side of the park.
- Mountain Trail to South Ridge Trail Loop. This easy/moderate hike is a 1.5-mile (round-trip) loop that climbs just over 410 feet to the top of South Pawtuckaway Mountain. From the parking lot, the fastest way up to the Fire Tower is to take the Tower Trail. You’ll reach the peak at the 0.4-mile point. You can turn around here or make a loop out of it by heading down the South Ridge Trail and back to the parking area on the Connector Trail / Mountain Trail. The Tower trailhead starts at the parking area on Tower Road.
- South Mountain and Woronoco Loop Trail. This moderate/hard hike travels 7.6-miles (round-trip) and gains just over 1030 feet. After hiking up the Pawtuckaway Fire Tower, continue down from the peak on the South Ridge Trail before returning back on the flat Shaw Trail and Split Rock Trail before finally picking up the Woronoco Trail and heading back to the parking area. This trail has great views from the fire tower, but the rest of the walk is in the woods and is known for being both muddy and buggy in certain times of the year. The trailhead starts near Mountain Brook Pond off State Park Road.
- Round Pond Trail to South Ridge. This is a different approach to the Pawtuckaway Fire Tower. This 4.5-mile (round-trip) moderate trail starts by heading west on the Round Pond Trail. You’ll pass by Round Pond before turning south and picking up the South Ridge Trail and then climbing up to South Ridge. The elevation gain is about 790 feet. The Round Pond Trailhead is at the end of Round Pond Road off Deerfield Road.
There are several other walks / hikes to consider and you can learn more about these using the Pawtuckaway State Park hiking map and guide.
HOW TO GET TO PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK AND OTHER TRAVEL INFORMATION
Pawtuckaway State Park is relatively easy to get to. You’ll likely find that getting on Highway 101 is the best way, but be advised that this highway can be pretty busy during rush hour.
- Here are directions from Manchester, NH to Pawtuckaway State Park. This is about 21 miles and will take you about 25 minutes.
- Here are directions from Portsmouth, NH to Pawtuckaway State Park. This will take about 27 minutes to travel the 30 miles.
ENTRANCE FEES AND REQUIRED PASSES FOR PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK
A day-use pass is required, which costs around $5 per person, with discounts given for children. Seniors are free. You can pay when you get to the park, but a reservation is recommended if you plan on hiking or heading to the beach in the summer. You can get Pawtuckaway State Park hiking reservations 30 days in advance, as well as Pawtuckaway State Park Day Use Reservations 30 days in advance.
PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK CAMPING
There one campground at Pawtuckaway State Park, and it’s large. Here you’ll find sites for RV’s, cabins, tents and even remote sites. Be sure to get reservations well in advance! Many sites have access to water, which allows you to launch a canoe or kayak right from your site!
Pawtuckaway State Park Campground:
- Accessible via: Car.
- Reservations: Offered May through October. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground Reservations.
- Capacity: 190 sites.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: No / No / No.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and showers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK
Pawtuckaway State Park is open all year round. However, summertime is the most popular so you can take advantage of hiking when the trails are relatively dry as well as enjoy time on the water. The park can be busy and crowded in the summer. Fall is perhaps the “best” time to visit (in our opinion) as it is less crowded during the week, the colors are “popping” and bugs are kept at bay so you can just enjoy the outdoors. Be advised that springtime can be pretty muddy and the black flies are out, but the park is quiet this time of year too!
VISITING PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK IN THE WINTER
The park is open year-round, but facilities are very limited once the colder months come. The park is mainly open from early April through mid-October. Camping is primitive until May, but facilities may be open through October should the weather stay warm as it has been in more recent years.
Winter is a great time to visit and hike in particular. Trails are lightly traveled, and it’s not rare to hike here and only see a few others on cold winter days. Be prepared and bring plenty of cold weather gear, food and foot traction and/or snowshoes to enable easier travel on the hiking trails.
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK?
Pets are allowed year-round on the hiking trails, provided they are leashed. During the summertime season (May 1 through September 30), pets are not allowed in the campground or on the beach. Outside of these dates, pets are allowed on leashes.
RELATED INFORMATION ON PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK AND THE SURROUNDING AREA FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Be sure to check out our other blogs on New Hampshire public lands!
- Be sure to send us a photo or two when you get back and we’ll create a custom, vintage travel poster with your own personalized wording!
