If you are looking for a way to experience the New Hampshire outdoors for a few nights without having to spend a ton of time driving way up into the White Mountains, then camping in Pawtuckaway State Park is a fantastic option. This park has a ton of campsites along with the convenience of being close to amazing hiking. Additionally, the nearby lake provides a great place to cool off on a hot summer day!
We put this guide together to provide an overview of the best camping in Pawtuckaway State Park as well as give you some tips on what to do while you are here!
PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK CAMPGROUNDS: OVERVIEW
There is one large campground in Pawtuckaway State Park. The campground is fantastic-it has plenty of sites for large RV’s, tents and everything in between. There are even cabins as well as remote campsites that are worth checking out.
PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK CAMPING SUPPLIES
There are a couple of options for getting supplies while you are camping at Pawtuckaway State Park. The best option is to be sure you are stocked up ahead of getting into the park. The best option for doing that is to go shopping in Raymond, NH, which is nearby Highway-101 and only about 4 miles away. Here you’ll find grocery stores, fast food restaurants, gas stations and most of what you will need. The nearest “big box” stores (for RV supplies and camping equipment) are in Epping, NH.
If you just need a few things to be used around the campsite (marshmallows, firewood), then there is a small camp store on-site. You can also head just south of the park on Mountain Road and visit the well-stocked Mountain Road Trading Post.
Map of Pawtuckaway State Park, courtesy of New Hampshire State Parks
PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK CAMPGROUND: DETAILS AND CAMPGROUND MAP
Map of Pawtuckaway State Park Campground, courtesy of New Hampshire State Parks
Pawtuckaway State Park Campground
- Accessible via: Vehicle.
- 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.
- Nearby: The campground is situated right in the middle of the park and nearby a ton of things to do! Swimming in Pawtuckaway Lake is super popular. If you have a boat, then you can launch the boat or kayak and explore the islands of the lake as well. Our favorite thing to do in the park is hike. Some of the nearby hiking trails include the South Mountain Lookout Trail which heads to a fire tower with stunning views. You can also head to North Mountain or just take it easy on the Round Pond Tail to South Ridge. We cover all the hikes in the park in our blog on Hiking in Pawtuckaway State Park. You can read more about the park (including reservations and other things to know before you go) in our blog, Things to Do in Pawtuckaway State Park.
- Additional details: In addition to the normal campsites for RV’s and tents, there are also small cabins for rent. The campground is beautiful, but be advised that you won’t have any access to hookups or a dump station, so just come prepared. There are ample spots to get water throughout the park as well as showers. The campground is also very popular, so be advised that you should attempt to get reservations well in advance!
PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK GROUP CAMPING
There is no group camping offered at Pawtuckaway State Park. However, there is a group pavilion that can be rented for day-use events.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Be sure to check out our blog on Things to Do in Pawtuckaway State Park and Hiking in Pawtuckaway State Park.
- You may also want to check out the other articles we have in our New Hampshire blogs.
- When you return from your weekend away, send us a few photos and we’ll create a custom, vintage travel poster for you, using your photo and your own custom wording!
