Pawtuckaway Campground
The Pawtuckaway State Park campground has 192 wooded campsites and 5 cabins along the shore of Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham, New Hampshire, and many sites look out on the water. Every site has an open fire ring, a picnic table, a flat spot for a tent and a parking space. There are 24-hour bathhouses, a camp store and canoe and kayak rentals, but no electric or water hookups and no RV dump station. In 2026 a standard site cost $35 a night and a waterfront site $40.
The Campground at a Glance
Big Island, Horse Island and Neals Cove
The park's campground map divides the sites among three areas on the lake: Big Island, Horse Island and Neals Cove. NH State Parks says the 24-hour showers are on Big Island and Horse Island. The map marks one area near Neals Cove as having toilets but no showers, so check the map before you pick a site if a shower matters to you.
Horse Island also has the campground's own boat launch, which the map limits to registered campers. A public canoe and kayak launch is in the main park; see boating. The campground map shows the Big Island Loop Trail, and the Fundy Trail along Burnham's Marsh begins across the road from the entrance to the group picnic and camping areas; see hiking.
What a Campsite Costs
NH State Parks sets camping rates statewide by site type. For 2026 it listed $35 a night for a standard site and $40 for a waterfront site. The nightly rate covers two adults and up to four children. Each extra adult is $10 a night. New Hampshire residents 65 and older get $5 off the site fee per night, except on holidays and holiday minimum-stay weekends. A non-refundable reservation fee is added when you book online or by phone.
Rates change, and NH State Parks says so on its rates page. Treat these as a guide and confirm the price on the booking screen. How to book, and the cancellation rules, are on the reservations page.
Pawtuckaway Cabins
There are 5 camper cabins, numbered C1 to C5 on the campground map. Each sleeps 6 people, has electricity, and comes with a fire ring and picnic table outside. The 2026 rate was $65 a night, which covers one to six people. NH State Parks allows leashed pets in the cabins at Pawtuckaway.
Season and Check-In
The main season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, and in those months you check in at the park office when you arrive. Check-in is after 1 pm and check-out is by 11 am. In 2026 the campground switched to primitive camping on October 12, and the last night was October 24. In primitive season, flush toilets and running water may be off, portable toilets are put out, and the store and office keep shorter hours.
Campground Rules That Catch People Out
- Two cars maximum on a standard site. Extra cars park at the visitor center or beach lots.
- Quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am. Generators may run only 9 am to noon and 5 pm to 8 pm.
- Day guests pay the day-use fee at the tollbooth and may visit from 8 am to 10 pm.
- Do not bring firewood from out of state. It can carry invasive insects and tree diseases.
- Fires stay in the fire ring and must be out by 11:30 pm. No trash burning.
- Set up tents on the dirt pad by the table and fireplace, and don't drive nails into trees.
- Raccoons open coolers. Lock food in your vehicle at night and never feed the wildlife or ducks.
- You carry your trash and recycling to the dump area yourself.
- The longest stay is 14 days, statewide.
Youth Group Camping
The youth group camping area is booked only through the NH State Parks office in Concord at 603-271-3556, weekdays 9 am to 4 pm. A $25 deposit holds the site and the rest is paid at check-in. RVs are not allowed in the youth group areas.
Good For
- Tent campers who want a lake view and a short walk to the water.
- Families: the nightly rate covers two adults and four children, and the beach and playground are in the park.
- Paddlers. Rentals and a launch are on site.
Maybe Skip If
- You need power or water at your RV site. Pawtuckaway has no hookups and no dump station.
- You want to camp in the backcountry. Camping is allowed only in the campground, in season.
- You are bringing a dog for a beach day. Dogs are allowed in the campground but never on the beach.
Useful Numbers
- Park office: (603) 895-3031
- Park tollbooth: (603) 895-0726
- Reservations, ReserveAmerica NH call center: 1-877-647-2757
- Emergency: 911. Nottingham Police: (603) 679-1506
Camping at Pawtuckaway
Pawtuckaway State Park Campground FAQ
How many campsites does Pawtuckaway State Park have?
192 wooded campsites plus 5 cabins, spread over Big Island, Horse Island and Neals Cove on Pawtuckaway Lake. Many sites have water views.
Does Pawtuckaway campground have hookups?
No. There are no electric or water hookups at any campsite and no RV dump station. The cabins have electricity.
Are dogs allowed at Pawtuckaway campground?
Yes. NH State Parks allows leashed, supervised pets in the campground and cabins. Pets are never allowed in the beach area.
How much is a campsite at Pawtuckaway?
In 2026 NH State Parks charged $35 a night for a standard site, $40 for a waterfront site and $65 for a cabin, plus a booking fee. The site rate covers two adults and up to four children.
When does Pawtuckaway campground close?
In 2026 the campground went to primitive camping on October 12 and the last night was October 24. The full-service main season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Where are the showers at Pawtuckaway?
NH State Parks says the 24-hour showers are on Big Island and Horse Island. Bathhouses have running water and flush toilets.