Hours & Fees

Pawtuckaway State Park charges $5 for adults 12 and over and $2 for children 6 to 11. Children 5 and under get in free, and so do New Hampshire residents 65 and older with a valid NH license. The park is open for recreation all year unless a closure is posted, but it is only staffed in season. In 2026 the beach went unstaffed on September 27, and the hiking side goes unstaffed on November 12. The park office is open Sunday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 8 pm.

Day-Use Fees

Pawtuckaway is one of the five New Hampshire state parks that NH State Parks classes as high use, and it charges the higher day-use rate: $5 for adults and $2 for youth 6 to 11. The fee is per person, not per car. Booking a beach or hiking pass online adds a $1 transaction fee; see reservations.

Who Gets In Free

• Children 5 and under, with a ticketed adult.
• New Hampshire residents 65 and over, with an NH driver's license or state ID.
• New Hampshire resident retired veterans (20 years of service) and their spouses or surviving spouses, with military ID and proof of residency.
• Active-duty military of any state, for themselves, with military ID, and members of the New Hampshire National Guard.
• Holders of the National Parks Access Pass for people with permanent disabilities, plus one guest.
• Cars with a New Hampshire State Parks license plate, for the car and its passengers.

NH State Parks does not accept the federal America the Beautiful Senior, Annual or Military passes.

Season Passes

If you'll visit often, a season pass covers the NH day-use parks that charge a per-person fee, Pawtuckaway included (Flume Gorge excepted). Passes run one year from the date you buy them. They don't cover camping, and they don't guarantee entry when the park is full.

• Individual: $60 ($64.50 with shipping)
• Resident family, 2 adults and up to 4 dependents, NH residency required: $105 ($109.50 with shipping)
• Non-resident family, 2 adults and up to 4 dependents: $120 ($124.50 with shipping)
• Individual youth, one child 6 to 11: $25, by phone at 603-271-3556

NH State Parks also sells coupon books, $30 of day-use coupons for $24, that never expire.

Seasons and Staffing in 2026

• Beach: staffed through the summer; unstaffed from September 27.
• Campground: primitive camping from October 12; last night October 24.
• Hiking: unstaffed from November 12.

These are the 2026 dates NH State Parks posted. Its current schedule is on the operating schedules page, linked from the park page; check it before a spring or fall trip.

Off-Season Visits

Pawtuckaway is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting. Outside staffed hours and in the off-season, though, there is usually no staff, restrooms are closed, and gates may be shut. NH State Parks says off-season visitors should have the knowledge, skill and equipment to keep themselves safe, and that they assume all risk.

Park Office Hours

The office, at 128 Mountain Rd., Nottingham, NH 03290, is open Sunday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 8 pm, and the phone number is (603) 895-3031. NH State Parks notes the hours are subject to change, so call ahead if your visit depends on them. In primitive season the store and office hours may be limited.