Plan Your Visit
Plan a Pawtuckaway visit around two facts: the beach and lots fill on summer weekend and holiday mornings, and the park has two sides. The beach, campground and rentals are at the main entrance, 128 Mountain Rd., Nottingham, NH 03290; the fire tower trailhead is reached from Route 107 and Reservation Road, with the boulder field on the same back side of the park. Book a beach or hiking pass up to 30 days ahead for a busy day, pack out your own trash, and leave the dog home if you're going to the beach.
Trip Basics
Best Time to Visit
Summer is peak season. Searches for the park in its busiest month run almost three times the yearly average, and NH State Parks warns that the beach often reaches capacity in the morning on weekends and holidays. If you can, come on a weekday. For a weekend, book a pass or arrive early.
Fall visits come with fewer services. The beach was unstaffed from September 27 in 2026, and the campground ran with limited services from October 12. The hiking side stays staffed until November 12. In winter the park is open for recreation but unstaffed, with restrooms closed. Current dates: hours and fees.
A One-Day Plan
- Morning: drive to the hiking side. Take Route 107 to Reservation Road and park at the small South Mountain lot. Walk about 0.4 mile from trailhead #6 to the fire tower on 908-foot South Mountain.
- Late morning: walk among the glacial erratics at the boulder field, just down the road.
- Afternoon: drive around to the main entrance for a swim at the 700-foot beach, or rent a kayak.
- Evening: walk the Fundy Trail along Burnham's Marsh, when NH State Parks says beavers, deer and great blue herons are most active. See hiking.
On a summer weekend, flip it: the beach fills in the morning, so book a beach pass if you want the beach first.
What to Book
- A campsite or cabin: 11 months ahead for summer weekends.
- A beach pass or hiking pass: up to 30 days ahead, $1 booking fee. How: reservations.
- Boat rentals can't be booked. They're first come, first served at the park.
What to Bring
- A bag for your trash. There are no trash cans in the park.
- A printed or saved trail map. Download it from NH State Parks.
- A driver's license if you plan to rent a boat.
- Binoculars for the marsh, as NH State Parks' video suggests.
- Firewood from New Hampshire, never from out of state.
Before You Leave Home
- Check the National Weather Service forecast that NH State Parks links for the park.
- Check the NHDES Healthy Swimming map for beach advisories.
- Leave your hiking plan with someone, as the park's map sheet advises.
If the Park Is Full
NH State Parks names two backups about half an hour away, both state parks with swimming: Kingston State Park and Bear Brook State Park.
Who Pawtuckaway Suits
- Families: free for kids 5 and under, a beach, a playground and a short summit.
- Tent campers who want a lakeside site.
- Boulderers, paddlers, mountain bikers and fire tower collectors.
- Dog owners on the trails, though not at the beach.
Planning FAQ
What is the best time to visit Pawtuckaway State Park?
Summer for swimming and camping, on a weekday if you can. On weekends and holidays the beach often fills in the morning. In fall the beach goes unstaffed in late September.
How much time do you need at Pawtuckaway?
A full day covers the fire tower (about 0.4 mile each way from trailhead #6), the boulder field and an afternoon at the beach. Campers can stay up to 14 days.
What should I bring to Pawtuckaway?
A trash bag (there are no bins), the trail map, a driver's license if you'll rent a boat, and local firewood if you're camping.
What if Pawtuckaway beach is full?
NH State Parks suggests Kingston State Park or Bear Brook State Park, each about half an hour away. Next time, book a beach pass ahead.