Rules & Regulations

At Pawtuckaway State Park, leashed dogs are welcome on the hiking trails and in the campground, cabins and pavilions, but never in the beach area. Alcohol is banned at the beach, drones may not take off or land anywhere in the park, and everything you bring in, you carry out. Camping is allowed only in the campground during the camping season. These are NH State Parks' rules, collected in one place.

Dogs and Other Pets

NH State Parks allows leashed pets in the Pawtuckaway campground, cabins and pavilions and on the hiking trails. Pets are not permitted in the beach day-use area. Statewide, pets must be leashed and supervised at all times, and no pets are allowed on any bathing beach. See the NH State Parks pet policy.

Alcohol

Alcohol is prohibited at the Pawtuckaway State Park beach area, and the campground policy sheet says it is not permitted in the day-use area.

Drones

Drone use is restricted at every New Hampshire state park. Operators may not take off or land within state park boundaries.

Carry In, Carry Out

There are no trash cans on the mountains or the park grounds. Carry out all of your trash, including orange peels, apple cores and other food scraps. NH State Parks explains that animals don't eat them, and that as they rot they smell and draw insects. Campers take their trash and recycling to the dump area.

Plants, Trees and Wildlife

• It is unlawful to cut any standing tree, limb, shrub or other plant in the park.
• Don't drive nails into campground trees or remove limbs.
• Don't feed wildlife or waterfowl. Raccoons will open a cooler; lock food in your car at night.
• Don't move firewood. Out-of-state wood can carry invasive insects and tree diseases.

Camping and Fires

• Camping is allowed only in the campground, during the camping season.
• Campfires stay in the fire ring, follow any fire restrictions, and must be out by 11:30 pm. No trash burning.
• Quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am. Generators may run 9 am to noon and 5 pm to 8 pm only. No car stereos.
• The longest stay is 14 days.

Neighbors and Private Roads

Some roads and land next to the park, and some of the access trails, are private. NH State Parks asks visitors to respect the rights of those owners.

Your Safety Is on You Off-Season

Outside staffed hours and in the off-season, there's usually no staff, restrooms are closed and gates may be shut. NH State Parks says the off-season carries its own risks, that visitors need the knowledge, skill and equipment to keep themselves safe, and that users assume all risk on state park land. Current dates: hours.