Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
You might not be sure what to expect on your RV road trip through New Hampshire. It’s such a little state that perhaps you’re expecting to be underwhelmed. Well, as it turns out, some of the lushest forests, stately mountains, and prime camping in the northeast can be found in the small but powerful state.
Pawtuckaway State Park, about 15 miles off the Atlantic Coast, is a prime example of New Hampshire’s impressive natural beauty. One of its most striking features is the circular mountain range that is actually the remnant of an ancient volcano. The land and waters were originally used for sawmill activities and hydropower sources for textile mills in the 1800s. Since coming under protection in the 1930s, the 5,000-acre park offers incredibly scenic forested mountain views and pristine Pawtuckaway Lake that are enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Pawtuckaway has a lot of unique scenery and experiences to offer any level of hiker. There are three main trailheads (Reservation Road, Main Entrance, and Beach Access) that will lead you to smaller internal trails that wind throughout the park. Hikers will have the opportunity to explore the lake, ponds, hillsides, and forests.
The best hike in the park, however, will take you to the top of South Mountain. Here, you can scale a tall fire tower and get unbelievable 360-degree views of the area. To get there, use the Reservation Road trailhead and work your way to the Mountain Trail.
For visitors that enjoy history, and maybe even look for a spooky setting, the park features old cemeteries with some fascinating headstones. The Goodrich cemetery was founded by the family that lived in and farmed the area in the early 1800s. Located just off of Tower Road, visitors can see the headstone of the matriarch of the family, Sally, who lived to an astounding age of 101.
Other cemeteries of the Chase and Bartlett farming families can also be found along the hiking trails. You can access these cemeteries by following the Chase and North Mountain Trails on the northwestern side of the park. As you visit these historic homestead areas, look around and imagine what it took to survive in these woods hundreds of years ago.
Pawtuckaway Lake wasn’t always a lake. In fact, it was two separate ponds that eventually merged following damming efforts to assist the sawmills and textile operations in the 1800s. Today, however, it is one of New Hampshire’s favorite water playgrounds.
The park offers rentals for canoes and kayaks for you to paddle to your heart’s content. Make your way to one of the many islands for a little additional exploration. There is also a boat launch if you happen to be renting or transporting anything a little larger.
The lake is beautiful, yes, but what lurks underneath the surface? Anglers can cast a line for a variety of sport fish species including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and bluegill. Campers will also find that there are multiple designated fishing sites that are perfect to try their luck.
Fundy Cove at the lake’s northwest end is accessible by the Fundy Trail and offers a wide area of shoreline fishing. Tight coves like this one are an excellent habitat for bass. The footbridges near the campground on the southern end of the lake can also get you out on small islands. Larger predatory fish such as pickerel and bass use the structure of the islands to ambush their prey, making this an excellent fishing spot.
There is no proper rock climbing at the park, however, adrenaline junkies can still get a kick by doing a little bouldering or scrambling. What is rock scrambling, you ask? Essentially you can hop along large boulders, rocks, and outcroppings as you navigate an area. Prospective scramblers should be stable on their feet with fairly strong legs and ankles.
Pawtuckaway features a boulder field created by the power of massive glaciers nearly 20,000 years ago. This collection of large and small boulders is a blast to explore and scramble along the top, making the path your own. You will find the field at the north end of the park along the aptly named Boulder Trail.
If you would like to stay on-site, the park has plenty of room for campers. The 195 sites are primitive in nature (no hookups), but you are welcome to set up your RV at any site that will accommodate its dimensions. You will have a picnic table and fire ring at your site and all campers will have access to potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a well-stocked camp store. Remember to make your reservations ahead of time as 180 of these sites are reservation-only.
Less than five miles to the south, Pine Acres Resort is your closest camping option outside the park. The campground is truly massive, with over 400 campsites available, including full hookup sites for your rental RV. The grounds are located along the Lamprey River, with opportunities for waterfront camping. On top of the usual amenities (showers, restrooms, laundry, etc.), campers will enjoy a camp store, on-site restaurant, and beach access.
Up in the town of Northwood (14 miles), the Saddleback Campground is a peaceful camping option. Each of their 20 RV campsites include ample space and tree cover, as well as a view of the private pond. Your water/electric hookups will be complemented by access to bathhouses, a dump station, and laundry service. For fun, the pond offers great fishing as well as a great beach to do a little swimming or sunbathing.
For campers preferring to stay nearer to the coat, consider the Green Gate Camping Area out in Exeter (16 miles). Full hookup RV camping is met with an onsite convenience store, complimentary Wi-Fi, and full-service bathhouses. For fun, check out the pool, rec hall, or revamped playground for the kids. The campground’s close proximity to Exeter is also a plus for ample dining and entertainment options. In addition, you’re only about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
Looking for lakeside camping? The Barrington Shores Campground is a quaint option, located right on Swains Lake (15 miles). Although the majority of the campground is seasonal, there are about a dozen short-term campsites located right on the waterfront. All RV campsites have water and electric service, with the option for waste pump out, if you desire. For fun, rent a paddleboat or kayak and explore the lake. Anglers will also enjoy casting a line for largemouth bass.
Unfortunately, there are no dining facilities in the park. The camp store does have a few items, but you will need to bring in your own food for a proper meal. There are picnic areas scattered throughout the park, however, offering beautiful waterside views for an outdoor lunch.
There are two mid-size towns just to the south of the park (five miles or less) that have plenty of dining options for hungry campers. In the town of Raymond, you’ll find a variety of grills and cafes, pizza, tacos, Chinese, sandwich shops, ice cream, as well as a number of chains. A little further to the east in Epping, you’ll find Irish, Thai, BBQ, pizza, Chinese, Japanese, and a number of American cafes.
No matter where you stay, the gorgeous lakeside mountain views at Pawtuckaway State Park will be one of your favorite memories from your RV camping trip through the small, but mighty state of New Hampshire.