Some of the state-run parks close early in the season, but these parks are open year-round for your hiking, biking and picnicking enjoyment. Directions and hiking maps are available at nhstateparks.org.
A word to the wise: Most of these parks do not have bathroom facilities, so remember to make a pit stop before you go.
Ahern State Park: 128 acres with 3,500 feet of shoreline on Lake Winnisquam. Fishing, biking and hiking. Easy water access for car-top boating. Route 106, Laconia.
* Androscoggin Wayside Park: Part of the Thirteen Mile Woods. Scenic spot for picnicking, fishing, and canoeing. Route 16, Errol
* Annett Wayside Park: Part of the Annett State Forest, near the Cathedral of the Pines National Shrine. Short hiking trail. Cathedral Road, Rindge
* Beaver Brook Falls Wayside Park: 7.3 acres. Hiking and picnicking (picnic shelters available).
Off Route 145, Colebrook
* Bedell Bridge State Park: 38 acres along the Connecticut River. Picnicking, fishing and boating. The park was the site of a historic two-span covered bridge, the second longest in the country. The bridge, which connected New Hampshire to Vermont, was destroyed by wind in 1979 and is no longer there.
Routes 10 & 25 Haverhill
* Cardigan State Park: 5,655 acres, excellent area for hiking. A mountain road leads to trails on the west slope as well as a trail to the summit. Summit views of west central New Hampshire with a panorama that includes Mt. Monadnock and the White Mountains, Camel’s Hump in Vermont and Pleasant Mountain in Maine. Picnic tables available.
Off Route 18, Orange
* Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area: 13 acres. Hiking and scenic views. Route 9, Chesterfield
Clough State Park: On the shore of Everett Lake, a 150-acre lake formed by a dam on the Piscataquog River. Picnicking, boating and fishing. Off Route 13, Weare
Dixville Notch State Park: 127 acres. Scenic gorge and waterfalls on two mountain brooks. Hiking trails lead to Table Rock and nearby mountains.
Route 26, Dixville
Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park: 7 acre memorial park honors the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Views of the Presidential Range in the White Mountain National Forest.
Route 302, Carroll
Endicott Rock: The name of John Endicott, governor of Massachusetts Bay, and the initials of Edward Johnson and Simon Willard, commissioners of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and of John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, surveyors, were inscribed on the rock in 1652. The rock marked the assumed headwaters of the Merrimack River. Route 3, Laconia
Forest Lake State Park: 397 acres. Beach on the shore of Forest Lake, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing and boating. One of the 10 original state parks, created in 1935. Off Route 116, Dalton
* Gardner Memorial Wayside Park: Part of Gile State Forest, which spans 6,675 acres. Includes a memorial to Walter C. Gardner II, whose father established Gile State Forest. Scenic views, picnic area, hiking.
Route 4A, Wilmot
* Hannah Duston Memorial: The park is home to the first publically-funded statue in the state, erected in 1874. On a small island, the statue commemorates the escape of Hannah Duston, who was captured during an Indian raid in 1697 in Haverhill, Mass., during the French and Indian War. Picnicking and canoeing.
Exit 17 off I-93, Boscawen
Jericho Mountain State Park: Miles of trail riding for ATV, UTV, trail bike, and snowmobile enthusiasts. Scenic outlooks, fishing, canoeing and picnicking. Northeast of downtown Berlin
Lake Tarleton State Park: 48 acres. Fishing and hunting in season. Boat launch available. The higher elevation of the park offers views of the White Mountain National Forest across the lake. Route 25C, Piermont
* Madison Boulder Natural Area: Granite rock measuring 83 feet in length, 23 feet in height above the ground and 37 feet in width. It weighs upwards of 5,000 tons.
Off Route 113, Madison
* Milan Hill State Park: From this hilltop campground, and the fire tower located there, you can get a complete view of the mountain ranges in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Canada. Route 16, Milan
* Nansen Wayside Park: 14 acres. Picnicking, fishing and boating. Site of the 170-foot steel-framed Nansen Ski Jump, seen towering over the area. Boat launch available. Route 16, Milan
* Northwood Meadows State Park: 674 acres in a wilderness setting. Nature walks, fishing, non-motorized boating, picnicking, biking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Off Route 4, Northwood
* Sculptured Rocks Natural Area: 272 acres. The canyon walls contain curious shapes and create potholes in the bedrock.
Between Routes 3A and 118, Groton
Wadleigh State Park: Wadleigh State Beach. Picnic sites, biking, fishing and hiking. Route 114, Sutton
* Fido loves hiking as much as you do, but not all state parks allow pets. We’ve labeled the pet-friendly parks with an asterisk. Here are some items to keep in mind before you head out:
– Pets are prohibited at all state beaches, picnic areas and historic sites.
– In areas where pets are allowed, pets must be leashed and attended at all times; owners are responsible for their pets’ actions.
– If a pet becomes objectionable to any park visitor, the owner will be asked to remove the pet from the park.
– Pets are not to be left unattended in any vehicle, camper, carrier or enclosure at any time.
