Photo: Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Livermore Falls State Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–67 °F | 49–80 °F | 25–72 °F | 7–34 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Plymouth, 1 mi away, elevation 660 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Livermore Falls State Forest is a state forest in New Hampshire near Campton in Grafton County. New Hampshire State Parks runs its Pemigewasset River access site as the Livermore Falls Recreation Area, with river swimming, a canoe and kayak launch, parking and pit toilets.
Quick Facts
| State | New Hampshire |
| Nearest City | Campton |
| County | Grafton County |
Location & Getting There
Livermore Falls State Forest is located near Campton, New Hampshire. The park’s coordinates are 43.7901, -71.6638.
Things to Do
Livermore Falls is a river stop, not a hiking destination. New Hampshire State Parks lists four things at its recreation area: river swimming, a canoe and kayak launch on the Pemigewasset River, parking and pit toilets. From the lot at 86 Livermore Road, the old mill road, unpaved and closed to cars, drops to the river, and at its southern end at least two paths lead down to the beach, according to the state’s 2015 Cultural Landscape Report. The report found no roads or trails in the northern part of the roughly 170-acre forest.
What you walk through is an abandoned mill village. Below the old falls, a tannery and pulp mills once stood in a settlement called the Hollow, and its stone foundations are still there, along with the white granite foundation of the J. E. Henry & Sons pulp mill, which closed in 1953. The report notes that the mill foundation is not officially open to the public and has no railings along its upper edge, so look from the path instead of climbing the walls. Across the gorge stand the remains of the Pumpkinseed Bridge, a wrought-iron lenticular truss from 1885 that carried the town road 103 feet above the river. The state closed it to traffic in 1959, a scrap dealer later dropped its east span into the gorge, and what remains is not state property.
Best Time to Visit
Come in summer, when a swim or a paddle on the Pemigewasset is the point of the trip. That is also when the small lot fills, so reserve a day-use spot for a nice weekend or holiday. Outside the staffed season the area stays open for recreation unless it is posted closed, but it is typically unstaffed, the comfort stations are not available and the gates may be closed, so bring what you need. A spring visit timed for snowmelt will not show you a waterfall: New Hampshire State Parks says the falls have worn down to small rapids that are no longer visible within the park boundary.
Visitor Tips
The Livermore Falls Recreation Area charges a $5 day-use fee per car; when the lot is unstaffed, pay at the self-serve Iron Ranger. Parking is limited, so reserve a day-use spot up to 30 days ahead for nice weekends and holidays, and do not park on Livermore Road itself: use the lot at 86 Livermore Road. Pets are not permitted in the recreation area. The falls that gave the site its name have worn down to small rapids and are no longer visible within the park boundary. As of October 2026, per New Hampshire State Parks.
Explore More New Hampshire State Parks
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Wildlife & Nature
Livermore Falls State Forest lies along the Pemigewasset River where Campton, Holderness and Plymouth meet; most of the forest, including the gorge, is on the Campton side. According to NH State Parks, floods and storms have worn the old falls down to small rapids that are no longer visible within the park boundary. The river once powered mills here, and the site still holds the ruins of a pulp mill (1900) and a salmon hatchery (1877). The lenticular truss bridge (1885) next to the site is not owned by the state.
Nearby Attractions
Plymouth — adjacent — has Plymouth State University. Holderness — 5 miles east — has the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (On Golden Pond lake). White Mountain National Forest — 10 miles north. Polar Caves Park — 10 miles west — has glacial boulder caves.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Sculptured Rocks Natural Area (about 11 miles away) and Wellington State Park (about 12 miles away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Livermore Falls State Forest
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Many NH state parks allow pets year-round, but policies vary by park and some parks prohibit pets entirely.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet required; animals may not be left unattended.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited at beaches and designated swim areas seasonally from May 1 through September 30.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are permitted at 13 campgrounds (including Bear Brook, Coleman, Greenfield, Lake Francis, Milan, Mollidgewock, Moose Brook, Pawtuckaway, Pillsbury, Sunapee and Umbagog); cabin/yurt rules vary by park — check before booking.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Monadnock, North Hampton State Beach, Odiorne Point and most of Rhododendron State Park prohibit pets year-round; Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch and Mount Washington allow pets only on hiking trails and designated dog-walk areas.
Are dogs allowed at Livermore Falls State Forest?
Many NH state parks allow pets year-round, but policies vary by park and some parks prohibit pets entirely. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via nhstateparks.org. More: New Hampshire state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
Plan your gear for Livermore Falls State Forest
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
