Park Pass & Fees
New Hampshire offers several pass options: The Individual Pass ($60) covers day-use admission at most parks. The Resident Family Pass ($105) covers two adults and up to four dependents. The Non-Resident Family Pass ($120) offers the same coverage. The Seacoast Parking Pass ($175) specifically covers Hampton Beach and Wallis Sands parking. Note: No pass covers Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Flume Gorge admission, or camping fees. A NH State Parks License Plate also grants free day-use entry for one year.
Parks by Region
White Mountains
The White Mountains dominate New Hampshire’s park system. Franconia Notch State Park is the undisputed crown jewel — home to the Flume Gorge (a natural 800-foot granite chasm), the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Echo Lake, and the iconic Basin pothole. Crawford Notch State Park offers dramatic mountain passes, waterfalls including Arethusa Falls (the state’s tallest), and historic railroad history. Mount Washington State Park sits atop the Northeast’s highest peak (6,288 feet), famous for recording the then-world-record wind speed of 231 mph.
Lakes Region
Endicott Rock State Park on Lake Winnipesaukee and Wellington State Park on Newfound Lake offer classic New Hampshire lake recreation. Ellacoya State Park provides one of the best public beach accesses on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Lakes Region parks combine mountain views with swimming, boating, and fishing.
Seacoast
New Hampshire’s 18-mile coastline punches above its weight. Hampton Beach State Park is the state’s most popular beach destination with miles of sandy shore. Wallis Sands State Park offers a quieter beach alternative. Odiorne Point State Park features rocky coastal trails and the Seacoast Science Center. Rye Harbor State Park provides dramatic ocean views and jetty fishing.
Monadnock Region
Monadnock State Park protects the most-climbed mountain in North America (some say the world) — Mount Monadnock at 3,165 feet draws over 100,000 hikers annually. Its bare summit offers 100-mile views in every direction. Pisgah State Park is the system’s largest property at 13,500 acres of undeveloped wilderness.
Best Parks by Activity
Best for Hiking
- Monadnock State Park — Most-climbed mountain in North America
- Franconia Notch State Park — Flume Gorge and lakeside trails
- Crawford Notch State Park — Arethusa Falls, Ripley Falls
- White Lake State Park — Easy loop around pristine White Lake
Best for Camping
- White Lake State Park — Lakeside camping surrounded by pines
- Moose Brook State Park — Mountain camping near Gorham
- Greenfield State Park — Otter Lake swimming and tent sites
- Bear Brook State Park — New Hampshire’s largest developed park
Best for Swimming
- Wellington State Park — Largest freshwater swimming beach
- Ellacoya State Park — Winnipesaukee beach access
- Hampton Beach State Park — Ocean swimming and boardwalk
- Pawtuckaway State Park — Warm freshwater lake
Best for Families
- Franconia Notch State Park — Flume Gorge, echo lake, tramway
- Story Land area parks — Family-friendly White Mountains base
- White Lake State Park — Calm lake, easy trails
- Hampton Beach State Park — Classic beach day
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Waterfall season in White Mountains, wildflowers |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lake swimming, beach season, mountain hiking at its best |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | World-class foliage, Kancamagus Highway peak color |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Skiing at Cannon Mountain, snowshoeing, ice climbing |
FAQs
Are New Hampshire state parks free?
No, most parks charge per-person admission fees ($4–$15). Annual passes ($60–$120) provide unlimited day-use access to most parks.
What is the most popular state park in New Hampshire?
Franconia Notch State Park is the most visited, with the Flume Gorge alone drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. Mount Monadnock is the most-climbed peak.
Is the Flume Gorge worth the admission?
Yes! The Flume Gorge ($18 adults, $14 children 6–12) is a unique 800-foot granite chasm with boardwalks, covered bridges, and waterfalls. It’s one of New England’s most iconic natural attractions.
Can I drive to the top of Mount Washington?
You can drive the Mount Washington Auto Road (privately operated, separate from the state park), or take the Cog Railway. The Mount Washington State Park at the summit has an observatory and visitor center.
Start Your New Hampshire Adventure
New Hampshire’s 93 park properties deliver alpine summits, granite gorges, pristine lakes, and ocean shoreline — all within a state you can drive across in three hours. From the roaring winds atop Mount Washington to the gentle waves of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Granite State earns every superlative.
