Outdoor Recreation: Parks

Pillsbury State Park

URL: http://www.nhstateparks.com/pilsbury.html
Address: Route 31, Washington, NH 03280
Phone: (603) 863-2860

With more than 8,000 acres, this is a gem of a park with very few visitors. Locals know that both Pillsbury and Wadleigh state parks in the Dartmouth-Sunapee region do not get the crowds you'll run into in the White Mountains region. We don't want to ruin a good thing by attracting too many visitors, but these parks are delightful wide-open spaces. You can rent canoes and explore May Pond with or without your fishing gear. Wildlife includes bear, moose, deer and otter. Birds you're likely to see include great blue herons, harriers and osprey. Activities: Camping, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, hiking, some mountain bikingAmenities: Campground, picnic tables, canoe rentals Water, pit toilets, a playground, canoe rentals, and firewood are available at this primitive campground.Pillsbury camping permits may be presented at nearby Sunapee State Park for free day-use, including swimming.Fees: Admission to Pillsbury State Park is $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted freePets: Pets are permitted at Pillsbury State Park but should be leashed and supervised at all times.Operation Schedule: The day-use area of the park is open weekends only starting late May, then full-time beginning the end of June, from 9am - 8pm.Acreage: 8,135 acresWaterfront: 7 pondsNumber of Campsites: The 41-site campground includes 34 sites available by reservation only - seven of these are walk-in, one is a hike-to site, and two can be accessed by boat. One site is available for youth group reservations. Five sites are for first-come/first-served campers.