Lake Francis State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Lake Francis State Park is a picturesque park located in northern New Hampshire.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. Visitors to the park can enjoy the tranquility of the lake and surrounding forest and mountains.
Lake Francis is a man-made lake that was created in the 1940s by damming the Connecticut River. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, with anglers able to catch rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked salmon. The park also has a boat ramp, allowing visitors to launch their boats and explore the lake.
In addition to fishing and boating, Lake Francis State Park has several hiking trails that lead through the surrounding forest. The trails range from easy to challenging, with some offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
One of the main points of interest in the park is its campground. The campground has 45 sites available for tents or RVs, and is open from May to October. The campground has several amenities, including showers, restrooms, and a playground.
Visitors to Lake Francis State Park can also explore the nearby towns of Pittsburg and Colebrook. These towns offer a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as historical sites such as the Colebrook Historical Society Museum.
The best time to visit Lake Francis State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is perfect for swimming and boating. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall, when the leaves on the surrounding trees change colors.
Overall, Lake Francis State Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of northern New Hampshire. Whether you're interested in fishing, hiking, or just relaxing by the lake, this park has something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Lake Francis State Park
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Coleman State Park
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Deer Mountain
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Deer Mountain Campground
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First Connecticut Lake Boat & Beach Ramp
Hurlburt Swamp Preserve
Deer Mountain Campground
Norton Pool Preserve
Canaan Recreation Park