Lake Francis State Park park
Lake Francis State Park
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.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Lake Francis State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Francis State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Coleman State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Deer Mountain | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Deer Mountain Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Lake Francis State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Lake Francis State Park
What can I do at Lake Francis State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Lake Francis State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Lake Francis State Park.