Pawtuckaway State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pawtuckaway State Park is located in the southeastern region of New Hampshire, just north of the town of Raymond.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and swimming.
One of the key attractions of the park is the Pawtuckaway Mountains, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can choose from several hiking trails that range in difficulty, including the popular Fire Tower Trail and North Mountain Trail.
Other points of interest within the park include the Pawtuckaway Lake, which is a great spot for fishing and boating, and the Indian Head Hill, where visitors can find rock formations that resemble a Native American head.
In addition to its natural beauty, Pawtuckaway State Park also has a rich history. The park was once home to Native American tribes, and evidence of their presence can still be found in the form of arrowheads and other artifacts. Later, the area served as a source of granite for many of the buildings in Boston and New York City.
The best time to visit Pawtuckaway State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park offers a variety of outdoor activities. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall, when the foliage is at its peak and the hiking trails offer stunning views of the colorful leaves.
Overall, Pawtuckaway State Park is a great destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of New Hampshire and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
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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
Pawtuckaway State Reservation
Northwood Meadows State Park
Bear Brook State Park
Miller Recreation Field
Kingston State Park