Rollins State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Rollins State Park is located in the state of New Hampshire and is known for its stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Ossipee Mountains, and the White Mountains.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is located on Mount Kearsarge and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching.
One of the main attractions of Rollins State Park is the Mount Kearsarge Auto Road, which allows visitors to drive to the summit and take in the panoramic views. The summit also has a fire tower that visitors can climb for an even better view.
Another point of interest in the park is the Rollins Trail, a moderate hike that leads to the summit of Mount Kearsarge. The trail is about two miles long and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Mount Kearsarge is home to a rare type of butterfly called the Karner Blue Butterfly, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the mountain was once a source of granite for buildings and monuments in Boston, including the Bunker Hill Monument.
The best time of year to visit Rollins State Park is in the fall, when the leaves change colors and the views are especially stunning. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities in each season. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski or snowshoe, while in the spring and summer, the park is a popular spot for picnics and nature walks.
Weather Forecast
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
Winslow State Park
Knight Meadow Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Kearsarge Wildlife Management Area
Wadleigh State Park
Daniel Webster Birthplace