Clough State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Sitting on the shore of Everett Lake, Clough State Park provides visitors with ample outdoor activity opportunities from May until mid-September every year. Swimming at the 900-foot beach and other water-based activities are the most popular. The lake covers 150 acres, so boating on the lake is limited to craft without motors. The picnic pavilion is available for rent, as well, so you can enjoy something you catch on the grill after a day's fishing.
Nearby Cities:
Manchester, NH
Lewiston, ME
Nashua, NH
Boston, MA
Spring 44-68 F
Summer 75-82 F
Fall 48-72 F
Winter 12-37 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Clough State Park
There is no campground of any kind in Clough State Park.
Cold Springs Camp Resort
A short drive from the park, this campground features 400 spacious RV sites with full hookups and amenities galore. Swim in their heated pools, relax in the hot tub, or check out their regularly hosted activities like bingo, hayrides, and dance parties. There’s even free breakfast on the weekends! Rates are $69-83 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Free breakfast, restrooms, cable, laundromat, camp store, pond, swimming pools, playground, sports courts, recreation room, dog park
Autumn Hills Campground
Set on a wooded hillside, this family-friendly campground has large RV sites with full hookups in a peaceful, secluded environment. Relax by the campfire, lounge by the pool, or enjoy camp-wide activities including craft nights, ice cream socials, and boxcar racing! Rates are $46 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouses, laundromat, camp store, pond, swimming pool, playground, sports courts, recreation room, boat rentals, dumping station
What to Do at
Clough State Park
Swim in the early afternoon before drying off and have a picnic throughout the late afternoon before you need to pack up. The park closes at 7:00 p.m. daily. If you want, you can take an afternoon walk along the lakeshore. The lake is also great for canoeing or kayaking, and if you have a small sailboat, then you can crisscross from shore to shore.
The park is small, but you can still enjoy yourself in the picturesque surroundings with either a fishing rod or a boat paddle in your hands.
Inside Clough State Park
With sparkling blue waters spread over 150 acres, visitors come to Clough State Park for swimming, boating, and fishing on Everett Lake. The long stretch of sandy beachfront is ideal for visitors who want to throw a frisbee, set up a picnic, or sunbathe by the shoreline. On land, there are opportunities to explore the trails that wind through the park and follow the Piscataquog River and Everett Dam.
Here are more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Hiking and Biking - Nature trails weave through the park, open for anyone wanting to hike or bike through the wooded terrain. Walk along Everett Dam for panoramic views of the lake or explore the trails along the banks of Everett Lake and the Piscataquog River.
Boating and Fishing - Bring your canoe, kayak, or small boat and launch it from the park’s boat ramp to enjoy the tranquil waters of Lake Everett. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake, creating a peaceful environment where anglers can catch bluegill, largemouth bass, and other fish.
Swimming - Swimming is permitted along the sandy beachfront. There are also spots off the trails where you can jump in the waters of Piscataquog River and Everett Lake. There are no lifeguards on duty at the park, so take precaution when swimming!
Hiking
At the park, you can hike overland around the lake through the forest. Also, there's an unnamed 0.9-mile paved track for walkers and bikers. For actual hiking trails, you can travel just a few hundred yards to the Piscataquog State Forest, which features three easy trails between 2.2 miles and 5.9 miles in length. Unlike at Clough State Park, you can bring your pets along with you on these trails.
Climbing
If bouldering is your thing, then you can find ample opportunities near Clough State Park. There are 58 bouldering problems in and around the park in the Merrimack Valley. They range in difficulty from V0 to V10. There aren't any vertical traditional or sports climbs in the area, however.
Flora and Fauna
Songbirds, such as finches and multiple species of warblers, populate the park. Occasionally, as you pack up for the park's closing, you might see crepuscular wildlife like rabbits, foxes, and even deer. In the woods, you might also be able to find yarrow, chicory, and jack-in-the-pulpit along with other New Hampshire wildflowers.
Geocaching
The geocache in Clough State Park is known as a "Fly in the Ointment" because of its difficulty in being found.
Fishing
Fishing is good in Everett Lake, and the species include chain pickerel, both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Bluegills sometimes enter the lake, and so do brown bullheads and white perch. Even if you just fish for an afternoon, you still need a fishing license. Fortunately, you can obtain one-day fishing licenses online.
Boating
The boat launch is for small boats without motors. Alternatively, you can set out from the beach itself if you just have a canoe or a kayak.
Swimming
There are no lifeguards at Clough State Park, so you should practice strict water safety. The water temperature in the summer tops out at about 68 to 70 F, which is fine for quick dips. Always check for water advisories as Everett Lake has had an average of nine such days each year since 2014.
How to Get to
Clough State Park
From Boston and all points south, take Route 93 north to Manchester. In Manchester, take Route 293 west until you see signs for Route 101. Take Route 101 northwest out of Manchester until you reach the junction with Parker Station Road. Turn north on Parker Station Road. Along the way, Parker Station Road becomes Riverdale Road. Follow Riverdale Road until you reach River Road, upon which you should drive north. Eventually, you will come to Clough Park Road. Follow it north to the park.
From Concord and all points north, find Route 13 in Concord. Take it southwest. Route 13 becomes Clinton Street. Follow Clinton Street west until it becomes Route 77 past the Jewett Street junction. Drive west on Route 77 until you reach Ray Road. Turn south on Ray Road until you reach Mansion Road whereupon you will turn west. From there, it's only a few hundred yards until you reach Burrough Road. Turn south on Burrough Road, which will take you to Clough State Park.
Entering Clough State Park
Day-use fees are $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 11. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.
Clough State Park Daily Pass : $4.0
Clough State Park Children's Pass : $2.0
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clough State Park
Except for its operating season, Clough State Park is unstaffed, so the best time to visit is between May and mid-September. The summer is best overall because the water is at its mildest temperature, and the wildflowers in the forest are in full bloom. Sunset is later, too, so you won't have to pack up in darkness when the park closes each night.
It's mostly songbirds and small game, but you can occasionally spot deer, foxes, and even a coyote. Bears are exceedingly rare. The forest makes for excellent birdwatching.
There is no campground of any kind at Clough State Park.
The only reservation that you can make at Clough State Park is the picnic pavilion. Renting the pavilion costs at least $100. If you're going to be visiting the park for the day, then the cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children from 6 years to 11 years old, and free for children younger than 6 years of age. If you want to travel there when the park isn't open, then you still have to leave a check for day use in the iron box set aside for such checks.
No, other than guiding or service animals, pets are not allowed at Clough State Park.