Livermore Falls Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Livermore Falls in New Hampshire was an important hydropower source for many mills on the Pemigewassett River in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1918, 130 acres of the land for Livermore Falls State Forest was purchased by the state of New Hampshire, and the area was expanded with an additional 40 acres that were purchased in 1992. Within this forest sits Livermore Falls Recreation Area, which features a historic pulp mill, built in 1900, a salmon hatchery, built in 1877, and views of a truss bridge over the river, built in 1885. Livermore Falls, a highlight of this recreation area, is a cascading waterfall that has a 25-foot drop. Its waters have fast currents, and visitors who hike to the falls can often see remnants of the dam that was once placed on the falls.
Spring 29-54 F
Summer 53-80 F
Fall 32-57 F
Winter 5-27 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Livermore Falls Recreation Area
There are no campgrounds at Livermore Falls Recreation Area.
What to Do at
Livermore Falls Recreation Area
A highlight of Livermore Falls Recreation Area is the falls and its history, which includes its time as a dam for hydropower mills. Along the trails of this area, you can often find metal pieces that once contributed to the dam hidden among the rocky shores of the river.
Fishing
The Pemigewasset River is stocked every year by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and there are multiple fishing access points on the river at this recreation area. Stocked fish species include trout, bass, and Atlantic salmon, and native species may include brook trout and common carp. All anglers who want to fish in this river should be sure to have a fishing license issued by the state of New Hampshire before they head out.
Nature Watching
Livermore Falls Recreation Area is the perfect place to sightsee for animals such as moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, Canadian lynx, beavers, river otters, raccoons, peregrines falcons, and bald eagles. It is also common to spot wild turkeys, red foxes, porcupines, fisher cats, and snowshoe hares. This area of New Hampshire is known for being home to over 200 types of birds, too, including the black-billed magpie, black-crowned night-heron, mountain bluebird, northern flicker, white-breasted nuthatch, and canyon wren.
Hiking
There are a few easy, short trails leading directly to Livermore Falls outside of the recreation area, but there is one interpretive trail along the river within the area as well. This interpretive trail is 0.4 miles, rated easy in difficulty, and passes by the beach and picnic sites before entering a wooded area.
Boating
There is a boat launch area designed for kayaks and canoes to use at this recreation site. The launch is located just off of the parking lot.
Swimming
Visitors to Livermore Falls Recreation Area can go swimming on the beaches located above and below Livermore Falls. There are typically staff on duty at the beaches from May to October.
How to Get to
Livermore Falls Recreation Area
Livermore Falls Recreation Area is located 111 miles north of Boston, and it can be accessed by taking I-93 North toward Concord, New Hampshire. From there, you should keep right on I-93 North, then continue to merge onto the I-93 North toll road. Continue 51 miles, then take exit 25 for NH-175. Turn left onto NH-175A East, then turn left again onto New Hampshire Route 175 North. Continue 1.7 miles, then turn left onto Livermore Road to reach the recreation area entrance. Visitors can also reach the recreation area without tolls by taking US-3 North from Boston to Holderness. From there, you may take New Hampshire Route 175 North to Livermore Road as well.
Entering Livermore Falls Recreation Area
The parking lot for this recreation area is found directly off Livermore Road, and it features parking as well as pit toilets and easy access to the boat launch.
Livermore Falls Recreation Area Entry Fee per vehicle : $5.0
Livermore Falls Recreation Area Entry Fee (New Hampshire residents) : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Livermore Falls Recreation Area
The best time to visit Livermore Falls Recreation Area is in the summer from May through September when the beaches are comfortable and the park is staffed. While visitors may come during the off-season, they may not be able to swim at the beaches or hike all of the trail areas.
Livermore Falls is part of the greater White Mountain National Forest area, which is home to large animals like moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and Canadian lynx. There are also over 200 species of birds in the area plus water mammals like beavers and river otters.
Livermore Falls Recreation Area is a day-use-only area, so there are no campgrounds and no RV campsites located there.
Reservations for campsites are not accepted at Livermore Falls Recreation Area since there are no campgrounds available. However, day-use reservations are accepted for the beach areas, and the cost to use the recreation area is typically $5 per vehicle per day.
Pets are not permitted at Livermore Falls Recreation Area although they may be allowed on the city-owned trails that lead from outside the park to Livermore Falls. Service animals are allowed in the recreation area with valid documentation.