Nansen Wayside Park RV & Campground Guide
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Nansen Wayside covers just 14 acres, but you can still enjoy this tranquil patch near the Androscoggin River. You can still explore the Nansen Ski Jump, which was built in 1936. It's as tall as a 17-story building and was the site of U.S. ski jumping trials for the first time in 1938. In 1940, 1957, 1965, and 1972, the United States Ski Jumping Championships took place at the Nansen Ski Jump. Because of the former polluted state of the river, it was one of the chief inspirations for enacting the Clean Water Act in 1972.
Nearby Cities
Milan, NH
Berlin, NH
St. Johnsbury, VT
Conway, NH
Spring 14-53 F
Summer 73-79 F
Fall 43-70 F
Winter -1 to 30 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Nansen Wayside Park
Campground Accommodations
There are no camping facilities of any kind in Nansen Wayside Park.
Cedar Pond Campground
Cedar Pond Campground is located on Cedar Pond, which is about eight miles north of Nansen Wayside Park. The campground can house up to 42-foot-long RVs. There is a 79-acre pond for swimming and other water activities. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. The RV campsite rates start at $45 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Cable TV, laundry facility, and showers
White Birches Camping Park
Located in nearby Shelburne, NH, White Birches Camping Park offers pull-through and back-in RV sites, cabins, and premium wooded tent sites. On-site attractions include a heated swimming pool, nature walks, and a playground area for children. RV rates start at $34 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Camp store and private riverfront access
Percy Lodge and Campground
Open from June to November, Percy Lodge and Campground is a beautiful option for RVers on the Upper Ammonoosuc River. Christine Lake is a short drivable distance away for swimming, fishing, and boating. There is a country store located inside the lodge for small camping necessities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Picnic tables, showers, and restrooms
What to Do at
Nansen Wayside Park
If you fish, you will enjoy it in the Androscoggin River, which flows right by the park. Flex your grilling skills and then enjoy a family meal at one of the many picnic tables. The boating on the river is also fun and exciting.
Gaze at the stars as night falls, or cast a line in the river during the day to reel in a prize catch. Or, relax and listen to the wind in the willows.
Inside Nansen Wayside Park
Nansen State Park offers a variety of activities throughout the year. During the warmer months, it's a popular place for picnicking, fishing, and boating. Some visitors enjoy spending the day on the river in a canoe or kayak. Other activities to do inside the state park are hiking, nature viewing, and wildlife observation. As for the ski jump, it's currently undergoing a restoration process that will ultimately get it up to modern jumping standards.
Hiking
Although there are no trails within the 14 acres of the park, there are 25 popular hiking destinations within 20 miles of Nansen Wayside Park. Some areas include Milan State Park, North Weeks Mountain, and South Weeks Mountain. These nearby trails offer all kinds of lengths and difficulties to challenge hikers of any skill level. Some trails, such as those in Milan State Park, convert to cross-country ski trails during the winter. There's even a ski club dedicated to Nordic skiing in Milan, which is only 3 miles away.
Stargazing
Nansen Wayside Park is a class-4 location on the Bortle Scale, meaning there will be some city-based light pollution on the horizon and darker skies overhead. Nansen Wayside Park is likely to be deserted, or nearly so, at night, so you and your stargazing family can spend quality time together taking astronomic photos with your telescope or a tripod camera.
Swimming
Although the river was famous in the past for pollution, it's clean and safe now. You can swim at Nansen Wayside Park, but no lifeguards are on duty. Take all reasonable precautions when swimming, and never venture further than your ability allows. The water will be chillier than expected, so limit your swimming time for safety.
Nature Viewing
There are willow trees to observe swaying in the wind in Nansen Wayside Park. The area is classified as a swale, but Nansen Wayside Park is drier than most swales and has many meadow plants throughout the park. If you're there when the sun is going down, you can see all crepuscular animals, such as bobcats, rabbits, and even an occasional great horned owl. You will also see other kinds of birds, like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and finches. Two uncommon bird species you can find are juncos and phoebes.
Fishing
The Androscoggin River has come a long way since the days of needing oxygen bubblers to keep the fish from suffocating. It's clean enough now to chase smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike. You can also go after smaller fish, such as black crappie and yellow perch. There are chain pickerel and sometimes even trout during certain times of the year. Get all applicable New Hampshire fishing licenses before dropping your line.
How to Get to
Nansen Wayside Park
From St. Johnsbury and all points west, drive east on Route 2 until you reach Lancaster. At Lancaster, turn south-southeast on Main Street and continue through town. Route 2 picks up again once you leave the town. Continue on Route 2 in the same direction until you reach the junction with Route 16, which is on the outskirts of Gorham. Turn north on Route 16, and continue driving north until you come to the entrance to Nansen Wayside Park, which is on the east side of the road.
From Gorham and all points south, drive north on Route 16 until you reach the entrance to Nansen Wayside Park. From all points north, make your way to Route 16. Then, continue south on Route 16 until you see the entrance to Nansen Wayside Park, which will be on the east side of the road.
Entering Nansen Wayside Park
Nansen Wayside Park has no day-use fee, and you don't need a New Hampshire parking pass to enter.
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Nansen Wayside Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nansen Wayside Park
The park is open all year except for holidays, so any time is good to visit. Summer is best for fishing and picnicking, and winter is best for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. However, the winters are frigid, so it pays to prepare with layered clothing, extra socks, and enough water.
Birds and small animals populate the meadow that is Nansen Wayside Park. It's not expected to encounter predators like bears or coyotes, but it's been known to happen. Familiarize yourself with the correct procedures when encountering such a predator. The No. 1 rule is to keep back at least 150 feet in those situations.
No, there is no camping of any kind in Nansen Wayside Park.
There are no camping spots to reserve, so the point is moot. There is no cost involved with using Nansen Wayside Park.
You may bring your pets. They must be leashed at all times they're outside. These leashes must be no longer than 6 feet. You also have to clean up after your pets.