Wallis Sands State Park RV & Campground Guide
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In 1901, the State of New Hampshire bought the first acre of land that would eventually become Wallis Sands State Park. Today, the park is larger but still quite small, as it encompasses just 30 acres. It was a popular beach up through the 1950s, and the state expanded it to about 18 acres during that time. The additional acres were added in 1964, and the area officially became Wallis Sands State Park in June of that year.
Spring 45-73 F
Summer 73-79 F
Fall 48-68 F
Winter 21-35 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Wallis Sands State Park
There are no overnight camping facilities in Wallis Sands State Park.
What to Do at
Wallis Sands State Park
Bring your sunblock, sunglasses, and bathing suit to enjoy the fabulous Wallis Sands State Park beach. Or, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy a meal in the summer sun. Even after the beach closes each day, or for the season, you can set up your telescope on the beach for some stargazing because Wallis Sands State Park is always open unless there is some kind of restriction.
Stargazing
The beach and park are Class-4 stargazing areas on the Bortle Scale. That means that the sky above will be mostly grey instead of black, and the light domes of nearby towns and cities will blot out certain dim heavenly objects near the horizon. With the right filters for your telescope, however, you can see some of the faint items in the night sky.
Flora and Fauna
Nearly 150 species of birds populate the beach and surrounding areas. You can hear warblers sing and see terns and other seabirds grabbing the occasional fish. If you're lucky, you can see a flock of sandpipers fly in complete harmony, moving in perfect formation together.
Fishing
The surf casting is famous along New Hampshire's 13 miles of Atlantic coastline. Every person 16 years of age or older needs a saltwater fishing license; they cost $11 each. Nearby, you also have the option of hiring a fishing charter for specific species.
Swimming
Swimming is the main attraction at Wallis Sands State Park. The beach measures 700 feet by 150 feet, covering 2 of the park's 30 acres. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day until Labor Day. During the same period, there is a concession stand and a bathhouse right on the beach. The water is colder than you might think, never rising to more than 63 F.
How to Get to
Wallis Sands State Park
Proceed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From there, take Route 1A south. It winds east and generally south all the way to Wallis Sands State Park.
Entering Wallis Sands State Park
Because Wallis Sands State Park is a day-use-only park, you should enter in your vehicle. The parking lot has spaces for 500 passenger cars, and reserving a spot in advance is strongly suggested, as the park can easily reach capacity during the peak season. If you enter with your RV, you may have to pay for two parking spaces, depending on the size of your rig. The beach is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily. However, you should note that the restrooms are only open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The concession stand is open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. As far as restrictions go, you may not climb on any rocks along the beach, use inflatable wings, rings, or rafts, and you may not surf or use boogie boards. In the picnic area, you may not use charcoal for grilling, but you may use portable propane grills. Wallis Sands State Park is also one of the New Hampshire state parks for which you may not buy a season pass. Even if you're stargazing, you're not allowed to stay all night. When it comes to accessibility, all New Hampshire state parks with beaches have accessible bathrooms, specific parking spaces, wheelchair ramps, and beach wheelchairs.
Wallis Sands State Park Entry Fee per vehicle : $15.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Wallis Sands State Park
Summer is the best time of year to visit Wallis Sands State Park because swimming is possible without an insulated suit, and fishing is at its peak for the season. However, if watersports are not your focus, fall is a beautiful time to visit and see New Hampshire's fantastic autumn colors.
The birds are the main denizens of Wallis Sands State Park. Cormorants, sandpipers, scoter, scaup, mergansers, petrels, herons, ibis, and grebe are just some of the different avian species that have recently been sighted at Wallis Sands State Park.
No, there are no camping facilities of any kind in Wallis Sands State Park.
There are no camping spots at this park. However, park officials recommend you make a parking reservation if you visit for a day trip during the peak season.
Pets are not allowed at Wallis Sands State Park when the beach is open. However, you can visit with your pets in the off-season. They must be kept on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after your furry companions.