Ellacoya State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Winnipesaukee in eastern New Hampshire is a wonderful place for water-based activities, and Ellacoya State Park, not to mention the accompanying campground, sits right on the shore, offering you great access to everything there is to do. The sandy beach is good for games of paddleball while a difficult hiking trail provides a gateway to forest adventures. You can also have a picnic after frying up something delicious that you reeled in earlier in the day.
Nearby Cities:
Laconia, NH
Franklin, NH
Concord, NH
Farmington, NH
Spring 43-68 F
Summer 77-82 F
Fall 46-73 F
Winter 12-34 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Ellacoya State Park
Campground Accommodations
Ellacoya State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes, at some sites
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: No
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, fire rings, picnic tables, picnic pavilion, boat launch, convenience store, laundry facilities, playground, ranger station
Paugus Bay Campground
Many campers enjoy Paugus Bay Campground, which is seven miles north of the state park, because of the peaceful surroundings and the multitude of activities for families. The campground provides access to Paugus Bay and Weirs Beach.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electrical Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Jet ski slips, boat docks, showers, restrooms, basketball court, fishing shuffleboards, walk path to Weirs Beach
Hills RV Park
Hills RV Park is in a good location as it is near the Weirs Beach boardwalk and minutes away from local attractions. The campground is in a trailer park, and you can walk downtown.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electrical Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: No
Other Amenities: Jet ski slips, boat docks, showers, restrooms, basketball court, fishing shuffleboards, walk path to Weirs Beach
Hack-Ma-Tack Family Campground
Hack-Ma-Tack Family Campground is a good location for enjoying the festivities of the tourist city of Laconia, which is nine miles southwest of the state park. The campground is also in a good area for fishing.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electrical Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Pool, tent camping, pull-thru sites, shaded sites, complete wilderness sites, and sunny sites
Meredith Woods Camping Area
Meredith Woods Camping Area is located on route 104 about 14 miles from the state park. Campers also have access to Clearwater Campground when the campground is open.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electrical Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Tent camping, bathrooms, showers, general store, game room, TV room, laundry facilities, security gate, and attraction brochure center
What to Do at
Ellacoya State Park
You can swim during the morning, hike during the early afternoon, fish at dusk and cook your catch that evening. Your children will enjoy the playground, and the family can enjoy a boat journey on Lake Winnipesaukee as well.
Active families will enjoy this park as much as families that want to relax in the sunshine or shade.
Inside Ellacoya State Park
Ellacoya State Park is composed of two parts. One part is a campground, and the other is a day-use beach area. Campers can see a beautiful view of the Ossipee and Sandwich mountains. Depending on the season, visitors enjoy biking, hiking, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing as well. You also can stop at the beach store where you can find unique souvenirs. During the winter, the lake freezes, and you can watch DN iceboats on the frozen lake.
Hiking
The Straightback Mountain Trail is difficult, and it's 5.3 miles long. It's a loop trail that climbs more than 1,300 feet along its length. Birders will get amazing views of a variety of species along the way, and in the wintertime, you can cross-country ski.
Flora and Fauna
Muskrats, otters and beavers swim near the campground, and in the woods, black bears and bobcats mix with small, game-like squirrels and chipmunks. Deer are crafty, but you can get good photos of them if you are patient. Wood sorrel, bunchberry and whorled wood aster are three of the prettiest wildflowers you can find in the campground, park and forest beyond.
Geocaching
The geocache in Ellacoya State Park is part of the New Hampshire State Park Geocache Challenge. Have fun searching for it with your family.
Fishing
The fish are numerous and tasty, including cusk, rainbow trout, lake trout, whitefish and hornpout. The lake is nearly 200 feet deep, so you can also catch bass, perch and pickerel. Each of these fish has a different season, so be sure to buy the applicable fishing licenses when you plan to fish in Lake Winnipesaukee.
Boating
There are myriad islands on the surface of Lake Winnipesaukee. Load up a picnic lunch, and set out in your boat to have a relaxing meal on one of those islands. You can watch the sunset and then head back to enjoy family time at the campsite. If you don't have a boat, then you can rent one from various businesses on the shore of the lake.
Swimming
The beach is 600 feet long and is staffed by lifeguards during the summer. The lifeguards leave after Labor Day, so if you camp during the fall, winter or early spring, remember to take proper precautions while swimming. During the summer, the water is a veritable swimming pool at nearly 80 degrees. Winter water temperatures get down near freezing, and during the fall, you'll need an insulated wet suit, too, as the water is only in the high 40s to the mid-50s.
How to Get to
Ellacoya State Park
From Manchester and all points south, take Route 93 north until you reach the junction with Route 3 near Tilton. Proceed northeast on Route 3 through Laconia to the crossroad with Route 11. Turn east on Route 11, and it will take you to Ellacoya State Park.
From Newberry and all points north, drive south on Route 91 to Lebanon. At Lebanon, take Route 89 east until you reach Route 4. Continue east on Route 4 all the way to Danbury, where you will proceed northeast on Route 104. Follow Route 104 to Meredith, where you will then continue south on Route 3. When you cross the Weir's Channel Bridge, take Route 118 east out of the roundabout. Take Route 118 to the junction with Route 11, which is also called Lake Shore Road. Drive northeast on Lake Shore Road, and it will take you all the way to Ellacoya State Park.
Entering Ellacoya State Park
The park entry fee is $5 per adult and $2 for children 6 to 11 years of age. Younger children are free. There is a large day-use parking lot near the playground and additional spaces by the laundry facilities.
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Ellacoya State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one through us! 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 Ellacoya State Park
Anytime from Memorial Day to Labor Day is the best time to visit unless you plan on cross-country skiing or doing other winter activities. The park has no staff outside of that time frame. During this period, the weather is mild, the water is warm and comfortable, and the atmosphere is convivial.
Birds, particularly waterfowl and wading birds, congregate on and near Lake Winnipesaukee, so while you're at Ellacoya State Park, you'll be able to record sightings of several of them in your birding notebook. While in the forest along the hiking trail, be aware of predators like coyotes, black bears and bobcats. Keep well back from these animals, and never feed them. Take all the photos you want, of course.
Yes, there are 38 RV-specific campsites in Ellacoya State Park. They have full hookups, and 15 of them are pull-through sites. The sites can accommodate any rig up to 50 feet in length.
Reservations are required, and you can book them up to 11 months in advance. The cost is $47 per night.
No, pets are not permitted at Ellacoya State Park.