Forest Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
New Hampshire
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Forest Lake State Park spans 397 acres with immediate access to a 200-foot beach just off the shore of the lake. Visitors can picnic, mountain bike, fish, boat, canoe, and kayak at the park. Forest Lake State Park is considered one of the original state parks as it was established in 1935 and has a rich history. Guests can attend the Annual Lake Forest boat parade each year while visiting or camping at the park. Summers at the park are warm, however, the winters are freezing and could present challenges for travelers visiting the park during non-peak seasons.
Nearby Cities:
Swanzey, NH
Keene, NH
Brattleboro, VT
Athol, MA
Spring 31-41 F
Summer 70–79 F
Fall 48–56 F
Winter 20–27 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Forest Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lake Forest Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, electric and water hookups, toilets, showers, pull-through sites, dump station
Riverside Camping & RV Resort
Riverside Camping & RV Resort offers 100 RV sites with full hookups and a range of amenities. Rates average about $59 a night. There are also weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates available. The site is conveniently located in Lancaster, New Hampshire, and is approximately 15 miles from Forest Lake State Park.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes, 50 amp (additional charge)
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Heated pool, laundry, restrooms, playground, boat ramp, pavilion, fire pits, and picnic tables
Mountain Lake Camping Resort
Located in Lancaster, the family-owned Mountain Lake Camping Resort offers seasonal monthly rates for their full-hookup sites with cable and sewer. Spring and fall season rates range from $54-$65 per night. Peak season, which is from June 26 through September 7th, ranges from $64-$95 per night. Monthly rates are also available.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Heated swimming pool, water slides, picnic tables, lake, restrooms, showers, playground, firewood, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks
Burns Lake Campground
Located in Whitefield, New Hampshire, the area-leading Burns Lake Campground features over 35 RV sites, including some pull-thru sites. Daily rates range from $30-$50. There are also monthly rates available.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Backpacking, pool, biking, boating, fishing, golf, hiking, hunting, kayaking, canoeing, off-road vehicles, rock climbing, swimming, white-water rafting, and winter sports
Crazy Horse Family Campground
Located in Littleton, New Hampshire, and nestled in the White Mountains, Crazy Horse Family Campground is a four-season RV park that features over 50 RV sites with full hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables. Daily rates are $48. Weekly and monthly rates are available.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other features: Family and holiday-themed activities, fishing, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing
What to Do at
Forest Lake State Park
You can canoe, kayak, picnic, mountain bike, fish, and boat at Forest Lake Park. The park offers challenging hiking trails from beginners to expert hikers with a relaxing background. Scenic views are available throughout the park, and you can enjoy a ride on your bike throughout these areas. You can swim and fish at designated spots at the park, and you should read all posted signs to avoid potential hazards.
Inside Forest Lake State Park
One of New Hampshire’s original state parks, Forest Lake State Park offers 397 acres and a sandy beach welcoming you for a great visit. Inside the park, you can pursue activities such as swimming, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and more. Known for being resplendent and clean, Forest Lake State Park is the ideal spot for a family getaway.
Fishing
Fishing at Forest Lake State Park can yield impressive catches during the spring and summer. You could catch walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and bluegill. The park doesn’t have a boat ramp, so if you want to fish from a motorized boat, you can launch your boat via the boat ramp from Newell Lane near Forest Lake Road.
Nature Watching
You’ll see unique wildlife at Forest Lake State Park, including coyotes, small rodents, bobcats, rabbits, black bears, wolves, white-tail deer, and gray foxes. Small mammals include snowshoe hares, skunks, opossums, raccoons, flying squirrels, and porcupines. You can see wildlife within the forest and around the lake at a safe distance. Watch for posted signs for risks to your safety or your pets.
Stargazing
From the beach area, you can see the stars, constellations, and planets on clear nights, and you can set up a telescope safely on the beach.
Flora and Fauna
Forest Lake State Park has fields of wildflowers, and you can see ephemerals, wood sorrel, bunchberry, whorled wood aster, and orange hawkweed. Visiting in the spring and summer gives you more views of the flowers and blooming plants throughout the park. You can also see many animals throughout the park in wooded areas and around the beach.
Hiking
Forest Lake State Park offers challenging hiking trails for guests who are experts and beginners. Beautiful views, grassy terrain in spring and summer, and elegant lakeside scenery surround all hiking areas.
Boating
You can take all non-motorized boats, including canoes and kayaks, through the park to the lake. However, there isn’t a boat ramp on-site. You can access the boat ramp from Newell Lane near Forest Lake Road. There aren’t any restrictions for boating on the lake; however, it isn’t recommended during the fall or winter.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted from the 200-foot beach beside Forest Lake. The park doesn’t have a lifeguard, so you swim at your own risk. Read all posted signs and follow all instructions for swimming in the lake and any potential dangers. Swimming from a boat isn’t permitted as there is an increased risk of injuries.
Biking
You can ride mountain bikes throughout Forest Lake State Park and find challenging terrain. The trails are ideal for any skill level, and there are extraordinary views surrounding these areas.
How to Get to
Forest Lake State Park
Take I-93 North toward Exit 35 US-3/Lancaster/Twin Mountain and continue on US-3 North for 4.6 miles. Turn left on Trudeau Road and continue for 2.2 miles. Turn left on US-302 North, then continue for 1.4 miles. Turn right on Maplewood Hill Road for 0.8 miles. Turn on NH-142 and continue for 2.8 miles. Turn right on NH-116 East/NH-142 East. Continue 1.1 miles, then turn onto Forest Lake Road. Continue on Forest Lake Road to the park entrance.
Entering Forest Lake State Park
You can park your vehicle next to the campsite if you are camping for the night or in the public parking lot just outside the park if you visit for the day. There is no additional fee for parking any vehicle.
Enjoy your Lake Forest State Park adventures while hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and boating. The park is home to beautiful wildlife and flowers with breathtaking views and peaceful solitude.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forest Lake State Park
Summer and spring are the best times to visit Forest Lake State Park since the weather is warmer and mild. You can enjoy more outdoor activities safely by visiting during these peak seasons. Fall and winter can lead to harsh weather, and since they are non-peak seasons, there aren’t warming stations for you to take refuge during freezing temperatures or severe storms.
Wildlife at Forest Lake State Park includes coyotes, small rodents, bobcats, rabbits, black bears, wolves, white-tail deer, and gray foxes. You can also find small mammals, including snowshoe hares, skunks, opossums, raccoons, flying squirrels, and porcupines. The lake has many fish species, including largemouth bass and red gill.
Forest Lake State Park offers RV and tent camping on the park’s campground. Each campsite is appropriate for both tents and RVs.
You aren’t required to reserve a camping spot, but booking a reservation during the spring and summer is beneficial. The park’s campground could reach maximum capacity fast, and if you don’t act quickly, you may not get a camping spot. You can make your reservation through the visitor center close to the park entrance or by calling the park. The RV camping fee is $35, but senior citizens can camp for $5 per night.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Forest Lake State Park, but you cannot take dogs to the beach area. You should use a leash to maintain control when walking through the park with your dogs. Do not take dogs into areas where there are posted restrictions.
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