Lake Francis State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Francis State Park encompasses 38 acres of land around a stunning 2,000-acre lake. This park was founded in 1976 near Pittsburg, New Hampshire, and has grown to offer various recreational options like hunting, camping and winter sports. You're welcome to tour the visitor center, use the convenient boat launch or reserve a campsite for a weekend of excellent family fun. This part of the Connecticut River is adored by canoeists and anglers alike. ATV riding is also locally popular, with the trails in Lake Francis State Park connecting to more than 1,000 miles of off-roading paths in the county. Enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on the chance to snag one of the ATV camping spots situated near key off-road trailheads.
Nearby Cities:
Pittsburg, NH
Stewartstown, NH
Colebrook, NH
Lancaster, NH
Spring 13-60 F
Summer 48-73 F
Fall 23-65 F
Winter 2-27 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Francis State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lake Francis State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes, seasonally
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Coin-operated showers and laundry, dump station, flush toilets
Lake Francis State Park Campground
The main attraction at the 34-acre Lake Francis State Park Campground is 2,000-acre Lake Francis. Nine of the 45 campsites offered at this campground include electrical and water hookups. While the park is open from mid-May to mid-December, running water is only available until mid-October due to freezing conditions.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 20-amp
Sewer hookup: No; dump station available on-site
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $30-$35 per night
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the camping season; office not staffed the rest of the year
Ramblewood Cabins & Campground
Ramblewood Cabins & Campground sits inside the city limits of Pittsburg, NH, on the shores of First Connecticut Lake. Its location gives direct access to the Great North Woods region. Ramblewood offers nine RV sites with water and electrical hookups that handle up to 40-foot campers. The campground also provides access to six trailer sites that can accommodate trailers up to 20 feet in length. Water hookups are shut off from mid-October to mid-May due to freezing conditions. Visitors to this campground find warm showers, flush toilets, a camp store, and an incredible view of the surrounding forests.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30-amp
Sewer hookup: No; a dump station is available
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $35-$40 per night
Office hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mountain View Cabins and Campground
Mountain View Cabins and Campground offers 55 campsites for RV and trailer use. Located in Pittsburg, NH, the campground provides easy access to all the hiking trails, fishing lakes and streams, and ATV trails in the area. Water and electrical hookups are available for all camping sites, with septic hookups provided at a limited number of locations. This campground offers both temporary and seasonal campsites. Added amenities include restrooms with flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, warm showers, and a camp store/office.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30-amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $32 to $38 per night
Office hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
What to Do at
Lake Francis State Park
Whether you enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing or boating, this New Hampshire park has plenty to offer. You can easily grab a kayak or canoe rental or walk your way around the massive Lake Francis. The main boat launch is located in the day-use area, which includes a playground and a beautiful picnicking spot right on the water.
This park is open all year long for family-friendly recreational fun. If you plan to visit in the colder season, be sure to call ahead to confirm your desired facilities haven't been restricted due to snowfall or poor weather.
Inside Lake Francis State Park
Visitors to Lake Francis State Park often sit and contemplate the nature surrounding them. A concession rents canoes to interested visitors who wish to venture along the lake's extensive shores. A boat launch area, complete with a concrete ramp, provides easy access to the lake. A mile-long hiking trail offers an exciting view of the local animal habitat, and a safe swimming beach lets adults and children enjoy a brisk dip. The fishing in Lake Francis is some of the best anglers will find in New Hampshire.
Fishing
Lake Francis is primarily a coldwater fishery that boasts brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, yellow perch and lake trout. The lake's official fishing season is between April and September. Licensed anglers are also welcome to ice fish between January and March.
Nature Watching
New Hampshire's thickly forested acres are home to red and gray foxes, lynxes, white-tailed deer, lemmings, raccoons, martens and porcupines. This state park is also close enough to Canada's borders that visitors occasionally spot larger mammals like moose or bears. Park rangers encourage packing away food in your car to avoid inviting wildlife to your campsite.
Stargazing
The endless clear sky above the 2,000-acre lake promises some of the best stargazing in the state. Consider reserving one of the sites along the lake for easy night-sky viewing right from your RV.
Flora and Fauna
Lake Francis State Park sits within the Great North Woods Region, which includes a large portion of the White Mountain National Forest. The lush land creates the perfect environment for hardwood and alpine forests and plentiful wildflowers. The dominant tree species in this area include red pine, paper birch and balsam fir.
Hiking
To take advantage of the breathtaking scenery, you can walk the easy 1.4-mile River Trail. The yellow tree marks along the Connecticut River and around the campground will eventually lead you to a quaint, covered bridge. The three-mile Lake Francis Trail is well-marked and accessible to all hikers of all experience levels. Be aware that the dirt can become slick and hard to traverse after it rains.
Boating
Feel free to take your boat, kayak or canoe out on the calm waters of Lake Francis. The park's boat launch is one of only two established launches that provide access to the lake.
Swimming
The designated swimming area here is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All recreationists should adhere to posted swimming rules and requirements. All New Hampshire beaches are regularly monitored throughout the season to protect visitors from harmful concerns like cyanobacteria.
How to Get to
Lake Francis State Park
To get to Lake Francis from I-93, you'll want to take Exit 36 onto Route 3 North. Drive along this route to Pittsburg, where you can follow the signs for the state park. If you're starting on I-95, take Route 16 West to Route 26 West. Follow this road until you can drive onto Route 3 in Colebrook. Lake Francis State Park is about 35 minutes from Colebrook and 15 minutes away from Pittsburg.
Entering Lake Francis State Park
Day-use fees for this park are $4 for adults and $2 for children between 6 and 11. Children under the age of 6 and New Hampshire citizens over the age of 65 are free. If you visit during the off-season, you can drop your payment at the self-serve pay station. Day-use parking spots are available near the visitor's center.
Lake Francis State Park Entry Day Use (Adults) : $4.0
Lake Francis State Park Entry Day Use (Ages 6-11) : $2.0
Lake Francis State Park Entry Day Use (Children 5 and Under) : $0.0
Lake Francis State Park Entry Day Use (Seniors) : $0.0
You’ll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Lake Francis State 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 Lake Francis State Park
Come to this state park in the summer to take advantage of the mild weather, swimming opportunities and stunning landscapes. You can also hike, picnic, canoe and enjoy the playground. Stopping by during the warm season also guarantees the park will be open with rangers on standby.
As you explore, keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, foxes, minks, porcupines, raccoons, white-tailed deer and beavers. Some of the most commonly spotted bird species are white-breasted nuthatches, black-backed woodpeckers, chickadees, snow geese, blue jays and purple finches.
Of the 45 campsites at Lake Francis State Park, nine of them come with water and 20-amp electric hookups. Another nine are reserved specifically for ATV users. It costs $25 a night for a no-hookup site and $35 for a hookup or waterside spot.
Reservations aren't a requirement, but they're recommended if you want one of the limited RV-compatible sites. All online reservations come with a $6.50 non-refundable fee. You may also be charged for premature cancellations or for changing your dates of stay.
All pets are welcome as long as you keep them on a retractable leash no more than six feet long. Be sure to clean up and properly dispose of your pet’s waste. Animals are not allowed to be left alone at any time, including at your campsite or in your vehicle.
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