North Hampton Beach State Park RV & Campground Guide

There is a geocache at this park near the beach. You can use your smartphone or GPS device to find it. Once you do, you can take a prize and sign the logbook. However, remember to bring a family-friendly item to leave in the container for the next treasure hunter.

Fishing is permitted at North Hampton Beach State Park, and species you may find in the saltwater include striped bass, bluefish, Atlantic cod, Atlantic mackerel, haddock, pollock, winter flounder, and cusk. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends anglers use circle, non-offset hooks for catch-and-release fishing to reduce mortality rates. Recommended baits include clamworms, cut bait, clams, and live fish, as well as artificial poppers, swimbaits, bucktail jigs, diamond jigs, and rolling tubes.

A lot of visitors to this state park enjoy bird watching while on the beach. The most commonly seen birds include the area's native seaside nesters, which are piping plovers, killdeers, spotted sandpipers, and willets. Other New Hampshire birds frequently come to the beach to feed on marine life, and these may include bald eagles, common nighthawks, northern harriers, and peregrine falcons. Aside from birds, wildlife that roam the beach may include the northern water snake, eastern box turtle, spotted turtle, snapping turtle, blue-spotted salamander, mudpuppy, green frog, and Fowler's toad.

Swimming is the most popular activity at this state park, and swimming is permitted year-round, though lifeguards are only available from June through the middle of August. Swimmers, specifically during hurricane seasons, may frequently experience rip currents, so visitors should check the local weather conditions and be prepared to swim close to the shore when these currents are present. Swimmers can also use the park's bathhouse for changing, though this building usually closes during the off-season.

Carry-in boats can be launched from North Hampton Beach State Park, including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats. For motorized boating, boaters may use a nearby boat launch outside of the park, such as the launch found at Hampton Beach to the south.