Hampton Beach State Park
4.6(17K)google
3.6(130)yelp
CampingSwimmingFamilySummer RetreatOutdoorOcean ViewBeach
Overview
Hampton Beach State Park is a 50-acre (20 ha) state park in the community of Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, United States. It is located on the southeastern edge of New Hampshire on a peninsula where the Hampton River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean Boulevard (New Hampshire Route 1A) forms the western edge of the park.
Practical Info
Every day8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeJuly and August are peak seasons for coastal swimming and sunbathing along the Atlantic surf. Hit the shoreline early between 5:30 AM and 7:30 AM to capture a magnificent ocean sunrise when the sugar-white sand is empty and the low morning light hits the historic beachfront rocks, completely escaping premium parking premium rates.
Getting TherePerched at the southern tip of the Hampton coastal strip at 10 State Park Road. Drive north from Boston on I-95 N into NH, take Exit 1 for NH-107 E toward Seabrook, and turn onto the scenic ocean highway NH-1A N across the bridge. The park entrance sits on your right, providing an enormous, free high-capacity paved parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- Parking lots reach maximum capacity before 09:00 on summer weekends; missing an advance online reservation results in turning away, with strict towing rules nearby.
- The coast is highly exposed to Atlantic undertows and massive tidal shifts; swimming requires strict alignment with warning flags at lifeguard towers.
- State laws mandate an absolute ban on recreational drones, glass containers, alcohol consumption, and pets within the primary beachfront zones.
Reviews
Positive
- The finest Atlantic beach in NH! The sand is wide and fine-grained, offering a premier summer oasis for swimming and sunbathing.
- The state park features an excellent RV campground equipped with full hookups, situated just a few short steps from the crashing surf.
- Public sanitation is good with regular trash cans, and the south-end bathhouse offers plenty of clean showers and changing zones.
- Perfectly adjacent to the bustling Hampton Beach boardwalk, packed with endless ice cream shacks, seafood joints, and arcades.
Heads up
- On July and August weekends, the state lot fills before 10 AM, and nearby private lots seize the chance to charge extortionate rates.
- The crowds are massive; during peak season, the sand is blanketed shoulder-to-shoulder with umbrellas, destroying any natural tranquility.
- Even in mid-summer, the New England Atlantic water temperatures remain chillingly cold, limiting long swims for young kids.
- Due to high foot traffic, litter like plastic bottles and cigarette butts occasionally pops up in the sand during busy rushes.