Plan Your Visit

Plan a Bear Brook visit around what you want to do, because the swimming pond, the trails, the archery range and the campground are spread across about 10,000 acres with separate entrances. Budget for the $4 adult day-use fee, book a beach or hiking pass for summer weekends, download a map before you lose cell signal, and plan to carry out your trash.

When to Go

Search interest in the park climbs from spring, peaks in July and falls to its low point in December. NH State Parks says parking is limited on nice weekends and holidays, and summer weekends are the busiest days at Catamount Pond. For quieter trails, go on a weekday, early in the morning, or in September and October after the beach goes unstaffed.

• Summer: swimming at Catamount Pond (staffed daily from May 22, unstaffed from September 7 in 2026), camping, the CCC Museum on Sunday afternoons.
• Fall: riding and hiking in cooler weather; hiking areas stay staffed until they go unstaffed on November 1.
• Winter: skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in an unstaffed park; see winter.
• Spring: trout fishing at Archery Pond once designated trout ponds open on the fourth Saturday of April.

A Simple Day Plan

1. Arrive at Catamount Pond on Deerfield Road in the morning and pay the day-use fee at the tollbooth.
2. Walk the One Mile Trail, a wide former fire road, and add the Catamount Trail if you want a steep climb to the lookout.
3. Come back for a picnic and a swim at Catamount Pond.
4. On a summer Sunday, stop at the CCC Museum between 2 and 4 pm on the way out.

With a bike instead, park on Podunk Road and ride the trail grid in the middle of the park. With a fly rod, go straight to Archery Pond by the archery field.

What to Bring

• The official trail map, printed or saved offline. Cell coverage is limited.
• Water, snacks, a light and a rain layer for any hike longer than an hour.
• A trash bag. The park is carry in, carry out.
• Your own bow and arrows for the archery range, and a fishing license if you are 16 or older.

Getting In on a Busy Day

NH State Parks says parking is limited, especially on nice weekends and holidays. A beach pass or hiking pass, booked online up to 30 days ahead, holds your spot. You can cancel by 9 am on the day for a refund of the admission fee. See reservations and parking and directions.

Staying Overnight

There are three ways to stay: a tent or RV site at Beaver Pond Campground, a walk-in cabin on Bear Hill Pond, or the hike-in Smith Pond Shelter. All are booked through ReserveAmerica up to 11 months ahead, and summer weekends go early.

Accessibility

The Bathhouse Pavilion at Catamount Pond has a ramp, the archery practice range is universally accessible, and Archery Pond is listed as wheelchair accessible for fishing. NH State Parks asks visitors with specific accessibility needs to call the park office at (603) 485-9869.