Bear Brook Reservations

Campsites and cabins at Bear Brook State Park are booked through ReserveAmerica, online or at 1-877-647-2757, up to 11 months ahead, with a $7 non-refundable reservation fee. Day visitors can also reserve a beach pass or a hiking pass up to 30 days ahead for a $1 transaction fee. You don't need a day pass to visit, but parking is limited on nice weekends and holidays, and a reservation keeps you from being turned away.

Booking a Campsite or Cabin

NH State Parks takes all campground reservations through ReserveAmerica. You can book online at any hour or call the ReserveAmerica call center, which is open 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. New dates open at the 11-month mark: 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends.

Bear Brook's booking page has separate areas for the Beaver Pond campground, the Bear Hill cabins and the pavilions. Pick the right one before you search for dates.

Minimum Stays

A booking for next season needs at least three nights. For the current season, a booking made before April 1 also needs three nights; from April 1 on, one night is enough. That is why short stays open up in spring.

Changes and Cancellations

• Changes cost $2.15 and can only be made by phone, before the cut-off the day before arrival.
• Changing the name on a booking counts as a cancellation. Only the named person can check in.
• Cancel 10 or more days before arrival: full refund minus the transaction fee.
• Cancel 4 to 9 days before: refund minus the reservation fee and one night of camping.
• Cancel 0 to 3 days before: no refund.
• No refunds for weather or mosquitoes. Other refund requests go in writing within 14 days of departure.

Day-Use Passes: Beach and Hiking

NH State Parks sells two kinds of day pass for Bear Brook: a beach pass for the Catamount Pond area and a hiking pass for the trails. Each is booked for one date, up to 30 days ahead, and you can buy one until 5 pm, even after you arrive. You can cancel online for a refund of the admission fee until 9 am on the day of your visit. The $1 transaction fee is never refunded, and changes are by phone only. The admission prices themselves are on hours and fees.

Walk-in spaces are kept for visitors without a reservation, first come, first served. Season pass and State Parks plate holders have a few spaces set aside too, but the park still recommends they reserve on busy days. They pay only the $1 fee. New Hampshire seniors 65 and over should enter themselves as NH senior citizens in the occupant section, not as adults, to get free entry.

Pavilions and Groups

Bear Brook rents two group pavilions. The Bathhouse Pavilion sits at the Catamount Pond swimming area, holds up to 100 people and costs $200 for up to 50 guests or $400 for 51 to 100. The Shelter Pavilion is an old CCC pavilion down the street from the day-use area, and it holds up to 400. Both are booked on ReserveAmerica, and the minimum up-front payment is $400; the park emails you about any balance.

Youth and school groups visiting for the day must call the park at least two weeks ahead. Youth group camping needs a $25 deposit and is booked by phone.

Tips That Save a Trip

• Book summer weekends at the campground as soon as the 11-month window opens.
• Check the booking site in early spring for one-night stays once the minimum drops.
• On a hot weekend, book the beach pass the day before. You can cancel by 9 am if it rains.
• If you arrive late for a campsite, call the park. Check-in ends at 8 pm.