Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Pillsbury
Overview
Pillsbury State Park serves as a quiet sanctuary for those looking to distance themselves from the noise of modern life. Located in Washington, New Hampshire, this park is celebrated for its rustic backcountry atmosphere and a chain of pristine ponds. It is a place where the landscape remains largely untouched, offering a true sense of seclusion within the Granite State's dense forests. For RVers, it provides a rare opportunity to camp in a location that feels truly remote and wild.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the highlands of Sullivan County, the park is characterized by its undisturbed woodlands and a network of interconnected waterways. It acts as a major link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 50-mile hiking trail that connects two of the region's most famous peaks. The surrounding area is exceptionally quiet, providing a dark sky environment perfect for stargazing and observing local wildlife, such as moose and loons, in their natural habitat.
Amenities & Park Features
Visitors should note that this is a primitive facility with no electricity or water hookups. The park features 41 campsites, including several coveted secluded waterfront sites located along the edges of May and Butterfield Ponds. Amenities are intentionally limited to pit toilets and hand-pumped well water, emphasizing a traditional camping experience. Travelers can take advantage of on-site canoe and kayak rentals to explore the various ponds that define the park’s unique geography.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Recreation here centers almost entirely around the water and the woods. Many visitors spend their days paddling across May Pond or fishing for warm-water species in the quiet inlets. For hikers, the park offers access to miles of internal trails and the aforementioned regional greenway. Beyond the park borders, the historic town of Washington provides a glimpse into classic New England architecture, while Mount Sunapee State Park is just a short drive away for more developed recreational activities.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for adventurous nature enthusiasts who prefer silence over modern amenities. Due to the narrow, wooded roads and smaller site pads, the park is best suited for small camper vans, truck campers, or teardrop trailers rather than large motorhomes. If you are looking to disconnect and enjoy a primitive, off-the-grid experience surrounded by wildlife and water, this is the perfect New Hampshire stop for your smaller rig.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
User Reviews
Tim levasseur
Took a nice hike from Pillsbury to Lucia’s Lookout. 3.5 easy miles and .5 not so easy but worth the effort.
Alex
The campground aspect of Pillsbury was amazing; great views of the water, beautiful foliage, and a rustic but adventurous vibe. The real problem lies in their management. I've been to numerous campgrounds and nearly 100% of the employees I've interacted with are extremely friendly and inclined to be helpful in anyway possible and even bend the rules for some situations. However, the employees at the Pillsbury camp store were rude and unhelpful at times to the point of turning away a sale. One employee even gossiped about a member of my party to another of us - strange. We will not be heading back to Pillsbury because of this.
Tamara
We have been camping with our trailer for 10 years now and have never had a situation like this. Unfortunately, this was the worst experience we’ve ever had. We had a 3-night reservation and arrived on Friday around 8:00 pm (a little late, which was our fault). The front desk person looked surprised when we pulled up with our 5th wheel and asked if we were sure we could get into the site. How could we possibly know that if we had never been to this campground before? Our reserved site was 38 feet ( while our camper is 32), and the description on Reserve America listed it as an RV/Tent/Trailer site. I also checked pictures on CampsitePhotos website. We knew there was no dump station, which was fine with us. We also discovered that you can’t even fill your fresh water tank there, but we were willing to work with that too. The real issue was access. The road leading to our site was so narrow that not only would our camper not fit, but even our Ram 3500 truck barely fit. We had no choice but to turn around and leave. The staff at the campground told us there was nothing they could do if we didn’t fit, and we were left without options. It was very disappointing. After my husband drove more than 1.5 hours after a full workday to get us there, he had to turn right back around and drive home. The main problem is the lack of clear communication between the campground and Reserve America. If RVs are not allowed or there is a length restriction, that should be clearly stated in the description. Many other campgrounds clearly post “No RVs” or “No trailers over 20 ft,” which makes planning much easier. This could have been avoided with proper information. Sadly, it left us with a very frustrating experience.
John Fronek
Beautiful park, clean, quiet. Great place to relax without any notifications or news. Staff polite and accommodating.
Eric Salamon
Awesome state park for camping. Some really nice spots right on the pond. Canoeing and fishing was a lot of fun. Unfortunately it was too hot for hiking but Sunapee lake is 20 minutes away and offered a nice spot to cool off. Will definitely be back again.