Pawtuckaway State Park
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| Pawtuckaway State Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 | |
  Location within New Hampshire | |
| Location | Nottingham, Deerfield, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°6′7″N 71°10′52″W / 43.10194°N 71.18111°W |
| Area | 22.22 km2 (8.58 sq mi) |
| Website | Pawtuckaway State Park |
Pawtuckaway State Park is a 5,000-acre (20 km2) preserve in New Hampshire, United States. It is one of the largest state parks in southeastern New Hampshire[1] and is named for Pawtuckaway Lake and the Pawtuckaway Mountains. The park extends from the west shore of the lake to the west side of the mountains.
The Pawtuckaway Mountains are a small, rocky, circular range that form the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dike[2][3] dating from 130 to 110 million years ago (Cretaceous).[4] The ring dike, first completely mapped in 1944,[4] is a smaller and more accessible example of the same kind of geological process that formed the Ossipee Mountains to the north. The inner ring is roughly one mile in diameter, while the outer is measured at almost two miles.
Earthquakes occurred in the vicinity of the ring dike in the summer and fall of 1845. Known as the Deerfield explosions, they were described as subterranean noises "often as loud as the report of a 12 pounder cannon when heard at a distance of half a mile" but without echoes.[5] They were the subject of much speculation at the time.[6]
Environment
The park lies within the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.[7]
Recreation
The park has 32 miles (51 km) of hiking trails. Trails lead to the approximately 900-foot (270 m) summits of North and South Pawtuckaway mountains and connect the ring dike area to the lake. Other hiking trails lead to ponds, boulder fields, and views of the lake. Some of the hiking trails are used in the winter as snowmobile routes. The Pawtuckaway ring dike includes a boulder field of interest to boulderers,[8] along with roped climbing,[9] and the park is a popular destination for geocaching.
The lake is a 783-acre (317 ha) water body with numerous islands and coves and is a popular boating, fishing, and swimming destination. Since orienteering enthusiasts made an orienteering map of the park in 1992,[10] the park has become a venue for major orienteering meets, including foot orienteering and canoe orienteering.[11] The venue is shared by several orienteering clubs in New England, including Cambridge Sports Union, New England Orienteering Club, and Up North Orienteers.[10]
Park amenities include 5 cabins, 195 campsites, a boat launch, a swimming beach, camp store, ball field, playground, bathhouse, shelters, picnic tables, and canoe, paddleboard, and kayak rentals.[12]
