Hike New England - Odiorne Point State Park

Odiorne Point State Park

Area:		Odiorne Point State Park
Region:		NH - Southeast Seacoast Region, Odiorne Point State Park
Location:		Rye, NH
Rating:		Easy
Features:		Ocean
Distance:		Variable
Elevation Gain:		Minimal
Season:		Variable
Last Updated:		06/26/2012
Author:		Phil Blampied

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Odiorne Point State Park features and trail map
(map courtesy of Odiorne Point State Park)

Trail Guide

This information has been excerpted (with permission) from 20 Great Easy Woods Walks near Seacoast New Hampshire, by Phil Blampied, copyright 1999.

Odiorne is a large woodland right on the ocean shore, offering great contrasts between water and woods. It's one of the few places where a cross-country ski run can end at ocean surf. Extensive, well-used trails cut through the woods in several directions, and the remains of old military buildings, used for coastline defense through World War II, provide interesting exploration. In the summer, the sandy edge of Seavey's Creek (the inlet from Little Harbor) is a great place to pull up a kayak or small boat.

NH - Southeast

Driving Directions

Odiorne is located on Rt. 1A just over the Rye border. It can be approached from Portsmouth on Sagamore Avenue (follow the signs for Rt. 1A) or from the south by following the road that comes up the coast (which is also 1A). The main parking area is clearly marked with signs and a toll booth. A second parking area, just before the bridge over the inlet from Little Harbor, is open occasionally.

About Odiorne Point State Park

The 331-acre Odiorne Point State Park, located in Rye, New Hampshire, offers a network of walking trails as well as a paved bicyle path. You can choose to hike deep in the woods, or right along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and Little Harbor. A thorough exploration will lead you from small sandy or pebble beaches and sheltered tidal pools, through woods and fields, among old military bunkers, and along marshes and Seavey Creek.

Odiorne is a great place to walk, snowshoe, cross-country ski, bike, boat, fish, and picnic. The paved bike path/sidewalk is inside the park but roughly parallels Route 1A and is about one mile long. Biking is also allowed on the footpaths. There are picnic tables, restrooms, and even the Seacoast Science Center which has exhibits relating to the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area. The restroom building is only open in-season.

The Seacoast Science Center is open year-round so the parking area is accessible year-round although a park entrance fee is only charged in-season which generally runs from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend. However, during the off-season, as well as roughly from Labor Day to Columbus Day, the gate closes around 5:00 p.m. so you have to be careful not to let your car get locked in the parking lot. If you're worried about getting locked in, you can instead park at a small pull-off along Rt. 1A, just south of Odiorne.

Odiorne Point State Park: 603.436.7406
New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation's East Region: 603.436.1552

Fees as of 6/26/12:

Park Entry: $4.00 for ages 12-adult; $2.00 for ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free (in-season)
Science Center Fee: $5.00 for ages 13-adult; $2.00 for ages 3-12; children under age 3 and members are admitted free (year-round)

More Odiorne Point Trail Reports

Odiorne Point on 6/24/2000

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