Odiorne Point State Park is a public recreation area that opened in Rye, New Hampshire in July…read more1972. It is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The park is located along the Atlantic seacoast in Rye, not far from Portsmouth. The area is the site of the Pannaway Plantation: the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Settled in 1622, the plantation was completely abandoned by the 1630s when the settlers moved to nearby Strawberry Banke. The land was settled in the mid-1660s by the Odiorne Family, whom the park is now named after. From 1942 to 1947, the park was the home of Fort Dearborn. The ruins of the deactivated World War II-era fort can still be seen today. Today the park is home to hiking trails, bike paths, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a Seacoast Science Center which opened in 1992. My family and I visited Odiorne Point State Park this summer while we were heading to Maine for a summer getaway. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our AirBnb, so we decided to stop at the park. We had fun exploring the grounds and my two sons especially enjoyed playing on the nautical-themed playground. The highlight of the park is the Seacoast Science Center. There are all sorts of exhibits devoted to the conservation of marine and coastal environments. My two sons loved learning about whales, local shellfish populations, the local fishing industry, the fight against ocean pollution, and underwater exploration. There was even a cool gift shop where we picked up a few things. Whether you live in the area or you're just passing through like us, Odiorne Point State Park is a fun place for the whole family!

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine (and NH) has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Yes. Loop trail? Yes. Well marked signs? Yes. Element of surprise? Yes. I was looking for state parks in New Hampshire and this one caught my eye because of the name, if we're being honest. It sounded magical! So was the way it was advertised: "picnickers can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and rocky shore, and explorers can uncover evidence of past military occupation. An extensive network of trails wind through the dense vegetation and traverse the park. [t]he property is also renowned for its... seven distinct habitats that can be visited within an hour's walk. Although the spectacular rocky shore is the one of the most notable, the woodlands, uplands, salt marsh, freshwater and salt ponds, and sandy beach (non-swimming) combine to create one of the region's most diverse nature walks." I like a little bit of everything, and this sounded like it had just that! The first time I came I bought a pass online; when we arrived it was a freak snowstorm and we were the only ones there. So we had a literal winter wonderland to play around it. The views from the coast were lovely and offer plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy yourself at, but exploring the woods that day was even more amazing - we spent a lot of time with a big buck who kept finding himself lazily meandering on the same trail as us. Thank goodness for binoculars! And the element of surprise! There was also some tremendously graffitied old batteries, a breakwater (that becomes nearly inaccessible when the tide is high; reversely when the tide is low that same area exposes a Sandy beach), there's an area called Pirate's Cove, an old cemetery, and Dolphin Fountain (which looks like it belongs in France, not NH). This became an immediate favorite! I can't wait to come back and see it in Spring and Summer! (SIDE NOTE: There's also the Seacoast Science Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, that provides educational exhibits related to the seacoast area for a separate fee; but, I haven't been able to check that out yet!)

The Rye Harbor State Park offers some great views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Isles of Shoals, and…read morethe Rye Harbor. This is a great place to do some saltwater fishing, have a picnic, or just to enjoy the scenic views. Others may utilize this spot for private events and for weddings. There is a fee to access the park, and when it is unstaffed for a portion of the year, there is a self-paying kiosk. Plenty of parking off the main road as well!

This little park has a beautiful view of the ocean. Please be aware that between the hours of 7am…read moreand 9pm, no dogs are allowed after April until late fall.

Great park off the beaten path in Rye! They have a sports field out behind the playground,…read morebaseball, and basketball. It appears that dogs are okay as a few were there while we were. They have bathrooms but they were locked when we were there- might be a seasonal thing or only when a sports activity is going on. Plenty of parking! If you live in the area or are driving through and need an area to let the kids (and dogs) run around, then this is a great stop!

Parking is affordable and just a short, very short walk to the beach. Bathrooms are close and very…read moreclean for beach bathrooms. Little beach shop/store is usually open in the summer for some yummy treats.

Do you like relaxation -- maybe with a lil sand snuggled between ur toesy-wozies? If yes, grab your…read morecrockpot + maracas, lather ur bod in dat SPF protectant, and get over to Wallis Sands State Beach for a little R&R&RT (rest & relaxation & rad times). Yes, yes -- get to dat beach + plop ur dump truck down in that flimsy Walgreens beach chair that has been rotting in your garage for, like, 9+ months now. Breathe it in: yes, yes dat fresh salt air. Salt! Mmm, yes... Also politely ask that person on the beach blanket next to you to crank up "Daisies" by Justin Bieber from their portable JBL speaker just a smidge louder. That's right -- set the mood for ur ultimate New Hampshiran beach day. Smack a beachball, David. Slurp a wine cooler, Darlene. Hold a hermit crab captive (they don't have feelings, silly). And go on and say things like "ew, seaweed!" and "wow, look at that kite!" and "Ed Sheeran is one of my favorite artists!" Yay! Enjoy your day, Freddie + Barbara -- hopefully you trekked to Wallis Sands State Beach without the kids...ya know? They are, like, so annoying. Brutal. R&R&RT is best without juice boxes and bad attitudes. Children belong in front of YouTube. You belong in front of the Atlantic -- alone + unbothered -- left to simply worry about ur sun exposure. It's cute. Soak up the sun, Sheryl Crow! Enjoy da beach + ur yacht rock playlist, also. Cheers! Seashells! Toes! Crockpots!

I absolutely looooooove this park! Having formerly lived a stone's throw from here on Mechanic…read moreStreet, I would frequent this park on the daily back in the day. It is a staple in Strawbery Banke and Portsmouth. It is always so super clean, there are bathrooms available, there is street parking nearby, and it is actually quite large and has a lot to offer. In the summertime they offer plays on their stage that are free to the public, as well as other shows for a small fee. Several musicians play here too (Ani DiFranco, anyone?!), and people usually bring their chairs or blankets and camp out on the grass to watch the entertainment. There is plenty of green space, but there are also walkways, and benches scattered throughout. Toward the front end of the park, there is a wildflower garden with a fountain that operates during the summer months. There is a vegetable and herb garden that is within the center of the park as well that members of the park can pay into if they wish to do so. There is also a composting station toward the back end of the park too. This park is very green friendly, no pun intended! My favorite part of the park though are the docks that jut out into the Piscataqua River. There are three if I'm not mistaken, and there are benches on each for your sitting and viewing pleasure. It is a very tranquil, relaxing, and quiet park off the beaten path right on the outskirts of the downtown area heading into Strawbery Banke. River boats also depart from here, and you can buy your tickets on the Prescott Park website. Overall, this is one of my favorite parks, not only for what it offers, but for what it symbolizes for me, which is pure happiness and nostalgia. I come here every time I'm down town, and it really never gets old. Keep up the good work, Portsmouth :)

Patriot was here at Prescott Park on May of 2026 on a warm Saturday afternoon. Nice park area…read morewith a stage area and food venue

After a long car ride there was nothing more I wanted to do than put my feet in the ocean. I was…read moredrawn here before I knew I needed to be here. Not seeing the ocean in over two years I was in desperate need to have that sand between the toes moment I had been missing. From where I was staying I had many choices of beaches to discover, but I am so glad that it was this one that I did discover. Getting here was a bit tricky for me, but with determination anything is possible. When I arrived to the area where everyone was parking, I see that I was not the only one that had the idea to head the beach that day. I parked and started trekking my way to the beach. It's a beautiful short walk from where you park. Along the way you get to see a lot of the great people that live in the area. Each one of them at least smiled at me as we passed. One even said that it is beautiful back there and I was going to enjoy myself. She did not lie. Like many said, this is an old fort. So there is some history to this place. Which makes it that much more of a beautiful place. As soon as I reached the beach area I didn't look around much, I just b-lined it to the beach, kicked off my shoes and stood there and waited for that rush of water over my feet. The type where you feel shocked because of the temperature difference, but one that relieves all the stress you have been feeling. Nearing sunset this place affords some pretty great pictures to be taken. The pier allows you to venture out onto the water without having to swim your way out. Even though the water is a bright green you can see all the way to the bottom. Man, this is exactly what I needed on a vacation. Sun, sand and surf. Breathing in that salty air really cleared my mind.

This review is intended for loud tourists from MA that don't know how to park their Abrams…read moretank-sized car. DO NOT GO THERE. If someone has told you that this is a beautiful beach park with fabulous views, they were dead wrong. If you think it might be a great place to fire up a grill and relax, you are sorely mistaken. If you got the crazy idea in your head that this would be the perfect way to spend a summer day, I say, no way, Jose. This place is not for you. Keep on trucking in your monstrous SUV. The fried dough at Old Orchard Beach is calling out to you.

Before our visit to the science center I wondered if it would be a good fit for the ages of 6-12,…read morebut it was. in fact, this is a place for anyone over the age of one. Everyone learned a great deal and had a fun time. We loved that it was self guided. The staff is great. The gift shop has a wide variety of affordable items. I wish it had not been raining because we could have spent the entire day at the state park. There is also a great playground.

Odiorne Point State Park is a public recreation area that opened in Rye, New Hampshire in July…read more1972. It is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The park is located along the Atlantic seacoast in Rye, not far from Portsmouth. The area is the site of the Pannaway Plantation: the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Settled in 1622, the plantation was completely abandoned by the 1630s when the settlers moved to nearby Strawberry Banke. The land was settled in the mid-1660s by the Odiorne Family, whom the park is now named after. From 1942 to 1947, the park was the home of Fort Dearborn. The ruins of the deactivated World War II-era fort can still be seen today. Today the park is home to hiking trails, bike paths, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a Seacoast Science Center which opened in 1992. My family and I visited Odiorne Point State Park this summer while we were heading to Maine for a summer getaway. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our AirBnb, so we decided to stop at the park. We had fun exploring the grounds and my two sons especially enjoyed playing on the nautical-themed playground. The highlight of the park is the Seacoast Science Center. There are all sorts of exhibits devoted to the conservation of marine and coastal environments. My two sons loved learning about whales, local shellfish populations, the local fishing industry, the fight against ocean pollution, and underwater exploration. There was even a cool gift shop where we picked up a few things. Whether you live in the area or you're just passing through like us, Odiorne Point State Park is a fun place for the whole family!

This is a great spot to try out if you are visiting with young children. There are several picnic…read moretables under shady trees to enjoy a snack. The playscape is beautiful with a fun zip line feature and plenty of climbing, slides, and swings for different ages. We enjoyed the playground first then walked over to the small beach which wasn't too crowded and perfect for an hour of cooling off in the water and searching for cool rocks. There is an outdoor shower for washing off after the beach by the bathrooms. The only thing we were surprised about was the lack of garbages, not a big deal as we just put our garbage in our bag to throw away later.

The way to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was closed for renovation so we ended up just checking…read moreGreat Island Common. It's actually a large enough place with plenty of parking and had some good amount of spots for gatherings/picnics/BBQ. I didnt feel like it was the most beautiful place although the view of the harbor was. I enjoyed the little painter decor that they have and that wide open feel of just standing by the waters. However i felt like the place needed some TLC. Idk. The gentleman by the entrance was very kind and sweet though and allowed us to just check the area for some quick pics for free as we didnt stay too long for this visit.

Absolutely stunning views as you walk along the trail. So many great spots to take pictures and…read morejust enjoy the the sights. Trail can be quite busy, make sure to move to the side for faster travelers. Pathway is pretty easy, just a few ups and downs... very doable. We loved this spot so much, we came back again before we headed home.

The walk is a must to view the gorgeous coast of York. Definitely wear good walking shoes and pay…read moreattention to the trail. This not a paved sidewalk. There are any areas of uneven rocks and no railing, but it is a must . There are plenty of areas to stop and enjoy the spectacular views. The walk is just over one half mile and ends, or begins at the public beach. There are many signs warning of poison ivy, so it is best not to touch any of the plants.

Gorgeous views and an expansive, clean beach with white sands perfect for flying a kite, taking a…read morestroll - or if you're more athletic and adventurous, surfing. On a cold day, we were content watching surfers paddle out to catch a wave in bracing 45-degree ocean waters. Located in upscale Rye, NH: Practice talking out of the side of your mouth like Thurston Howell IIII from Gilligan's Island.

This "beach" is an absolute joke.! There is NO PARKING! You have to park on the street and "hike"…read morewith all your beach stuff. If you like overcrowded beaches, this is for you.