Odiorne Point State Park located at 570 Ocean Blvd (aka Route 1A) in Rye, NH is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Parking fees apply and are as follows:
• Ages 12+ - $4
• Ages 6 – 11 - $2
• < age 6 & NH residents 65+ - free
• Season passes are available for Individuals, $65, NH family, $110, and out of state family, $125, from New Hampshire State Parks, https://newhampshirestateparks.reserveamerica.com/ .
Reservations can also be made in season, mid April through mid Oct, and up to 30 days in advance as parking is limited by calling Odiorne Point State Park at 603.436.7406. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed, comfort stations are not available and gates should be closed.
Admission to Seacoast Science Center is a separate charge from Odiorne Point State Park and those fees are as follows:
Ages 12+ - $15
Ages 3 – 11 - $10
< age 3 - free
Seniors 65+, active duty military & veterans - $12.50
Seacoast Science Center’s summer, April 16 – Oct 14, hours are Tuesday thru Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Winter, Oct 15 – April 15, hours are Wednesday thru Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Swimming is permitted in the beach area only, but there are no lifeguards on duty so swim at your own risk. Pets are NOT permitted year round at Odiorne State Park per New Hampshire State Parks, but have pets been seen on leash in the offseason, yup.
A few years back Rye enacted a very steep pet poop penalty for those not cleaning up after their pets. It is now considered a class B misdemeanor and a conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000 so please ALWAYS pick up your dog’s poop so all dogs may continue to enjoy the beach.
Public restrooms are available with a paid admission to Seacoast Science Center. A seasonal bathhouse and/or porta potty for park visitors is located at the main entrance from May through early November. Porta potties are available at the boat launch from May through through October. Alcohol, firearms and fires are not permitted in Odiorne Point State Park.
The park's diverse ecosystem offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Isle of Shoals; seven distinctly different natural habitats including a sandy beach, freshwater and salt ponds, the rocky shore, a salt marsh, uplands and woodlands; boating, fishing and picnicking; hiking trails through varied terrain and tidal pools teeming with marine life.
At the heart of the park lies the Seacoast Science Center, a must-visit attraction for nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike. The center features educational programs on marine life and conservation, interactive aquariums / touch tanks, a marine mammal rescue center as well as whale skeletons.
And lastly, history buffs will be fascinated by the remnants of Fort Dearborn scattered throughout the park which include Battery Seaman, a sizable 16-inch gun emplacement, Battery 204, featuring 6-inch gun positions and various bunkers.
Odiorne Point State Park offers a perfect blend of recreation, education and history. Whether you're exploring tide pools, learning about marine life at the Seacoast Science Center or delving into military history, this coastal gem provides a unique and memorable experience. As you walk along the shores or through the forested trails, you'll be treading the same ground as Native Americans, colonial settlers and WWII soldiers making your visit not just a day at the beach, but a journey through New Hampshire's rich coastal heritage.
Odiorne Point State Park features a granite marker commemorating the landing of the first English settlers in New Hampshire in 1623. The Odiorne family, after whom the point is named, settled on the land in the mid-1660s and remained there for generations until World War II.
