Rye Harbor State Park
Rye Harbor State Park
4
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
State park located on the Atlantic coast.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
27
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,593 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
On a warm day in early November, I took drive along the coast and re-visited several New Hampshire state parks. This was the second one.
Rye Harbor State Park is located on Ragged Neck, a short peninsula.
The park is very picturesque spot. One can see some of the Isles of Shoals and Rye Harbor a well as scenic views of the ocean.
Facilities include restrooms, a pavilion with picnic tables, outdoor picnic tables, and benches.
The park also has The 1614 Monument, a tall obelisk that honors Captain John Smith, who explored and mapped the New England coastline in 1614. The monument was installed and dedicated in 2014 ~ some 400 years later.
Near the marker, one can find Northern Sea Oats growing and watch them sway, if there's a breeze.
During my visit, I enjoyed walking around to all the points of interest and for scenic views from the three sides of the peninsula.
On this visit, I spent about 10 minutes at The 1614 Monument, taking in all the details on it.
There is also a small beach, but it has a lot of rocks.
Also on that side, one can see a fog bell on the jetty near the entrance to Rye Harbor.
I rate Rye Harbor State Park at 4.5 and can recommend a visit for the views, the historical marker, and the monument.
The reason for the delay in submitting this review was due to a months-long loss of my ability to post photos with my reviews and some health issues.
If you found this review useful, please click the THUMBS UP to indicate HELPFUL.
Rye Harbor State Park is located on Ragged Neck, a short peninsula.
The park is very picturesque spot. One can see some of the Isles of Shoals and Rye Harbor a well as scenic views of the ocean.
Facilities include restrooms, a pavilion with picnic tables, outdoor picnic tables, and benches.
The park also has The 1614 Monument, a tall obelisk that honors Captain John Smith, who explored and mapped the New England coastline in 1614. The monument was installed and dedicated in 2014 ~ some 400 years later.
Near the marker, one can find Northern Sea Oats growing and watch them sway, if there's a breeze.
During my visit, I enjoyed walking around to all the points of interest and for scenic views from the three sides of the peninsula.
On this visit, I spent about 10 minutes at The 1614 Monument, taking in all the details on it.
There is also a small beach, but it has a lot of rocks.
Also on that side, one can see a fog bell on the jetty near the entrance to Rye Harbor.
I rate Rye Harbor State Park at 4.5 and can recommend a visit for the views, the historical marker, and the monument.
The reason for the delay in submitting this review was due to a months-long loss of my ability to post photos with my reviews and some health issues.
If you found this review useful, please click the THUMBS UP to indicate HELPFUL.
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHjo
Saco, ME14,919 contributions
Jul 2021
I've always liked this park on Ragged Neck, mostly for the great views of the harbor itself and the ocean. It's more peaceful than Rye Beach State Park and of course the Hampton state parks down the road. It has some nice picnic and fishing spots, a shelter, restrooms, and lots of benches. The beach is pretty rocky, but you can always see several sea ducks floating around! A lot of weddings are held here because of the location. The Isles of Shoals are seven miles out, which you can catch a boat to from the harbor. It's just across from Ray's Seafood, the second most popular seafood place on Rye's coast.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,593 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
This is a great place to enjoy the outdoors near the ocean away from crowded beaches.
There are several benches along the oceanfront near the parking lot and a couple of picnic tables. On my visit, I noticed that some folks had brought a full-sized umbrella which they had opened and set up right beside one of the picnic tables to provide some shade at the table. That was a good idea.
The building for the restrooms is near the parking area. It has an adjacent covered pavilion with about six picnic tables.
Both areas overlook the harbor and the jetty.
There is a very small beach not far from the restroom building. It’s down a slope from the grounds.
The park has two historic landmarks.
The first was the Captain John Smith Monument on Ragged Neck Point overlooking the Isles of Shoals and the North Atlantic. It was dedicated August 14, 2014 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Smith’s 1614 voyage when he mapped the region and renamed it from “Northern Virginia” to “New England.” It was made with slabs of New Hampshire granite from Swenson Granite Works. There are four granite benches nearby.
The second is a marker I’d looked for along NH Route 1A before. It had been hiding in the state park all this time. It was the “Isles of Shoals” New Hampshire State Historic Marker. It is placed here because of its proximity to them. The text reads:
About six miles offshore, these nine rocky islands served Europeans as a fishing station before the first mainland settlements were made in 1623. Capt. John Smith (1560-1631) named the group Smith's Isles in 1614. The codfish that shoaled or schooled there in huge numbers were a prized delicacy that supported 300 to 600 inhabitants before The Revolution. By the mid-1600s, new hotels attracted a summer colony of writers and artists, chief of whom was poet Celia Thaxter (1835-1894). The islands have supported religious conferences since 1897 and marine research since 1928.
Beyond the monument, there are more benches overlooking the ocean. I took one. This was a nice place to relax. Three women on vacation in the Seacoast Region joined me.
On a clear day, one can see the Isles of Shoals and White Island Lighthouse on White Island in the distance.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
There are several benches along the oceanfront near the parking lot and a couple of picnic tables. On my visit, I noticed that some folks had brought a full-sized umbrella which they had opened and set up right beside one of the picnic tables to provide some shade at the table. That was a good idea.
The building for the restrooms is near the parking area. It has an adjacent covered pavilion with about six picnic tables.
Both areas overlook the harbor and the jetty.
There is a very small beach not far from the restroom building. It’s down a slope from the grounds.
The park has two historic landmarks.
The first was the Captain John Smith Monument on Ragged Neck Point overlooking the Isles of Shoals and the North Atlantic. It was dedicated August 14, 2014 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Smith’s 1614 voyage when he mapped the region and renamed it from “Northern Virginia” to “New England.” It was made with slabs of New Hampshire granite from Swenson Granite Works. There are four granite benches nearby.
The second is a marker I’d looked for along NH Route 1A before. It had been hiding in the state park all this time. It was the “Isles of Shoals” New Hampshire State Historic Marker. It is placed here because of its proximity to them. The text reads:
About six miles offshore, these nine rocky islands served Europeans as a fishing station before the first mainland settlements were made in 1623. Capt. John Smith (1560-1631) named the group Smith's Isles in 1614. The codfish that shoaled or schooled there in huge numbers were a prized delicacy that supported 300 to 600 inhabitants before The Revolution. By the mid-1600s, new hotels attracted a summer colony of writers and artists, chief of whom was poet Celia Thaxter (1835-1894). The islands have supported religious conferences since 1897 and marine research since 1928.
Beyond the monument, there are more benches overlooking the ocean. I took one. This was a nice place to relax. Three women on vacation in the Seacoast Region joined me.
On a clear day, one can see the Isles of Shoals and White Island Lighthouse on White Island in the distance.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written August 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smnthcrly
Madbury, NH88 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Rye Harbor State Park was the perfect place for our beautiful outdoor, beach themed wedding. We loved the large, flat, open grassy area and the close proximity to the water. No electricity meant we had to bring a generator but we set it up a little ways away from the tent and we never heard it. One important point is that Google Maps places the park on the wrong side of the road, making the small wooden sign easy to miss!
Written August 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob
Merrimack, NH419 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
I am attracted to a jetty. The Rye Harbor area is an opportunity to enjoy a small state park, 300d of ocean view. I have done it all here, read a book, ate my lunch, and my favorite is fishing from the jetty. A word of caution, this is NOT a kids playground. The jetty is for real and the water is deep and cold. This nature at its best and needs to be respected.
Written August 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HopeLady
Wynantskill, NY95 contributions
Jul 2018
This would be a top spot except that by going to the honor system for payment, there is no one cleaning up regularly or checking on people during the day. We visited two days in a row, and both days the garbage was still on the lawn. We would have cleaned it up, but needed a bag, medical gloves, and soap for washing afterwards. Human or dog but left behind ruining an otherwise beautiful spot.
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kgdawson
Hampton, NH3 contributions
Sep 2012
The best of New England. Rocky coastline. White clapboard houses. Sailboats. Come for the morning or spend the day. An especially pretty and protected place to paint or picnic
Written December 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brownfootedboobie
Boston, MA1,200 contributions
small park without a beach or swimming. nice benches and picnic area .cant beat the isle of shoals view.best close up view from land.
Written November 1, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Route128North
North Shore, MA10,151 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We made a quick stop at Rye Harbor State Park during an early spring visit to the NH coast. What lovely views of the harbor and of White Island Lighthouse on the Isles of Shoals! We were especially interested to see the 1614 Monument commemorating John Smith’s expedition to the area, which took place a few years after he founded the Jamestown, Virginia settlement. The monument includes a bronze replica of Smith’s nautical map of the region. Dedicated last year on the 400th anniversary, the monument is 16 feet, 14 inches high (17’ 2”) to symbolize the year of the journey. Because we were there in the “pre-season,” parking was plentiful and we did not pay a fee. Nearly all the picnic tables were available as well. This is a good stop for those who like their coastal views with a little bit of early New England history.
Written August 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucylovebug01
Rollinsford2 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
My daughter's wedding reception was recently held at the beautiful location of Rye Harbor State Park. The park has a beautiful 40x80, three-peaked white tent and provides electricity. The bathrooms could use some updating as they are the "typical" state park restrooms but they served the purpose. If you are looking to have a seaside wedding, at a fraction of the cost of other venues in the nearby area, then I highly recommend this absolutely jewel of a location.
Written June 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
According to the park website, the fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 11. If the kiosk is unattended, you deposit the money in what is called the iron ranger.
Written July 2, 2017
deebobmat
Hudson, New Hampshire
can I park my 24 foot motor home in the parking lot when I take a day trip?
Written June 8, 2016
I am planning a wedding of about 50-60 people, is the 80x40 tent that's there way too big for a smaller group like that? We are having a reception but not like your typical reception with dancing and music and speeches. We are just doing a big feast after the ceremony. Is this tent way too big for that?
Written August 21, 2015
what is the cost to host an event (wedding) at the park? who should be contacted for more details?
thank you!
Written August 12, 2015
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