Campton Day Use Area
Picnic ground
4.8 (12)
NH-49, Campton, NH 03223
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Regional Archive With One Manager-Supported River Swimming AreaNH
Campton Region Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Compare Livermore Falls' $5-per-car swimming access with the historical Smarts and West Branch routes. Check parking, pets and site-specific services.
Swimming restriction
Livermore prohibits pets and Livermore Road parking. No bridge-jumping, sliding or general bathing authorization is established at the archived brook locations.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Regional Archive With One Manager-Supported River Swimming Area
Access
Informal
Fee
Livermore: $5 per car, including self-payment when unstaffed. No common fee or free-entry promise for all three historical stops.
Best season
Livermore's page lists unstaffed operation from September 7
Nearby towns
Plymouth, Campton
Water body
Pemigewasset River, Smarts Brook And West Branch Brook
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Plymouth, Campton
Access location not verified
CAMPTON, NH
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Campton Swimming
The three stops in this archive are Livermore Falls, Smarts Brook and West Branch Brook. They are not three interchangeable sections of Campton Falls. Livermore has current state-park swimming information; the two brook routes remain historical leads with less certain water-entry permission.
Reserve or pay for the Livermore visit
NH State Parks supports swimming, paddling and picnicking at 86 Livermore Road in Holderness. Admission is $5 per car, with self-payment when unstaffed. Parking is limited and day-use reservations are recommended. Parking along Livermore Road is prohibited; pets are not permitted. The adjacent historic bridge is not state-owned and does not authorize jumping.
Treat Smarts Brook as a mapped hike first
The Forest Service confirms the Smarts Brook trailhead and hiking network, with no restrooms or potable water at the trailhead. Its current page does not verify the archived one-mile pool approach, today's bathing permission or a family-safe depth. Use current trail maps and ask the district about the intended water location.
Recheck the West Branch snowmobile route
The archived Forest Road 378, snowmobile junction and broken-shed landmarks date to old reports. They do not establish current parking, a legal crossing or an open swimming entrance. Do not drive around gates or treat an old shed as a destination sign.
Check the named destination before travel
Getting There
For the confirmed swimming option, use Livermore Falls Recreation Area at 86 Livermore Road, Holderness, and its designated lot. Smarts and West Branch require separate current route and permission checks.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
For the confirmed swimming option, use Livermore Falls Recreation Area at 86 Livermore Road, Holderness, and its designated lot. Smarts and West Branch require separate current route and permission checks.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Livermore prohibits pets and Livermore Road parking. No bridge-jumping, sliding or general bathing authorization is established at the archived brook locations. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Campton Falls
Scenic spot
4.6 (125)
686 New Hampshire Rte 175, Campton, NH 03223
Livermore Falls State Forest Pemi River Access
State park
4.5 (223)
86 Livermore Rd, Holderness, NH 03245
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Livermore Falls
Historical place
4.5 (104)
Stardust Lane, Campton, NH 03223
Branch Brook Campground
Campground
4.4 (393)
97 Branch Brook Rd, Campton, NH 03223
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Campton Campground
Campground
4.2 (103)
Thornton, NH 03285
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Public bathroom and showers
Public bathroom
4.8 (6)
447 Main St, Gorham, NH 03581
White Mountain National Forest Headquarters
Visitor center
4.8 (45)
71 White Mountain Dr, Campton, NH 03223
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Campton Region Swimming Spots
Which three places does the Campton archive actually name?
Livermore Falls, Smarts Brook and West Branch Brook. A saved Campton Falls record is not proof that its photographs or facilities belong to those three stops.
Where is the currently supported swimming option?
NH State Parks explicitly supports swimming at Livermore Falls Recreation Area, 86 Livermore Road in Holderness.
What does Livermore cost and can we reserve parking?
The current day-use fee is $5 per car. Reservations are recommended for limited parking; walk-in spaces are first come, first served. Pay at the self-service station when unstaffed.
Can we bring a dog or park along Livermore Road?
No. The park prohibits pets, and roadside parking on Livermore Road is not allowed.
Does Smarts Brook have toilets or drinking water?
The Forest Service trailhead page says no restrooms and no potable water. Bring drinking water and verify the intended trail and bathing location separately.
Is the old West Branch route a verified current entrance?
No. Its snowmobile junction and shed landmarks are historical. Confirm legal parking, land access and the exact pool before using that route.
Highlights
Livermore Falls' dramatic cascades
Emerald pool at Smarts Brook
Secluded ledges at West Branch Brook
Easy hikes to swimming spots
Striking seasonal scenery
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Livermore's page lists unstaffed operation from September 7; unstaffed does not itself mean the park is closed. Check posted restrictions and seasonal facilities.
Difficulty Level
Use the intended current lawful approach; no surveyed accessible bathing entrance established.
Fee
Livermore: $5 per car, including self-payment when unstaffed. No common fee or free-entry promise for all three historical stops.
Facilities
Livermore: designated parking, pit toilets, picnic area and paddle launch. Smarts Brook trailhead: no restrooms or potable water. Do not transfer Livermore services to West Branch.
Activities
Swimming, paddling and picnicking at Livermore; hiking at Smarts Brook. West Branch bathing access remains unresolved.
Phone
603-238-9284
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No camping permission at these river entries is established. Arrange a separate current campground reservation.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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