Generated illustration of a natural swimming setting; not a photograph of this location
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Forested Pond And Park Recreation ContextNH

Pisgah State Park

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

Plan a Pisgah State Park visit with Kilburn Pond access notes, park rules, trail guidance and reviewed photos. Confirm current restrictions before swimming.

Water type
Forested Pond And Park Recreation Context
Access
Informal
Fee
The current park page states no charge. A pay post visible in a historical gallery image is not today's fee schedule.
Best season
Daylight helps with navigation
Nearby towns
Keene, Winchester, Hinsdale
Water body
Kilburn Pond

Location

Map & Directions

NH
Nearby towns
Keene, Winchester, Hinsdale
Access location not verified
42.811, -72.449
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

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.

Pisgah State Park and Kilburn Pond: plan a woodland visit

Forested water views and woodland trails make this a destination to explore on foot, with a map and a realistic plan for your group. This listing retains the historical Kilburn Pond reference, but its map pin and precise swimming entry have not been independently verified.

Swimming permission is not a safety assessment

The June 2011 approved management plan includes swimming among permitted park activities and allows access limitations. That is not proof that every shoreline is appropriate for entry. Ask the office about your destination and follow current restrictions. No current depth, water-quality clearance or lifeguard service was established. Avoid jumping and diving from rocks.

Choose a trailhead, not the office or an old pin

Start with the trail-map link on the official park page. Retire the old makeshift-bridge directions and fixed approach-distance promise. Carry navigation and supplies for woodland travel, and confirm the route before setting out.

Bring only what you can carry out

Use this as a day-trip plan rather than a camping itinerary. For dogs, review the state pet policy and local postings. Ask the office about specific accessibility needs instead of assuming a smooth approach or an accessible pond entry.

A gallery of park context

Four reviewed scenes show the named kiosk, wooded water, autumn reflections and an uneven trail with narrow planks. They are historical context, not a present-day route survey. The water scenes have not been independently identified as Kilburn Pond, and old kiosk notices should not be used as today's fee or fire-status information.

Getting There

Use the park's official trail map to select an appropriate trailhead for Kilburn Pond. The office address, 520 Old Chesterfield Road in Winchester, is not the Kilburn trailhead or a verified swim entry. The retained historical pin is unverified. Do not navigate by the old 0.7-mile, makeshift log bridge and unmarked-path instructions.

Access Notes

Gates close through mud season; other trail restrictions may apply. Follow posted closures rather than treating year-round recreation as unrestricted vehicle access.

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

Check current postings and ask the park office about your intended entry. General permission is not a designated-beach, lifeguard or water-quality guarantee. 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

Pisgah State Park - OHRV Staging Area

State park

1.5 mi 4.7 (15)

Ashuelot, NH 03441

Mt Pisgah Summit

Hiking area

1.6 mi 4 (2)

Hinsdale, NH 03451

Kilburn Pond Trailhead, Pisgah State Park

State park

2.8 mi 4.7 (44)

Davis Hill Trail, Hinsdale, NH 03451

Fullam Pond, Pisgah State Park

State park

3 mi 5 (1)

Spofford, NH 03462

Forest Lake Campground

Campground

4 mi 4.4 (82)

331 Keene Rd, Winchester, NH 03470

Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites

Pisgah State Park Habitat Trailhead Parking

Hiking area

4.3 mi 5 (2)

Horseshoe Rd, Chesterfield, NH 03443

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

Hiking area

5 mi 4.4 (8)

Ashuelot Rail Trail, Winchester, NH 03470

Ashuelot River Campground

Campground

7.8 mi 4.5 (326)

152 Pine St, Swanzey, NH 03446

Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water

Live Conditions Nearby

Checking nearby USGS water conditions…

Frequently Asked Questions About Pisgah State Park

Is swimming permitted at Pisgah State Park?

The June 2011 approved management plan lists swimming as a permitted park use, subject to restrictions. Check current postings and confirm your intended pond entry with the park office.

Is the Kilburn Pond swimming entry precisely mapped?

No. The historical pin is retained as unverified, and the office address is not a swimming-entry coordinate. Use the official map and current route guidance.

Can I camp beside Kilburn Pond?

The approved management plan prohibits camping and campfires. Arrange overnight accommodation elsewhere.

Do the photographs prove safe water or jumping depth?

No. They show park context, not measured depth, today's water quality or a confirmed entry. Do not jump or dive from rocks.

Do all gallery photos show Kilburn Pond?

No. The named kiosk anchors park identity, but the individual water scenes have not been independently identified as Kilburn Pond.

Highlights

Woodland pond scenery
Trail-planning resources
Reviewed park-context photographs

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • Do not jump or dive from shoreline rocks
  • Photos do not establish depth, submerged hazards, water temperature or current water quality
  • Bring a map and supplies, and do not assume mobile reception or nearby help

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

Pisgah State Park in southwestern New Hampshire, not Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

The gallery shows a named park kiosk, forested pond scenery, autumn reflections and rocky trail footing with narrow planks. Pond views are not independently identified as Kilburn Pond.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Carry out litter and protect shoreline plants. Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet and clean up after them; check any area-specific pet restrictions.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
Daylight helps with navigation; choose weather and trail conditions appropriate to your group.
Difficulty Level
Prepare for rough woodland footing. No exact pond approach distance, bridge condition or step-free water entry was verified.
Fee
The current park page states no charge. A pay post visible in a historical gallery image is not today's fee schedule.
Facilities
Comfort stations are unavailable off-season and off-hours. Bring drinking water and confirm destination-specific facilities before leaving.
Activities
Hiking, photography and pond exploration; swimming subject to current restrictions and confirmation of the intended entry.
Phone
603-239-8153 (Pisgah park office); 603-271-3254 (Bureau of Trails)

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

Camping and campfires are prohibited in the approved June 2011 management plan. Plan a day visit and follow current postings.

Loading weather data…

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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