Hilton Park
Hilton Park
4
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4.0
28 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
12
Average
4
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4
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Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,583 contributions
Apr 2020
Out for some fresh air and some walking, I went to Hilton State Park East. I usually go to Hilton State Park West, but that section was barricaded and would stay that way until late April or early May.
During my visit, there were a lot of people there. I saw a group of five practicing a martial art that involved long poles --- naginatajutsu, I believe. There was also a gal jogging. Many other people were just hanging out in their cars and looking out over the scenic area of the point and the Piscataqua River.
Hilton State Park is on a historic site established in 1623 by the Hilton brothers, fishermen from London, who settled there to establish their fishing business for local and export trade. There is a New Hampshire State Historic Marker near the entrance.
This park is used more frequently in the summer. Families make a day of it to use the public grills for cookouts and to use the playground equipment.
I rate this visit Hilton State Park East at 3.5.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
During my visit, there were a lot of people there. I saw a group of five practicing a martial art that involved long poles --- naginatajutsu, I believe. There was also a gal jogging. Many other people were just hanging out in their cars and looking out over the scenic area of the point and the Piscataqua River.
Hilton State Park is on a historic site established in 1623 by the Hilton brothers, fishermen from London, who settled there to establish their fishing business for local and export trade. There is a New Hampshire State Historic Marker near the entrance.
This park is used more frequently in the summer. Families make a day of it to use the public grills for cookouts and to use the playground equipment.
I rate this visit Hilton State Park East at 3.5.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written 12 April 2020
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.
Pat G
New Durham, NH1 contribution
Jul 2020
love this place but the launch ramp incline is too slight, with tides and wind the shallow pitch is difficult for launching. Love the travel around the area from Hilton but have to be very careful on the launch. Great parking, clean, easy on and off main road.
Written 22 July 2020
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, NH12,583 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Hilton Park is a New Hampshire state park, but one would never know it because the signage says just Hilton Park, and the park is not listed on the state website for parks probably because there are no admission fees. It’s an orphan park.
The land for the park was donated by the Hilton family to honor Edward Hilton and his brother William, who established the first English settlement in 1623 on what is now known as Dover Point.
The park contains two markers. The first is New Hampshire State Historic Marker #93. Marker text reads:
HILTON’S POINT ~ 1623
The first settlement at Dover
Was made here at the southernmost
point of Dover neck and was called
Hilton’s Point after Edward and
William Hilton. They were fish-
Mongers from London who, in 1623,
established their fishing industry
at this scenic site.
The second marker is the Descendants Memorial. It reads:
DESCENDANTS MEMORIAL
IN HONOR OF
EDWARD HILTON
FOUNDER OF DOVER 1623
FATHER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
MAKER OF THE FIRST ROAD
IN THE PROVINCE
Marked by his descendants 1955
The park has two sections.
Hilton Park East is accessed from Exit 5E on the Spaulding Turnpike / Route 16 North. It offers views of the end of the Salmon Falls River, the mouth of Little Bay, and the beginning of the Piscataqua River. It has a good amount of green space, a boat launch, small playground, picnic tables, and stationary grills.
Hilton Park West is accessed from Exit 6W on the Spaulding Turnpike/ Route 16 North or South. It offers views of Little Bay. It has larger amount of green space, a small covered pavilion, picnic tables, and stationary grills.
This is a great park for a picnic or rest stop when visiting the Dover area or heading to the Lakes Region or the White Mountains when traveling the Spaulding Turnpike / Route 16.
Hilton Park West is just down the Dover Point Road from Newick’s Lobster House. One could bring takeout from Newick’s to the park.
On my most-recent visit, I started off at Hilton Park West where I had lunch at a picnic table in the shade. It was a nice day so the water in Little Bay was quite blue. From my spot, Great Bay Marine, a local marina, was visible in the distance.
Fellow visitors were engaged in pure relaxation. One was flopped out in a reclining lawn chair. A couple were sitting listening to easy listening music on their radio. A woman was reading a book in the shade. All seemed to have their own space.
On a weekend, one would be likely to see marine traffic coming from and going to the two nearby marinas and private docks.
After lunch, I drove under the bridges and visited Hilton Park East to see the two historic markers again. Being a historian, they always interest me.
This park is one Dover’s most scenic and relaxing places.
There are portable toilets on both sides.
Both sides are wheelchair accessible.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
The land for the park was donated by the Hilton family to honor Edward Hilton and his brother William, who established the first English settlement in 1623 on what is now known as Dover Point.
The park contains two markers. The first is New Hampshire State Historic Marker #93. Marker text reads:
HILTON’S POINT ~ 1623
The first settlement at Dover
Was made here at the southernmost
point of Dover neck and was called
Hilton’s Point after Edward and
William Hilton. They were fish-
Mongers from London who, in 1623,
established their fishing industry
at this scenic site.
The second marker is the Descendants Memorial. It reads:
DESCENDANTS MEMORIAL
IN HONOR OF
EDWARD HILTON
FOUNDER OF DOVER 1623
FATHER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
MAKER OF THE FIRST ROAD
IN THE PROVINCE
Marked by his descendants 1955
The park has two sections.
Hilton Park East is accessed from Exit 5E on the Spaulding Turnpike / Route 16 North. It offers views of the end of the Salmon Falls River, the mouth of Little Bay, and the beginning of the Piscataqua River. It has a good amount of green space, a boat launch, small playground, picnic tables, and stationary grills.
Hilton Park West is accessed from Exit 6W on the Spaulding Turnpike/ Route 16 North or South. It offers views of Little Bay. It has larger amount of green space, a small covered pavilion, picnic tables, and stationary grills.
This is a great park for a picnic or rest stop when visiting the Dover area or heading to the Lakes Region or the White Mountains when traveling the Spaulding Turnpike / Route 16.
Hilton Park West is just down the Dover Point Road from Newick’s Lobster House. One could bring takeout from Newick’s to the park.
On my most-recent visit, I started off at Hilton Park West where I had lunch at a picnic table in the shade. It was a nice day so the water in Little Bay was quite blue. From my spot, Great Bay Marine, a local marina, was visible in the distance.
Fellow visitors were engaged in pure relaxation. One was flopped out in a reclining lawn chair. A couple were sitting listening to easy listening music on their radio. A woman was reading a book in the shade. All seemed to have their own space.
On a weekend, one would be likely to see marine traffic coming from and going to the two nearby marinas and private docks.
After lunch, I drove under the bridges and visited Hilton Park East to see the two historic markers again. Being a historian, they always interest me.
This park is one Dover’s most scenic and relaxing places.
There are portable toilets on both sides.
Both sides are wheelchair accessible.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Written 23 July 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.
Tanvi2388
Portsmouth, NH144 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
This Hilton park comes in mid -way while going to Dover from Portsmouth (Exit 5) and its along the freeway . This park got plenty parking and a great view of river side. It's a fall season and this got amazing views all around.
It is easily accessible and this could be a perfect spot for family picnic.
This park also got a small play area where kids can enjoy too.
It is easily accessible and this could be a perfect spot for family picnic.
This park also got a small play area where kids can enjoy too.
Written 30 October 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.
ticel2017
Dover, United States10 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
This is the site that saved the Plymouth colony folks by sending great quantities of fish to see them through tough times. You can also see Bloody Point if you know where to look and you might see some of the fastest currents in north America. Trouble is you can't get there now the highway has seen fit to all but make it impossible to get there. If you do find your way be sure to stop at Newick's for the best ever sea food.
Written 15 January 2019
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.
thomasjb2018
Dover, NH64 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Nice place to have a relaxing day. Boat launch and parking, picnic tables, or just brig blanket and chairs. Can get busy at times, so be early. Some advice, stay away on holidays! Enjoy the views.
Written 27 February 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.
Russell W
Maine2,882 contributions
May 2023
A quiet family-friendly park. Just off the highway. Well-maintained. There are picnic tables, stand up grills, playground, boat ramp. No swimming due to dangerous currents. Port-a-potty's. There is a big open area where you cold play frisbee, soccer, fly a kite. Lot's of shady trees. Dogs on a leash are allowed. Scenic view so the Pisquataqua River. Historical markers with info. Located just off the highway. No fees. Bring your own charcoal.
Written 11 May 2023
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.
Hungry1958
Dover, NH133 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Nice little gem out of the way kinda.
Love going here to get my walk in daily. Nice picnic areas.
Friendly grounds keeper always say hi.
Love going here to get my walk in daily. Nice picnic areas.
Friendly grounds keeper always say hi.
Written 18 September 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.
Lecia G
11 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
We used to love fishing at Hilton Park and having picnics. Now its a mess trying to get in and out, the construction noise is deafening and the pier is gone. The bathrooms were a mess and the local PD cant keep up with the creepers and drug users who now hang out there. No longer a safe family spot. So sad!
Written 7 May 2019
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.
VM1168
Connecticut38 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
My family and I usually go to Hilton Park with my children and their friends for a local picnic and to watch local boaters put their boats in the water.
Written 29 May 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.
Not_havin_it
Rochester, New Hampshire
How do you book the day and how much does it cost
Written 17 May 2018
Hi....I don't see why not. It's a public park. Plan carefully, it can get busy. Good luck
Written 22 May 2018
Yes, they are.However Dover does have a leash law.
Written 23 May 2017
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