Fort Stark State Historic Site - New Castle, New Hampshire

Darcey M.

This place is incredibly interesting! It's in a state of unfortunate disrepair, so it's not possible to get up close to some structures, but there's still plenty to explore! It would be amazing if it was converted into a museum all about the history and purpose behind the coastal batteries. There is also plenty of beautiful scenery to admire!
The gates get closed in the evening (the sign said 6 pm, but we got a warning at 7:30), so don't lose track of time. The police do show up to make sure everyone is out.

Alexis R.

Nice little walk to explore some old relics. Very pretty sunsets.

Sheep D.

Awesome place to just walk around, walk the dog, take your kids, have a picnic or just sit and read. Great views of Whaleback Light and the shipyard.

Stephen P.

I'm surprised 😯 I didn't know about this place as a kid! I was told about this fort by the woman overseeing the New Castle Historical Museum. WOW 😳! The place is huge! There is a small museum near the entrance! Access to two ⛱️ beaches! A large seawall to walk on! Great 👍 views! You can walk into the fort in a few places, though some of the access is actually unauthorized. Large area for 🧺 picnics and tables available. Porta potties available. Dumpster for trash 🗑️. Parking 🅿️ area was a decent size.
When I walked the seawall, I saw different species of aquatic fowl feeding. Fish 🐟 were literally jumping out of the water! I saw a few of the fisherman catching a few of them. I didn't recognize the species of fish 🐟. I saw the Thomas Leighton travel by.
The park 🏞️ official was very friendly and interesting to talk to.
My only criticism, the vandalism! Spray paint inside and out! The inside has trash and old furniture and mattresses inside. I think 🤔 the homeless and the vandals may have been using it as their own home or clubhouse. The bars and fencing that are to keep people out has been damaged in places.
I'm bringing my kids back 🔙 here to visit, in spite of the damage. I recommend a visit because there is still so much to see 🙈. The museum is open only on the weekends till 3 PM.

NH A.

Interesting old gun battery fort. The museum is also worth visiting.

Scuba has a lot to offer but it is pretty shallow.

Stephen S.

Located at the end of a quiet lane in sweet little New Castle, early 20th c. Ft. Stark sits on a peninsula that straddles the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Built to protect the Portsmouth Shipyard, it never fired a shot during WWI and WWII. Thereafter, it was decommissioned and fell into disrepair. Now it’s great fun to enjoy the sandy beach(not much sand at high tide), and to climb the Fort’s steps to high ground and see the massive concrete cannon placements, admire the observation structure that was designed to appear like the superstructure of a warship from a distance, or just to sit on benches and enjoy the beautiful waterscape. The museum is open at the brick building in season. Admission is free. 2 outhouses are available. They have re-done the parking area, tarred it and making it a roundabout w dedicated parking spaces.

Amber B.

Handicap parking,water, views, history, and leashed pets! It uses donations to keep up and running.

Michael G.

Very nice historical site. However, the State of New Hampshire needs to maintain it better. Tons of vandalism and graffiti with profanity on it. Disturbing that anyone would vandalize a historical monument.