The Best Late Afternoon Lake Sun (LALS)

Pillsbury State Park, Washington, NH

When we’re doing a weekend at a state park, the goal is often to get as far away from people as possible, while enjoying good vibes and great views. We’re looking for a place where we can pack up a full cooler, both kayaks and the pups and find a great lake (lowercase ‘g’ on the great) to spend an entire weekend swimming, paddling, and wading around. If you can get all this, while also taking advantage of some great hiking, biking, or stargazing, then we’ve hit the trifecta. That said, Pillsbury State Park is a hidden gem for our Delinquent Planet followers.

We found Pillsbury early in our camping days and we’ve never stopped coming. Pillsbury has a handful of secluded waterfront camping sites, that offer no hookups or amenities, making Pillsbury a BoonDocker’s dream. May Pond is clean, large, and offers plenty of beaching spots for the pups or a random rock to tie off to and float. If hiking is your thing, be cautious to avoid the horsefly season (July/August), and hit the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway only ½ mile from the campground and enjoy the 48 miles the trail has to offer. If you’re like us, bring your kayaks and a full cooler and spend your days floating around the beautiful waters of May Pond.

Spot recommendations: If you prefer a secluded spot with private lake access then spot #24 is your winner! In the early season the sounds of the falls from the upper lake will lull you to sleep and provide you with great picture opportunities. If you’re feeling more social spot #15 is for you. 15 is the spacious corner spot of a lower lake loop that is perfect for family and friend groups and has great immediate lake access. If you're planning a group camping/floating trip then spots 6 and 7 are your pick. These sites have similar proximity to the lake but are part of a smaller site group (5 spots in total) that are completely separate from the rest of the campground and, bonus, there's a beautiful sandy beach right in front of spot 6! All that being said, whichever spot you choose, make sure you hit the beach on the north side of the narrows for some unbeatable hippo mode (ht Donnie from barstool), floating, drinking, and dog swimming before you paddle up to the dam or down to one of many rock islands in the middle of the lake.

Here at Delinquent Planet we’re a firm believer in extending the party. If you’re a day-partyer like us, then the later the sunset, the better! At Pillsbury, the sun creeps towards the horizon on the western part of the lake between two peninsulas and even further west, two hilltops. If you enjoy some Late Afternoon Lake Sun (LALS) like we do, Pillsbury is your lake. The day seems to creep to its somber but inevitable conclusion, letting you drift, float, and often drink your way to a happy end of another great day.

We visit Pillsbury every year and never leave feeling unfulfilled. For those like us that just want to camp, float, chill, and drink a little, Pillsbury is a perfect spot. Early season gets you less bugs and higher water, but it’s great all year round. As always, be respectful, bring that huge bag of empties back home with you, and leave the park better than you found it.

Delinquent Planet rating: 7 out of 7.

Until next time, DP’ers, we love you all.

-Chris & Lindsay-