Peirce Island Trails & Boat Launch Now Open

May 13, 2021

With plans to reopen the Peirce Island Outdoor Pool on June 21, 2021, the City is making additional preparations to allow for summer recreational activities on the island.

The Portsmouth Recreation Department will start staffing the Peirce Island Boat Launch beginning on Saturday, May 15, 2021 for the boating season. Residents of Portsmouth are entitled to a season pass and full access to the Peirce Island Boat Launch, free of charge. Residents must show proof of residency in the form of a driver's license with their current street address and the registration for the boat being launched. Any boat operated on the public waters of New Hampshire, including tidal and coastal waters and all inland waters, must be registered and must display the bow number issued by the DMV as part of the registration process, unless the boat is exempt as provided in RSA 270-E:4. Boats may be registered at any time of year, but each boat registration expires on December 31st of the year in which it was registered.

The fee schedule for non-residents is as follows:

Kayaks, canoes and any other non-motorized water craft      $10 per launch

2021 Kayak or Canoe Season Pass                                         $75

Motorized, jet skis and/or sail boat                                         $20 per launch

2021 Motorized Boat Season Pass                                          $150

Commercial Boat                                                                    $30 per launch

2021 Commercial Season Pass                                               $300

For more information on the Boat Launch, contact Tim Bailey at (603) 817-9484.

The Recreation Department is now also taking reservations for the use of the pavilion and grill on Four Tree Island. Only one reservation is taken per day and there is no charge to residents to use the pavilion. For information and reservations, call (603) 427-1547.

Additionally this week, the Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Facility construction contractor will finish cleaning up the gravel parking area previously off-limits to visitors while the facility was being built. This will allow for parking and access to the trails, although some areas are still fenced off to protect newly landscaped ground. The outdoor pool parking lot will remain off limits until restoration is complete, but will be reopened before the pool opening. Access may be limited at times after that while work on the pool parking lot is completed.

Peirce Island boat ramp