New Hampshire Lakes

1. Baxter Lake

Arguably one of New Hampshire’s best-kept secrets, Baxter Lake is a 302-acre large body of water that is a spectacular place to visit for those who want to enjoy some watersports or those who simply want to soak in an incredible view.

• The lake is a great spot for swimming, fishing, and boating for locals and guests who are blessed to find it.
• The lake sits on the town line between Farmington and Rochester, with cottages available for rent along the western side of the lake.
• It’s important to note, however, that there is no public park on Baxter Lake, so visitors will have to make sure that they’ve got a place to stay or a boat to bring to the state-maintained marina.
• Those who don’t mind camping can also access one campground along the lake shore near the marina.

Strafford County, NH

Bow Lake is a 30-minute day trip from Portsmouth.

2. Bow Lake

Roughly 30 miles south of New Hampshire’s beloved Lake Winnipesaukee is the less frequented but equally beautiful Bow Lake. Although there are other much more favored lakes in the state, there’s no denying that Bow Lake is endearing and charming thanks to its colonial history.

• Bow Lake actually started as Bow Pond and eventually grew in size when water-powered mills were built around the pond back in the 1700s.
• Fishing is the top activity of Bow Lake, with over a dozen fish species swimming under the surface such as rainbow trout, black bass, chain pickerel, eel, pike and sunfish.
• Apart from fishing, Bow Lake is also a great place for sailing, camping, hiking, and canoeing. When winter rolls around, Bow Lake is perfect for cross-country skiing and ice fishing.

Strafford County, New Hampshire

Bow Lake is 40 minutes from Portsmouth.

3. Canobie Lake

For over a century, locals and out-of-state visitors alike have flocked to New Hampshire’s Canobie Lake for multiple reasons. Birding, boating, and fishing tournaments are all a way of life around Canobie Lake, but perhaps the most popular attraction of this beautiful body of water is Lake Canobie State Park.

• Opened in 1902, the park has a Ferris wheel and even a roller coaster to enjoy amongst other fantastic attractions.
• The lake covers about 275 acres and is roughly 40 feet deep at the most.
• The lake itself is only about a mile and a half long and borders the towns of Salem and Windham.

Rockingham County, New Hampshire

4. Conway Lake

Nestled in the towns of Conway and Eaton, Conway Lake is a hidden gem in eastern New Hampshire. This natural freshwater lake has a surface area of 1,316 acres and remains quiet and private thanks to many very careful preservation efforts and building guidelines put in place. Conway Lake sits in the shadows of the White Mountains, which means that visitors to the lake have easy access to a wide array of outdoor recreational activities like rock climbing, camping, and hunting. Meanwhile, at the lake, fishing, boating, swimming, and sailing are all activities to enjoy as well as fishing. Fishermen can find black bass, salmon, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and more at Conway Lake.

Carroll County, New Hampshire

5. Crystal Lake

Sitting peacefully within a quiet and rural area in Enfield, Crystal Lake is a great place to visit for a relaxing weekend at a lakefront home. Crystal Lake offers fantastic views of the White Mountains and beautifully showcases all of the natural wonders and scenic vistas that New England has in spades. Summers at Crystal Lake see many avid fishermen in town to fish for perch, largemouth bass, pike, sunfish, rainbow trout, and more. Boating, swimming, and kayaking are also great lake activities, while visitors can also head to the mountains for horseback riding, hunting, wildlife viewing, and camping. Winter is equally enjoyable at Crystal Lake, with ice fishing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and cross-country skiing available to visitors.

Grafton County, New Hampshire

6. Eastman Lake

Eastman Lake is an artificial reservoir located in the center of the Dartmouth–Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire. It’s a popular lake to visit for both locals and visitors from nearby states due to its proximity to both Vermont and Boston. Eastman Lake is a gorgeous place to visit at any time of the year. During the summer and spring seasons, the lake is a great place to play tennis, go on picnics, go sailing or boating, fish, canoe and kayak, and even play golf. The surrounding areas are also fantastic for hiking and biking and wildlife viewing. Meanwhile, the colder seasons bring the excitement of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more.

Grafton County, New Hampshire

7. Echo Lake

Situated near North Conway in New Hampshire’s Carrol County, Echo Lake is a 15.7-acre large body of water that features a small swimming beach perfect to beat the heat of summer. The lake is a main draw of Echo Lake State Park, which is relatively small and shallow when compared to the other great lakes of New Hampshire. Vacation rentals are available on the park and provide great trails to explore around the lake. Anglers love visiting Echo Lake because of the fewer but much larger fish that swim in its depths. Some features of the lake to visit for hiking, horseback riding, and trail running include the Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge, which are also fantastic for rock climbing.

Carrol County, New Hampshire

8. First Connecticut Lake

First Connecticut Lake is situated in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods Region and is one of four lovely lakes to visit. First Connecticut Lake is the largest of the four lakes and has a surface area of 3,071 acres. While this lake is great for all kinds of recreational activities, the main draw of First Connecticut Lake is really its fishing. The trout and salmon in the lake will test the skills of all great anglers, and sports fishermen are bound to set new records with the game in this lake. Fly fishing and ice fishing are equally popular here. Meanwhile, visitors can also enjoy the wildlife that the lake has to offer while hiking through the surrounding areas. Vacation rentals are also available for those who want to spend the weekend (or longer) at the lake.

Coos County, New Hampshire

9. Forest Lake

It’s not unusual to find many locals and visitors alike enjoying a clear summer’s day at Forest Lake. One of the biggest draws of Forest Lake, after all, is its 200-foot-long white sand beach where children love to run around while their parents enjoy the sun and the sand. The nearby dock is also a great platform for kids to catapult themselves into the crystal-clear waters of the lake. Another great feature of the lake to enjoy is its waterfall, the gorgeous birding, and wildlife viewing. Hiking and camping are equally enjoyable activities to enjoy at Forest Lake, while the national forest provides great hikes to explore.

Dalton, New Hampshire

10. Franklin Pierce Lake

Franklin Pierce Lake, also known as Jackman Reservoir, is a relatively unknown lake in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. It has a surface area of 520 acres and is just outside the historic region of Hillsborough. Close enough to draw visitors from neighboring states, Franklin Pierce Lake is much loved by all those who discover it. Vacation rentals are available to out-of-state and in-state visitors alike who want to spend a few quiet and relaxing days by the lake’s wooded shoreline. Canoeists and kayakers love paddling across the serene lake, while tubing, waterskiing, and sailing are available activities for those who want a bit more action while at Franklin Pierce Lake.

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire