New Hampshire is full of lakes. When the glaciers receded from the Granite State, they carved the mountains and lakes that now make New Hampshire the envy of the rest of the country. With crisp, clear water that goes for miles and miles, our lakes are simply the best. From the largest in the state to some of the smallest, here are the 13 best New Hampshire lakes you’ll want to check out:

  1. Lake Francis

Stephen Bugno/flickr Located in far northern New Hampshire, this lake is actually the start of the Connecticut River. Lake Francis State Park, 439 River Rd, Pittsburg, NH 03592, USA

  1. Bow Lake

Stephanie Rogers/flickr Bow Lake is large, with deep water, making it a perfect destination for fishermen and boaters. Bow Lake also has a something of a haunted past. Bow Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Umbagog Lake

Catherine Bligh/flickr Spanning the border between New Hampshire and Maine, this marshy lake is a popular fishing spot. Umbagog Lake State Park, NH-26, Errol, NH 03579, USA

  1. Lake Winnipesaukee

Andrew Walker/flickr Covering 71 square miles and containing 258 islands, Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire and perhaps also the best lake in New Hampshire, making it the crown jewel of The Lakes Region. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Newfound Lake

Doug Kerr/flickr Newfound Lake is beautiful even on a dreary day. Newfound Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Echo Lake

Robert Linsdell/flickr Located in Echo Lake State Park in Conway, this beautiful lake with a gorgeous view of Cathedral Ledge is a must see. Echo Lake, Conway, NH 03860, USA

  1. Highland Lake

Jeff-O-Matic/flickr Located in southwestern New Hampshire Near Keene, Highland lake is a popular spot. Highland Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Lonesome Lake

Neil Hunt/flickr This tiny lake tucked into the White Mountains is especially picturesque. Check out this awesome trail at Lonesome Lake. Lonesome Lake Loop, Franconia, NH 03580, USA

  1. Lake Massabesic

Kevin Micalizzi/flickr This large lake is located right near Manchester, making it easily accessible for many people in New Hampshire. There is also a neat hiking trail that around the lake. Massabesic Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Ossipee Lake

Nick Wells/flickr This lake near the Maine border has absolutely breathtaking sunsets. Ossipee Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Pawtuckaway Lake

Gerald Azenaro/flickr This small lake in the south of the state in Rockingham county is charming and easily accessible through Pawtuckaway State Park, which features a large sandy beach. Pawtuckaway Lake, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA

  1. Squam Lake

Chuck Taylor/flickr This serene lake – a smaller neighbor of Winnipesaukee – is where is the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond,” featuring Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda was filmed. Check out the lake here for more visitor information before going. Squam Lake, New Hampshire, USA

  1. Lake Wentworth

Doug Kerr/flickr The people who love this smaller body of water in the Lakes Region will tell you that size does not matter. Lake Wentworth Inn, 427 Center St, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, USA

Well there you have it, the best new Hampshire Lakes. Do you agree? Can you think of other lakes in new Hampshire that deserve to be on this list? Let us know below in the comments section.

Stephen Bugno/flickr

Located in far northern New Hampshire, this lake is actually the start of the Connecticut River.

Lake Francis State Park, 439 River Rd, Pittsburg, NH 03592, USA

Stephanie Rogers/flickr

Bow Lake is large, with deep water, making it a perfect destination for fishermen and boaters. Bow Lake also has a something of a haunted past.

Bow Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Catherine Bligh/flickr

Spanning the border between New Hampshire and Maine, this marshy lake is a popular fishing spot.

Umbagog Lake State Park, NH-26, Errol, NH 03579, USA

Andrew Walker/flickr

Covering 71 square miles and containing 258 islands, Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire and perhaps also the best lake in New Hampshire, making it the crown jewel of The Lakes Region.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, USA

Doug Kerr/flickr

Newfound Lake is beautiful even on a dreary day.

Newfound Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Robert Linsdell/flickr

Located in Echo Lake State Park in Conway, this beautiful lake with a gorgeous view of Cathedral Ledge is a must see.

Echo Lake, Conway, NH 03860, USA

Jeff-O-Matic/flickr

Located in southwestern New Hampshire Near Keene, Highland lake is a popular spot.

Highland Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Neil Hunt/flickr

This tiny lake tucked into the White Mountains is especially picturesque. Check out this awesome trail at Lonesome Lake.

Lonesome Lake Loop, Franconia, NH 03580, USA

Kevin Micalizzi/flickr

This large lake is located right near Manchester, making it easily accessible for many people in New Hampshire. There is also a neat hiking trail that around the lake.

Massabesic Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Nick Wells/flickr

This lake near the Maine border has absolutely breathtaking sunsets.

Ossipee Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Gerald Azenaro/flickr

This small lake in the south of the state in Rockingham county is charming and easily accessible through Pawtuckaway State Park, which features a large sandy beach.

Pawtuckaway Lake, Nottingham, NH 03290, USA

Chuck Taylor/flickr

This serene lake – a smaller neighbor of Winnipesaukee – is where is the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond,” featuring Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda was filmed. Check out the lake here for more visitor information before going.

Squam Lake, New Hampshire, USA

The people who love this smaller body of water in the Lakes Region will tell you that size does not matter.

Lake Wentworth Inn, 427 Center St, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, USA

Also check out these best beaches in New Hampshire that are perfect for summer trips in NH.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best New Hampshire lakes June 03, 2022 Luke What are the best beaches in New Hampshire? If you are looking for a bit of Caribbean paradise in New Hampsire then look no further. This list of 10 places in New Hampshire that are like a Caribbean paradise will take you to some of the nicest paradise getaways in New Hampshire. Cool off from the summer heat at these amazing spots and enjoy swimming, lounging in the sun, and taking in the Caribbean blue. And if you’re looking for more summer spots check out this list of the 8 best beaches in New Hampshire. What are the most well known State Parks in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a wonderful place for natural beauty and outdoor adventures. There are many state parks and areas of interest throughout the state. Some of the most well known state parks in New Hampshire are Crawford Notch State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, and Franconia Notch State Park. Each offers something different and unique. If you’re interested in learning more about the amazing collection of state parks in New Hampshire, then check out this list of the 8 best state parks in NH. What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire?  With large areas of expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short and sweet hikes or long but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in NH. Here’s our list for the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire: 1) Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop; 2) Mount Willard Trail; 3) The Flume Gorge Trail; 4) Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop; 5) Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more! Happy Hiking!

The OIYS Visitor Center

best New Hampshire lakes

June 03, 2022

Luke

What are the best beaches in New Hampshire? If you are looking for a bit of Caribbean paradise in New Hampsire then look no further. This list of 10 places in New Hampshire that are like a Caribbean paradise will take you to some of the nicest paradise getaways in New Hampshire. Cool off from the summer heat at these amazing spots and enjoy swimming, lounging in the sun, and taking in the Caribbean blue. And if you’re looking for more summer spots check out this list of the 8 best beaches in New Hampshire. What are the most well known State Parks in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is a wonderful place for natural beauty and outdoor adventures. There are many state parks and areas of interest throughout the state. Some of the most well known state parks in New Hampshire are Crawford Notch State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, and Franconia Notch State Park. Each offers something different and unique. If you’re interested in learning more about the amazing collection of state parks in New Hampshire, then check out this list of the 8 best state parks in NH. What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire?  With large areas of expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short and sweet hikes or long but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in NH. Here’s our list for the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire: 1) Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop; 2) Mount Willard Trail; 3) The Flume Gorge Trail; 4) Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop; 5) Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more! Happy Hiking!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you are looking for a bit of Caribbean paradise in New Hampsire then look no further. This list of 10 places in New Hampshire that are like a Caribbean paradise will take you to some of the nicest paradise getaways in New Hampshire. Cool off from the summer heat at these amazing spots and enjoy swimming, lounging in the sun, and taking in the Caribbean blue. And if you’re looking for more summer spots check out this list of the 8 best beaches in New Hampshire.

What are the most well known State Parks in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is a wonderful place for natural beauty and outdoor adventures. There are many state parks and areas of interest throughout the state. Some of the most well known state parks in New Hampshire are Crawford Notch State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, and Franconia Notch State Park. Each offers something different and unique. If you’re interested in learning more about the amazing collection of state parks in New Hampshire, then check out this list of the 8 best state parks in NH.

What are the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire? 

With large areas of expansive wilderness and quaint towns, New Hampshire is a great destination for every hiker. Whether you prefer short and sweet hikes or long but rewarding treks, you’ll find something that fits your fancy in NH. Here’s our list for the most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire: 1) Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop; 2) Mount Willard Trail; 3) The Flume Gorge Trail; 4) Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop; 5) Lonesome Lake Trail. We could add so many more! Happy Hiking!