10 Beautiful Lakes In New Hampshire, USA

lakes in new hampshire
Aparajita
Aparajita 
Published
| 4 min read

With over 90 state parks, New Hampshire, a state in New England, USA, is known as a nature lover’s paradise. It is also the home of the Great North Woods, a place rich in greenery, lakes and rivers, completely untouched by human hands. Lastly, Mount Washington can also be found in this state, making it the perfect place for those who love the outdoors. And since the state has done an amazing job of maintaining its natural beauty, the lakes here are pristine. When here, you can sit by the beach and relax or go boating and getting involved in so many other recreational activities. It really isn’t a place you should miss out on. To find out more about the beautiful lakes in New Hampshire, USA, read the article below.

1. Lake Winnipesaukee

Lake Winnipesaukee
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mark Crawley used under CC BY 2.0

The largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded by three mountain ranges making it a popular spot to visit among tourists and residents alike. If the crystal clear waters aren’t enough, the lake is surrounded by small villages, each of them offering something new and unique. There are also multiple beaches for people to visit, each of them offering their own view of the lake as well as a ton of activities like biking, hiking and cross country skiing.

Lake Winnipesaukee

Address: Belknap County and Carroll County, New Hampshire

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2. Squam Lake

Squam Lake, N.H.
Source: Photo by Flickr user Chuck Taylor used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Widely known because it was the filming set of the film ‘On The Golden Pond’, Squam Lake is a home for many different avian and aquatic species, making it a place to visit for those who love wildlife. But even if you’re not here for the wildlife viewing, don’t worry, there’s still a lot to do as the lake is surrounded by four towns, all of them with something to offer those who visit. From delicious food to visiting breweries, hiking to the summit to going boating, there’s something here for everyone.

Squam Lake

Address: Grafton County, Carroll County, and Belknap County, New Hampshire

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3. Newfound Lake

Newfound Lake Sunset
Source: Photo by Flickr user David Salafia used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world, Newfound Lake is definitely the deepest lake in New Hampshire. Fed by at least eight springs, people flock to this lake because of its clear water and the greenery surrounding it, as well as thick forests on every side. Being one of the quieter lakes, this is the best place for those who just want to take out their boat and go fishing for a while without any disturbance whatsoever. And if you’re not into boating, you can always go for a trek or visit the many nature preserves around the lake.

Newfound Lake

Address: Grafton County, New Hampshire

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4. Lake Winnisquam

Docks at Dawn
Source: Photo by Flickr user Matthew Baron used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The fourth-largest lake in the entire New Hampshire, Lake Winnisquam is majorly fed by Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnipesaukee River. There’s one public beach near the lake where you can sit and enjoy a picnic with a scenic view, or use the boat launch to go boating or fishing. Because of its length, it is the best spot for long boating excursions. And once you’re done for the day, you can always head down to Ahern State Park or the nearby towns, all of them at a very close distance to the lake.

Lake Winnisquam

Address: Belknap County, New Hampshire

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5. Lake Sunapee

Lake Sunapee looking south
Source: Photo by Flickr user rick kloeppel used under CC BY 2.0

The fifth-largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Sunapee, unlike other places, is centrally located, making it easy to reach and so very convenient especially for tourists. With Mount Sunapee nearby, there are a number of recreational activities that take place in this area, from kayaking to zip-lining, something that you can’t experience everywhere. However, if you’re not in the mood for something so extreme, you can always opt to hike to the summit of Mt. Kearsarge. There are just so many options.

Lake Sunapee

Address: Sullivan County and Merrimack County, New Hampshire

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6. Ossipee Lake

Lake Ossipee
Source: Photo by Flickr user Kelsey Ohman used under CC BY 2.0

Located in the northeastern region of New Hampshire, Ossipee Lake is known for being a quiet area and best for those who like fishing. But worry not, there are other things you can do down at this lake. Surrounded by three bridges, those who come to Ossipee Lake can always just admire the beautiful view while having a picnic. They can also go hiking or biking as there are many well-maintained trails. In winter, this area is the best for cross-country skiing, ice fishing and ice skating.

Ossipee Lake

Address: Carroll County, New Hampshire

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7. Lake Wentworth

Lake Wentworth, NH
Source: Photo by Flickr user Steve used under CC BY 2.0

Located in Carroll County, Lake Wentworth is the seventh-largest lake in New Hampshire. The water from this lake feeds into the Smith River as well as the dam over Lake Winnipesaukee, and it has about 18 named islands. Each island has something to offer tourists, from sightings of different wildlife species to interesting historical stories about how they got their names. Being home to many avian species, this lake is best suited for those who love birdwatching.

Lake Wentworth

Address: Carroll County, New Hampshire

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8. Umbagog Lake

Umbagog Lake
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mark Stoffan used under CC BY 2.0

Located in Coös County, Umbagog Lake is a wilderness lake and it is one of the most pristine lakes of New Hampshire. It has extensive wetland complexes that make it the perfect habitat for many waterfowl species and other animals. While fishing and boating are allowed, people are always asked to not disturb the homes of the animals and simply watch them from afar. This lake is home to the Common Loons, a species of birds that is now considered threatened, which is why spotting them is rare.

Umbagog Lake

Address: Coös County, New Hampshire; Oxford County, Maine

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9. Lake Kanasatka

Lake Kanasatka at Sunset
Source: Photo by Flickr user Phil Kates used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Once named ‘Long Pond’, Lake Kanasatka is located in Carroll County. It was also called 'Quinebarge Pond’ or 'Lake Quinebarge’. This lake is mostly known for fishing as it is home to different kinds of fish like the largemouth and smallmouth bass, white perch, sunfish and many more. But even if you don’t like fishing, coming down to the lake is always worth it because of the beautiful sunset view that it provides, with every hue of the sun reflected on the clear water.

Lake Kanasatka

Address: Carroll County

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10. Canobie Lake

Canobie Lake Park
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jeremy Thompson used under CC BY 2.0

Located in Rockingham County in the towns of Salem and Windham, Canobie Lake is a small water body that people visit for things like boating and fishing. Fishes like small and largemouth bass, brown bullhead, brook trout and many more, can be found in this lake. But the one thing this region is more famous for is Canobie Lake Park, which has been around for more than 100 years, making it a very popular site for recreational activities.

Canobie Lake

Address: Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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Reconnect with nature

New Hampshire is the place to be for people who love nature. Whenever you’re in the mood to get away from the city, away from the looming buildings and busy streets, remember that this state will welcome you with dense forests and beautiful lakes. It’s the kind of sight that is bound to refresh your body and mind. Spend your vacation beside clear blue water, enjoying all kinds of recreational activities, from fishing to cross-country skiing.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Aparajita, an aspiring writer, began her writing journey at a young age. She completed her BA in Psychology, English, and Journalism and is currently pursuing her Masters in Creative Writing at...Read more

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