These 10 New Hampshire Lakes Have Beaches That Rival the Coast
The ocean is magnificent, and in New Hampshire we’re proud of our coast. But let’s be honest – the water is freezing, the waves are often rough, and our few oceanfront beaches get really crowded. Luckily for those of us who live inland, we have plenty of lakes with beaches that may even be better than the ocean! Here are a few of our favorites. Note that many of these lakes span more than one town, so we’ve listed the town with the primary beach mentioned for your geographic reference.
Lake Sunapee is all around gorgeous, and the state park beach on its shores is an absolutely idyllic place to spend a summer day.
Lake Winnipesaukee is always bustling in the summer, and it has a number of beaches to choose from. Probably the most famous and popular of New Hampshire's lakefront beaches, and for good reason. With arcades and vendors, the area is always bustling, and the swimming is great. Ellacoya State Park also has a great beach if you want a more mellow vibe.
Newfound Lake is stunningly beautiful and has the most perfect soft sandy beaches you could ask for.
Lake Chocorua has gorgeous mountain views and several public access beaches. It's also perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
Wadleigh State Park has a great beach on Kezar Lake with a shady tree-lined shore and gorgeous clear water.
This lake has it all - incredible views of Cathedral Ledge, crystal clear water, and a perfect beach for a relaxing day with your family. Take a hike around the lake and enjoy the scenery before you jump in for the ultimate refreshment.
This White Mountains lake has a great state park beach, and views that will rival any ocean coastline.
Wentworth State Park has an absolutely lovely beach on the shore of this lake that's wonderful for families.
With a 200 foot sandy beach, Forest Lake State Park offers a quieter alternative to some of the bigger and better known lake beaches.
Silver Lake is 34 acres long and has a 1,000 foot sandy beach located within Silver Lake State Park. There are also kayaks available for rental if you tire of swimming.
What’s your favorite lakefront beach in the Granite State? Tell us in the comments!