Here Are 10 Of The Most Beautiful Lakes In New Hampshire, According To Our Readers
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Will Suphan
Author
New Hampshire is a gorgeous state with so much natural beauty. Locals especially love their lakes here as they are filled with clear, pristine water and are wonderful places to take the family for a weekend or day trip. We asked our readers at Only In New Hampshire what they thought were the most beautiful lakes in New Hampshire, and now we have the results!
03592, Clarksville, NH 03592, USA
Lake Francis is in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, close to the Great North Woods area. This lake spans 2,000 acres and is a favorite spot for kayaking, canoeing, and boating. There are several camping spots set up along the shore with lovely views of this beautiful lake. It’s especially stunning in the fall when the surrounding leaves are in full color.
Halfmoon Lake, New Hampshire, USA
This lovely, crescent-shaped glacial lake covers 283 acres and is located between the tiny towns of Barnstead and Alton. It’s known to be excellent for fishing largemouth bass, chain pickerel, horned pout, and white perch. Bring the family here for a day of kayaking or come here by yourself for some quiet, serene time in nature with spectacular views.
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Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, USA
Lake Winnipesaukee got the most mentions from our readers and it’s easy to see why! This massive lake spans 72 square miles and has endless things to do. It has several islands to visit and you can rent a tiki boat to have your own floating bar that you can fish from! There are docks all over for boating and the shores are dotted with excellent restaurants and shops. The main attraction here has to be the breathtaking views! It is certainly a local favorite and you can have a different experience with every visit.
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03580, Franconia, NH 03580, USA
This tiny lake is nestled in the Franconia Notch in the White Mountains and is utterly gorgeous. There’s a loop trail surrounding it and it has some of the clearest water in the state. It’s excellent for swimming and which is good as it takes a couple of hours of hiking to access. It only covers 12.2 acres but has views beautiful enough for a hundred other lakes. The area is teeming with wildlife and this is the place to be when you want to get away from it all.
Tuftonboro Neck Road, Tuftonboro Neck Rd, Tuftonboro, NH 03853, USA
Mirror Lake is so clear and reflective that it has certainly earned its name. It’s a tiny lake just off to the side of the vast Lake Winnepesaukee. This natural, spring-fed lake in the foothills of the White Mountains is a great place for watching wildlife like loons and moose. It’s such a sweet, bucolic setting and you could spend hours kayaking slowly on the lake or sitting on the shore just taking it all in.
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Sutton Gulf Road, Sutton Gulf Rd, Bradford, NH 03221, USA
This beautiful lake is one of the lesser-known hidden gems in New Hampshire. It spans 150 acres and is surrounded by deep green forests and there is a ton of wildlife. There’s a small beach on the north end called Wright’s Beach which has a boat launch and there’s a permanent Girl Scouts camp by the shore. The lake is an annual nesting place for loons and the young loons can be seen learning to fly above the lake. It’s truly a beautiful place worth seeing.
Milford, NH 03055, USA
This bucolic place is the local kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing spot for the charming town of Milford. It has a great variety of wildlife and locals love to relax here and simply take in the views, especially in autumn when the leaves are especially vibrant with orange and red hues. The water is calm and the surroundings are lovely. Make sure to take a day trip here and you won’t regret it!
Chocorua Lake has easy access to it from the Chocorua Mountain Highway (Route 16) and has stunning views of Mount Chocorua. It’s a favorite photography spot for locals as well as being popular for kayaking, hiking, fishing, and simply having a delightful picnic. It’s certainly one of the most beautiful lakes in the state and should be put on your bucket list right now.
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This gorgeous lake has a wonderful little beach and there’s a beautiful tiny church called Saint Francis Chapel on the shore. German author Ernst Bloch wrote "Das Prinzip Hoffnung" (The Principal of Hope) here when the beauty of this place inspired dreams of utopia in him. This place is as idyllic as it gets and looks like a place where time has stood still. This is a gem of a place well worth going out of your way for.
Sunapee, NH, USA
Lake Sunapee spans 6.5 miles and has some of the clearest water in the state! There’s a good amount of beach area and it’s a favorite for water skiing. The shoreline has restaurants, harbors, lighthouses, shops, and much more, and makes for one of the best day trips in New Hampshire. Whether you’re looking at the lake or the mountains, you’re getting amazing views.
Which of these lovely lakes have you been to? Have you had any one-of-a-kind experiences at these places? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to join our New Hampshire Nature Lovers group on Facebook to find out about more wonderful spots in the state and share your own!
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