New Hampshire might not be known for its beaches, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some fantastic places to get into the water. There are tons of state park beaches to enjoy, but we love the areas that are a bit unexpected. Especially on a hot day when all we can think about is cooling down. If you feel the same way, we recommend exploring a bit beyond Portsmouth to find this area. It might not have white sandy beaches, but swimming is lovely and you won’t be shoulder-to-shoulder with other water lovers.

From Seabrook to Portsmouth you'll find just enough places to enjoy the summer sun with a few dips into the cool ocean. But, there's one spot that often gets overlooked.
westie2 / TripAdvisor
Great Island Common, located in New Castle just south of Portsmouth, offers 32 acres of grassy land and coastline.
Ruth M / TripAdvisor
The coast here includes lots of views of Portsmouth Harbor with bright blues and greens.
mjvinson / TripAdvisor
There are also lots of areas for picnics and playing. That makes this a fantastic place for kids.
Jason Bueno / Google

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The playground is a fun feature for them, but there's a good chance everyone is going to want to enjoy the beach.
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While there are some rocky areas they're great for tidal exploring.
laughtercrystal / Flickr
We love the area for the beach. It's beautiful and it often goes forgotten by people who flock to places like Hampton Beach or even Lake Winnipesaukee.
WilsonP / TripAdvisor
Even in the fall you're likely to love this less-visited beach area and park.
mjvinson / TripAdvisor
And time your visit right and you might just take in one of the best sunsets you've ever seen!
Mayank Bhargava / Google

Great Island Common is a public spot and can be explored from approximately 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The town has recently implemented an entry fee for vehicles, so be sure to check the official website for all details.

Love the lesser-known swimming spots? Consider making a day of finding them! This hidden beaches road trip will show you New Hampshire like never before.

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Great Island Common, 301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854, USA