The 10 Best Lakes in New England

While many visitors to New England visit Acadia National Park or the White Mountains of New Hampshire, there are many other lakes in Maine, New Hampshire and Maine that you should add to your bucket list. If you’re really on the ball, make sure you book your New England lakeside campsites early–6 months prior to your trip–so you can enjoy the benefits of a majestic view and easy access to water sports.

1. Squam Lake | Holderness, New Hampshire

Squam Lake is located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, just south of the White Mountains. And “yes,” this is the lake that was filmed in On Golden Pond. Whether you’re cruising the lake on a pontoon or paddling a canoe, a visit to Squam lake will invariably lead to quality time on water. For those who would rather sit back on a cruise, the Squam Lake Cruises operates 90 minute-long guided trips in canopied pontoon boats.

If you’d rather remain landlocked, there’s plenty to do in the quaint nearby towns of Tamsworth and Sandwich or on the many trails that rim the lake. While there are many lakes scattered all over New England, some of our favorites include nearby hikes. One of the more well-known hikes in this area is the West Rattlesnake Mountain trail that requires about 40-45 minutes of walking until reaching the top. While at the top, your kids will find unlimited room to scramble on the granite flats while you kick back and take in the spectacular views of Squam Lake.

After throwing on your swim trunks, keep in mind that Squam’s shoreline is rocky and shallow, so most swimming is done off boats or docks. There are plenty of companies that rent boats if you didn’t bring your own. You’re not going to find malls or big box stores on every corner here. In the largest nearby town—Holderness—you’ll find a few shops and the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, but the main draw here is outdoor activity. You can also drive to nearby Meredith to check out Moulton Farm or Guisseppe’s Pizzeria.

Favorite VRBO Properties
There are some phenomenal options for rental homes on or near Squam Lake. Below are some of our favorite options.

• Squam Lake Home (Sleeps 8 | $383 Per Night)
• Squam Lake Home with Sandy Beach (Sleeps 7 | $297 Per Night)
• New Squam Lake Home (Sleeps 8 | $357 Per Night)
• Squam Waterfront Cottage (Sleeps 8 | $229 Per Night)
• Squam Lake with Great Vews (Sleeps 6 | $298 Per Night)
• Peaceful Squam Lake Home (Sleeps 6 | $171 Per Night)

Best Camping on Squam Lake

• Squam Lakes Association
• Owls Landing

Trip Advisor Links

• Squam Lake Reviews
• West Rattlesnake Mountain

2. Lake Winnipesaukee | Lake Region, New Hampshire

If you’ve ever crested one of the mountains that surround Lake Winnipesaukee, you’ve been treated to one of the more majestic views you’ll encounter in New Hampshire. New Hampshire’s biggest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee contains more than 250 islands and almost 200 miles of shoreline. If you’re on a mission to explore the area, a drive around the lake will connect you to one town after another; each with its own history, character and mix of four-season activities. Explore the numerous villages on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee by boat or by car. The Lake Winnepesaukee area of New Hampshire is truly a gem with its network of mountain peaks, wooded shoreline and crystal clear water. If you’re fortunate enough to crest one of the nearby peaks, the colors seem to become richer when contrasted by the vast, spring-fed lake that is littered with hundreds of watercraft and water sport enthusiasts in the summer.

If you’ve come to visit Lake Winnipesaukee, you’re on lake time now, so don’t rush your schedule. You never know whether the next turn of your drive around the lake will yield a vista, river, ice cream shop or picture-perfect dock with an antique mahogany boat. Depending on how much time you have, you’ll want to stop in one of the bigger towns long the way: Meredith, Center Harbor, Alton, Gilford, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, and Wolfeboro. Meredith in particular has some nice trail heads for exploring fall foliage and off-road beauty. In Meredith, Moulton Farms is a good place to grab some food and wander the grounds. Meredith also has some options for access to the lake, railroad and the American Policy Motorcycle Museum.

Weirs Beach has arcades a boardwalk, waterslides for the kids, a public beach and an activity center. Meredith is a restored mill village with a tourist-friendly demeanor—hit the pavement and visit antique, art and craft galleries. Wolfeboro is a cute village with its own historic Main Street. If you’re into war history, don’t miss the Wright Museum of World War II. The NH Boat Museum offers another destination for the boat lover. If you have some swimming trunks and are looking for a family-friendly soft-sand beach with nearby amenities, stop by Allen Albee beach.
Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, Alton and Laconia all have their own character, so a stop in one or more of these towns may be worth your while. Like almost every town along Lake Winnepesauki, you’ll find public parks, docks and seasonal restaurants. If you’re driving through in early July, you may be able to enjoy a fireworks display and concert.

ACTIVITIES: Hike the four-mile trail up Mount Pisgah for bird’s-eye views (trailhead off Route 5A, Westmore), or take to the water in a canoe or kayak from East Burke Sports ($20/half day, $30/day; Route 114, East Burke, 802-626-3215, eastburkesports.com).

EAT: Dining options around Westmore, the main drag, are decent but limited. We recommend making the 25-minute drive to Lago Trattoria for top-notch lakeside Italian (95 Main St., Newport, 802-334-8222, lagotrattoria.com), or the half-hour jaunt to creative casual eats at the high-energy River Garden Café (427 Main St., East Burke, 802-626-3514, rivergardencafe.com).

Favorite VRBO Properties
There are some phenomenal options for rental homes on or near Squam Lake. Below are some of our favorite options.

• Waterfront home with private dock (Sleeps 12 | $480 Per Night)
• Black Cat Island – accessible via bridge (Sleeps 8 | $325 Per Night)

3. Lake Champlain | Burlington, Vermont

Compared to most lake towns in northern New England, Burlington, Vermont is more of a bustling metropolis. Such a classification is a bit humorous however, when you realize that there are less than 50,000 people in this “big” New England town. But, even in the midst of the demographic challenges most New England cities are battling (fewer youth than any other area of the US) , Burlington’s population seems to remain ever young as the Burlington-based University of Vermont churns out career-ready college students. With a vortex of cultural contradiction in this Green State destination, you’ll be straddling the cultural values of millennial hipsters, political activists, blue state yuppies, Bernie Sanders’ groupies and Y-generation college students. A more rural and much smaller version of Portland, Oregon, Burlington is a place where there’s something for everyone; especially if you’re into good food, craft beer and an outdoor lifestyle.

Although it’s been demolished for some time, the first Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream store was once a fixture in Burlington. Thankfully, you only need to make a short drive to reach Ben & Jerry’s Factory store where you’ll be able to sample some ice cream, tour their production facility and learn more about the Ben & Jerry empire. By the time, you’ve stopped by some world-class craft breweries, walked along Lake Champlain, dined at one of many innovative eateries or hiked, biked or skied in nearby resorts, forests or parks, you’ll understand the draw.

If you’re here for outdoor activities, you’ll find options in every season. With a thriving ski culture at nearby Mount Mansfield and Stowe not too far away, a quaint winter experience in a rustic cabin or a five-star resort like Topnotch. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing and apres-ski drinks are all par for the course all over the region. Burlington isn’t necessarily the most beautiful city in this area or even the best area to stage the rest of your Vermont-based journey, but it’s quiet, quirky, tucked in alongside of a magical lake and seems to produce an unusually high number of artists, craft vendors, sidewalk cafes, bars, craft breweries, farmers markets and local food options. Don’t miss one of Vermont’s best restaurants, Hen of the Wood or the Burlington Brewing Company. Hop on a scenic train ride through the ebbs and flows of Champlain Valley or onto the Lake Cruises to tour around the Islands of Vermont. There’s also the world-class aquarium and science center at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain to check out, as well as diving opportunities for more adventurous travelers who’ll no doubt have a blast wading through the lake’s preserved collection of eight historic shipwrecks—all considered the best North America has to offer.

Drop for drop, Lake Champlain is a more interesting lake that most of the nearby lakes to the east and west. You’ll find lots of swimming spots, with the popular Sand Bar State Park in Milton being one of the most accessible and impressive.

4. Moosehead Lake | Northwest Piscataquis, Maine

It’s the largest lake entirely within New England – well, technically Lake Champlain in Vermont is larger but it shares its body of water with New York State so that doesn’t make it count as much. Really, Moosehead Lake is one of the top lake destinations in New England.

Located in north-central Maine, and at a length of forty miles, the 74,890 surrounding acres of lush land will no doubt bring out the summer outdoor person in anyone: camping, hiking, fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, you name it. Summer visitors can partake in “Moosemania” the largest moose-watching festival in New England, as well as take one of the guided moose-watching tours offered. In the winter, the area becomes the domain of snowmobiles and skiers.

The closest place to a large town on the lake is Greenville, which just so happens to welcome about 10,000 visitors annually. You’ll find supplies, fine lodging, and restaurants, as well as in-season cruises on the lake to enjoy and the Moosehead Marine Museum to check out. To the west, there are campgrounds and rustic cabins for rent, shuttles to and from the island peninsula where Mount Kineo stands, and hiking trails to a summit offering breathtaking lakeside views. On the east, there’s Lily Bay State Park, which allows for even more camping, swimming, protected bay canoeing, and walking through firs and masses of wildflowers.

5. Sunapee Lake | New Hampshire

At the turn of the century, Gilded Age tycoons flocked to this charming seaside city to build their summer “cottages.” From Isaac Bell’s shingled house to the Vanderbilts’ opulent European-style palaces, the area is indeed grand and historic, with its model mansions being the city’s claim to fame. There’s also plenty to do though, so don’t you fret.

With a handful of beaches made for swimming and a revolving lineup of outdoor concerts all summer (every July, the Newport Music Festival puts on performances by world-class musicians at the mansions), chilling in and around Sunapee Lake allows for the quintessential pastoral New England experience. Though the focal point of the town often centers around the lively marina scene at Sunapee Harbor, other highlights include the Fells Historic Estate & Gardens, an 84-acre estate with gardens dating back to the early 20th century, as well as the local eatery, One Mile West, which specializes in New England favorites like Atlantic haddock fish and chips or the in-house special, Brook Rd. BLT– it adds pepper-crusted sirloin to the tried-and-true bacon-lettuce-tomato combo.

6. Purity Lake | East Madison, New Hampshire

Purity Lake covers 75 acres in the Town of Eaton near Madison. It has a maximum depth of 55 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Don’t bring your motor boat since you won’t find a place to launch. In other words, Purity Lake is a small private lake where you’ll find canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and sailboats tooling around in relative harmony. To keep the wakes at bay, one motor boat is allowed on the lake at a time for water skiers. Sand beaches line the shore of the lake and provide access for swimming and sunbathing.

For generations, Purity Lake has offered families with a nice year-round retreat with chances for hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and games, as well as more extravagant adventures like waterskiing, guided wild tours of the area, great local massages, and fine island cookout meals.
If you’re heading to Purity Lake, you should check out Purity Springs Resort, the main resort in the area that goes back to five generations of owners. In the winter, this area is next to King Pine Ski Resort.

7. Lake Willoughby | Westmore, Vermont

Lake Willoughby has often been called the “Lucerne of America” since it resembles a Norwegian fjord with its deep water lake and steep cliff faces on both sides. There is a lot to do in this area from paddling tours with Clyde River Recreation, a cruise on the Northern Star on Lake Memphremagog or visiting craft breweries and distilleries. Mountain biking in this area is excellent and your not far from the slopes of Jay Peak. There is a wildlife called the Silvio Conte Wildlife Refuge where visitors can walk, hike, bike, bird watch and seek out a wandering moose.

ACTIVITIES: Hike the four-mile trail up Mount Pisgah for bird’s-eye views (trailhead off Route 5A, Westmore), or take to the water in a canoe or kayak from East Burke Sports ($20/half day, $30/day; Route 114, East Burke, 802-626-3215, eastburkesports.com).

EAT: Dining options around Westmore, the main drag, are decent but limited. We recommend making the 25-minute drive to Lago Trattoria for top-notch lakeside Italian (95 Main St., Newport, 802-334-8222, lagotrattoria.com), or the half-hour jaunt to creative casual eats at the high-energy River Garden Café (427 Main St., East Burke, 802-626-3514, rivergardencafe.com).

SLEEP: WilloughVale Inn is a laid-back B&B with gas fireplaces, Jacuzzis, and lake vistas (doubles start at $155; cottages start at $1,710 per week; 793 Rte. 5A, Westmore, 800-594-9102, willoughvale.com).

8. Lake Saint Catherine | Poultney, Vermont

Now, Lake Saint Catherine has matured into its permanent role as favorite lakefront to both full-time residents and the many summer visitors. The lakeshore is quite heavily settled, but it still appears spacious due to both tree cover and the fact many lots are quite large. On the northeast side of the lake, Lake St. Catherine State Park provides 117 acres of swimming, hiking and camping. A public boat launch is available for the many fishermen who enjoy not only the large lake, but the two smaller lakes that provide excellent weed cover. A second boat launch is available at the bridge that divides the main lake from Little Lake. Due to the lake’s size, both a warm-water and cold-water fishery exist, allowing a wide variety of fish to be caught, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smelt, Perch, Northern Pike, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish and Catfish. In the winter, fishermen eagerly await enough ice to slide the shanty out for winter fishing comfort. The lake is the location of the annual Frosty Derby ice fishing contest held every February.

Residents and summer visitors alike enjoy boating, sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and waterskiing. Nearby, hiking and bicycling trails, bird and wildlife watching provide loads of entertainment for the nature lover. A nesting pair of Bald Eagles has called Lake St Catherine home for the past few years. More citified entertainments may be found in Wells and Poultney. Poultney has museums, including the slate quarrying museum and several historic buildings that will interest history buffs. Antiquing is always popular: all sorts of interesting one-of-a-kind artifacts can be found in local barns and hidden in small shops.

9. Walden Pond | Concord, Massachusetts

Who doesn’t love Walden Pond? Made immortal by the 19th-century writings of Henry David Thoreau, the pond today is enjoyed by visitors who flock to swim the 102-foot deep glacial kettle-hole pond located within 335 acres of protected open space on the Walden Pond State Reservation.

10. Kezar Lake

Despite their number, beauty, and clarity, Maine lakes feel like secrets. While so many flock to the coast, a certain sort of person—a lake person—seeks a different kind of sanctuary inland, out of the way. So out of the way, in fact, and so well protected by those who love them, that Maine lakes have made it through the centuries remarkably unscathed, lightly developed and less used than most any in the country. Some lakes in Maine—and as a lake person from away I can assure you this is not the case everywhere—are literally transparent. Unlike the ocean, they are easygoing. Reliable. A lake can be counted on to sit still sometimes, to warm up in the summer.

By now I’ve lived here for several years and I’m convinced that every lake in Maine has been called the best lake in Maine. People get possessive about “theirs” in ways the ocean does not allow for. Lake person reading this: yours is the most beautiful of all, made distinct from every other Maine lake by its unique dollops of island, the near or far-off mountains or hills coating the horizon you look out upon, the dilapidated camps and winterized camps and mansion-camps and houses that belong to your neighbors along the shore and the rural roads that spiderweb out from it. No doubt yours, and all Maine lakes, are shaped by the people who live around them—physically altered, yes, but also created like myths out of experience, imagination, and word of mouth. When it comes down to it, a lake is probably as much an individual’s idea of it—of the special sanctuary it offers—as it is a blue spot on a map or a basin filled with water, surrounded by pines. This is a story about Kezar Lake, anyway. Attempting to get to know this quiet nook of Western Maine, I visit Lovell in summer, winter, and spring.