Top 6 Lakes in Belknap County

Lake Winnipesaukee is a vibrant hub for water activities, offering boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and wakeboarding. You can rent various boats or take guided tours. Lake Winnisquam is also excellent for water sports like kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, tubing, and waterskiing. Lake Wentworth is popular for boating, fishing, and sailing.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly options. Lake Winnipesaukee has public beaches like Brewster Beach, Ellacoya State Beach, and Weirs Beach, which provide clean swimming areas and amenities. Weirs Beach also features a boardwalk with arcades. Lake Winnisquam offers Ahern State Park and Bartlett Beach for public swimming and picnicking. Wentworth State Park on Lake Wentworth also provides a sandy swimming beach and picnic facilities. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on Squam Lake offers live native animal exhibits and interactive displays suitable for all ages.

The area around Lake Winnipesaukee offers abundant hiking trails, with Mount Major being a popular destination for panoramic views. Stonedam Island also provides tranquil trails. For a unique experience, you can explore the quiet, wooded loop on Governor’s Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Squam Lake has trails at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and West Rattlesnake Mountain. For more hiking options, check out the Hiking in Belknap County guide.

You can find great views of Lake Winnipesaukee from Locke's Hill, offering glimpses through the trees, and another viewpoint of Lake Winnipesaukee from Lockes Hill with a look at some of the islands. Round Pond also offers a beautiful outlook over the water with Mount Mack and Mount Klem as a backdrop.

Yes, the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail is a paved rail trail that runs along the banks of Lake Winnisquam. It is completely flat and offers great views of the lake, making it ideal for cycling or easy walks. For more cycling routes, you can explore the Road Cycling Routes in Belknap County guide.

Squam Lake is renowned for its serene and tranquil atmosphere, famously known as the setting for 'On Golden Pond.' It's a significant nesting ground for common loons, bald eagles, and great blue herons, making it a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. The lake has speed limits and restrictions on houseboats and skicrafts, contributing to its peaceful ambiance.

Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded by charming towns like Wolfeboro (known as 'America's oldest summer resort town'), Laconia, Meredith, and Alton. Lake Winnisquam is ringed by towns such as Laconia, Meredith, and Sanbornton. Lake Wentworth is primarily surrounded by Wolfeboro.

Yes, the area offers several historical and cultural sites. Near Lake Winnipesaukee, you can visit Castle in the Clouds and the Loon Preservation Center. Wolfeboro, near Lake Wentworth, hosts the New Hampshire Boat Museum and the Clark House Museum Complex. Guided boat tours on Lake Wentworth also share local history and folklore.

Lake Winnisquam supports both cold and warm water fish species, including trout, salmon, bass, and perch. Anglers visiting Lake Wentworth can also find a variety of fish species, such as bass, perch, and trout.

Yes, there are several easy hiking options. The Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail is a flat, paved rail trail perfect for easy walks. You can also find easy trails like the Hamlin Trail loop in the Easy hikes in Belknap County guide, which includes routes like Mount Rowe and Pine Mountain loop.

Visitors appreciate the diverse natural features and recreational opportunities. Many enjoy the scenic views, such as those from Locke's Hill overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, and the peaceful settings like Round Pond. The quiet, wooded loops, like the one on Governor’s Island, are also popular for their tranquility.