When warmer weather arrives in New Hampshire, our first order or business is to head for the water! While New Hampshire has a simple 13 miles of coast, what we lack in actual area we make up for in sheer beauty. Our beaches are just fantastic! But, there are a ton of other ways to cool off with a refreshing sip this summer. From lakes to rivers to water parks to swimming holes, check out these fun ways to take a dip in the Granite State.
- Cascade Park, Woodstock
catchesthelight / Flickr After centuries of the Pemigewasset River rolling over rocks, this natural water slide was formed. It’s another way to spend all day enjoying the New Hampshire outdoors.
- Water Country, Portsmouth
Water Country / Facebook There are tons of things to do at this conveniently located water park, but one of the best is the 700,000 gallon wave pool. There’s also a quarter-mile long lazy river.
- Echo Lake, Conway
jbar_photos / Flickr This lake is one of the best places to go if you’d like to spend an entire day. Take a nice walk around the lake before jumping into the crystal clear waters for a refreshing cool-down. Address: 68 Echo Lake Road, North Conway, NH 03860
- Diana’s Baths, North Conway
LindaDee2006 / Flickr Why go to an expensive spa when you can head to one of New Hampshire’s most notable natural areas? This place might be well-known, but you can’t deny the reasons. The water offers a great way to swim and the water fall is an added bonus.
- Chocorua Lake, Tamworth
lisadonoghue / Flickr This lake might be a mere mile-long, but it comes with some seriously big views. Across the lake lies Mount Chocorua, one of the most photographed lakes in the state. There are no motorized boats allowed here so you’ll also find it peaceful and serene.
- Lower Falls Swimming Hole, Conway
rickpilot_2000 / Flickr Take a drive along the Kanc to reach this beauty. This is also one of the easiest swimming holes to reach. It’s got a parking lot, restrooms and the family will want to stay all day to enjoy the totally natural waterslide that’s been formed in the rock.
- Lake Winnipesaukee, Laconia
patrick_s / Flickr It would be impossible to leave off one of the most beloved lakes in New Hampshire! This one is a must-see and, with so many beaches located around the lake, there are tons of areas you can swim. We also love the access to kayaking, boating and other get-cool methods.
- Great Island Common, New Castle
dougtone / Flickr The rocky beach at Great Island Common is managed by the town and it’s a great, lesser-known way to take a dip. It’s located near Portsmouth, but it’s just far enough away to make it feel like a secret.
- Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park, North Conway
Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park / Google What do you do if it’s raining? Head indoors, of course! Kahuna Laguna has a wonderfully tropical indoor beach, along with restaurants and snack bars. You can make a weekend of it by booking yourself a room in town! Address: 2251 White Mountain Highway, North Conway.
- Seabrook Beach, Seabrook
Sabine S / TripAdvisor This might be one of the most well-known beaches in the state, but it’s not the easiest to access. There isn’t a ton of parking or public access, but if you can manage to find a way to spend the day you’ll find it far less crowded than Hampton Beach.
Once you’ve cooled down in the water, try our other favorite way to battle the heat: ice cream! This ice cream road trip hits some of the most quintessential New Hampshire ice cream shops.
catchesthelight / Flickr
After centuries of the Pemigewasset River rolling over rocks, this natural water slide was formed. It’s another way to spend all day enjoying the New Hampshire outdoors.
Water Country / Facebook
There are tons of things to do at this conveniently located water park, but one of the best is the 700,000 gallon wave pool. There’s also a quarter-mile long lazy river.
jbar_photos / Flickr
This lake is one of the best places to go if you’d like to spend an entire day. Take a nice walk around the lake before jumping into the crystal clear waters for a refreshing cool-down. Address: 68 Echo Lake Road, North Conway, NH 03860
LindaDee2006 / Flickr
Why go to an expensive spa when you can head to one of New Hampshire’s most notable natural areas? This place might be well-known, but you can’t deny the reasons. The water offers a great way to swim and the water fall is an added bonus.
lisadonoghue / Flickr
This lake might be a mere mile-long, but it comes with some seriously big views. Across the lake lies Mount Chocorua, one of the most photographed lakes in the state. There are no motorized boats allowed here so you’ll also find it peaceful and serene.
rickpilot_2000 / Flickr
Take a drive along the Kanc to reach this beauty. This is also one of the easiest swimming holes to reach. It’s got a parking lot, restrooms and the family will want to stay all day to enjoy the totally natural waterslide that’s been formed in the rock.
patrick_s / Flickr
It would be impossible to leave off one of the most beloved lakes in New Hampshire! This one is a must-see and, with so many beaches located around the lake, there are tons of areas you can swim. We also love the access to kayaking, boating and other get-cool methods.
dougtone / Flickr
The rocky beach at Great Island Common is managed by the town and it’s a great, lesser-known way to take a dip. It’s located near Portsmouth, but it’s just far enough away to make it feel like a secret.
Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park / Google
What do you do if it’s raining? Head indoors, of course! Kahuna Laguna has a wonderfully tropical indoor beach, along with restaurants and snack bars. You can make a weekend of it by booking yourself a room in town! Address: 2251 White Mountain Highway, North Conway.
Sabine S / TripAdvisor
This might be one of the most well-known beaches in the state, but it’s not the easiest to access. There isn’t a ton of parking or public access, but if you can manage to find a way to spend the day you’ll find it far less crowded than Hampton Beach.
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