Lakeside beaches in Merrimack Valleyarea offer forested beauty & blue water

Bear Brook State Park

Off Route 28 Allenstown, NH 03275 Phone: 603-485-9874

State park of nearly 10,000 acres, offering hiking, biking, swimming and fishing are a few of the favorites. Canoe rentals at Beaver and Catamount Ponds, while rowboat rentals are also available at Beaver Pond. Fly-fishing at Archery Pond. The park is open weekends starting in late May; then daily June through September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. A day-use fee is collected at the toll booth near Catamount Pond.

Clough State Park

Off Route 13 Weare, NH 03281 Phone: 603-529-7112

Located about five miles east of the town of Weare, Clough State Park is located on the shore of Everett Lake, about five miles east of the town of Weare. Features include a 900-foot sandy beach with two bathhouses, flush toilets and changing areas; picnic tables in a large picnic grove. Admission fee. Please note: Clough State Park is closed for the 2006 summer season due to unusually high water levels from late spring flooding. The park is expected to re-open to the public in June 2007.

Pawtuckaway State Park

128 Mountain Road Nottingham, NH 03290 Phone: 603-895-3031

Campground sites line the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The park includes a large family beach on the lake with a bathhouse, a group picnic area, a playground, park store, and a group shelter. Open for day use on weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September 4. Call or check web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Silver Lake State Park

Route 122 Hollis, NH 03049 Phone: 603-465-2342

A sandy, 1,000-foot beach curves along 34-acre Silver Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, and boating. Facilities Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, kayak and paddleboat rentals, and a store. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, and then daily from late June through early September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Swimming Holes

Swimming holes can be found in or near rock quarries, streams, gorges, and waterfalls. Most are pristine, uncrowded, and surrounded by beautiful woods and forests. For details, see the web site www.SwimmingHoles.info