The 4,085-acre lake at the park is ideal for family and group outings and for fishing, boating, swimming, and picnicking. The beach has a store, a playground, and a bathhouse. Rentals of canoes and kayaks. A boat launch is available. Open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September; then weekends only until late September 24. 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

Wadleigh State Park
Route 114
Sutton, NH 03260
Phone: 603-927-4724

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Swimming on Kezar Lake. Tall pine groves shade the picnic sites adjacent to the beach. Amenities include a bathhouse, picnic tables, and playing fields. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

LAKES top of listings

Ellacoya State Park
Route 11 / Scenic Drive
Gilford, NH 03246
Phone: 603-293-7821

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Located in Gilford on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. Offers a 600-foot long sandy beach, with views across the lake to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains. Facilities include a bathhouse, showers and a changing area for swimmers. A store offers refreshments and souvenirs. Boat launch for small boats near the beach. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, and then full-time from late June 24 through Labor Day. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Swimming Holes

Wellington State Park
Off Route 3A
Bristol, NH 03222
Phone: 603-744-2197

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Located on Newfound Lake, this state park has the largest freshwater swimming beach in the state park system. Hiking trails and picnic areas along the shore afford views of one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the state. Two group picnic pavilions are located just off the beach in the picnic areas. Snack bar offers snacks, beach and picnic items, and souvenirs. A developed boat launch adjoins the park, providing boaters free access to Newfound Lake. Boat lanes along the beach allow boater access to the park for the regular admission price. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early October. Admission fee.

Wentworth State Park
Route 109
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
Phone: 603-569-3699

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Wentworth State Park spans 50 acres and is located on the shore of scenic Wentworth Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, hiking and fishing. Amenities include picnic tables, a boat launch, restrooms. Admission fee.

White Lake State Park
Route 16
Tamworth, NH 03886
Phone: 603-323-7350

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Some of the best swimming in the White Mountain region can be found in 140-acre White Lake State Park. The park lies along the shore of White Lake, a typical glacial lake. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early October. Cal or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

MERRIMACK VALLEY top of listings

Bear Brook State Park
Off Route 28
Allenstown, NH 03275
Phone: 603-485-9874

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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

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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

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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

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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

MONADNOCK top of listings

Greenfield State Park
Route 136
Greenfield, NH 03047
Phone: 603-547-3497

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Tucked away in this 400-acre park are ponds, bogs, and a forest that extends to the shore of undeveloped Otter Lake. The park offers opportunities to swim, fish, walk, canoe, camp, and picnic. Walking paths lead to ponds and other points of interest. A small park store offers refreshments and souvenirs. The park is open weekends only starting in late May, and then full-time from late June 24 to Labor Day. Call or check the Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Swimming Holes

SEACOAST top of listings

Hampton Beach State Park
Route 1A
Hampton, NH 03842
Phone: 603-926-3784

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Year-round recreation, with Atlantic ocean-front facilities along miles of sandy beach. The Seashell complex includes an amphitheater, public information services, comfort station, and first aid. Activities in the park include swimming, fishing, picnicking, and RV camping with full hook-ups. Admission fee by vehicle. Parking meters on Route 1A accept quarters ($1.50 an hour) and tokens. Tokens can be purchased at parking lot south of Hampton Seashell, restroom on Ross Avenue, and restrooms at North Beach, Jenness Beach, and North Hampton State Beach. Open weekends starting in late May, then daily June through Labor Day; open weekends from Labor Day through October. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Lifeguards on duty at the Main Beach daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is an accessible ramp available at the Seashell Complex.

Hampton Seashell
Route 1A
Hampton, NH

This beach area is also home to a band shell, information area and comfort station.

Jenness State Beach
Route 1A
Rye, NH 03870
Phone: 603-436-1552

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Sandy beach is excellent for swimming and picnicking. Bathhouse; lifeguards after mid-June. Parking meters on Route 1A accept quarters ($1.50 an hour) and tokens. Tokens can be purchased at parking lot south of Hampton Seashell, restroom on Ross Avenue, and restrooms at North Beach, Jenness Beach, and North Hampton State Beach. The beach is open weekends starting in late May, then daily from June through September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates.

Kingston State Park
124 Main St.
Kingston, NH 03848
Phone: 603-642-5471

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This park is 14 miles from the seacoast and close to many attractions, such as Canobie Lake Park, the Fox Run Mall, antique shops, and restaurants. The park includes fireplaces and picnic areas, a playground, softball field, and three game areas for horseshoes and volleyball. Two bathhouses with dressing rooms and toilets near the beach. Open weekends starting in late May; then daily from June through Labor Day. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

North Beach
Route 1A
Hampton, NH 03842
Phone: 603-436-1552

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Beautiful oceanfront setting with a sandy beach that is ideal for swimming and picnicking. Parking meters on Route 1A accept quarters ($1.50 an hour) and tokens. Tokens can be purchased at parking lot south of Hampton Seashell, restroom on Ross Avenue, and restrooms at North Beach, Jenness Beach, and North Hampton State Beach. The beach is open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from June through September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Facilities beach include a bathhouse and lifeguards, on duty after mid-June.

North Hampton State Beach
Route 1A
North Hampton, NH 03862
Phone: 603-436-1552

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Wonderful oceanfront sandy beach. Good for swimming and picnicking. Open weekends starting in late May, then daily from June through September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Bathhouse and lifeguard service after mid-June. Parking meters on Route 1A accept quarters ($1.50 an hour) and tokens. Tokens can be purchased at parking lot south of Hampton Seashell, restroom on Ross Avenue, and restrooms at North Beach, Jenness Beach, and North Hampton State Beach.

Swimming Holes

Wallis Sands State Beach
Route 1A
Rye, NH 03870
Phone: 603-436-9404

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Oceanfront swimming, views of the Isles of Shoals, and a sandy beach especially good for families. Picnicking allowed; no fires. Beach is open weekends starting in late May, then daily, June through September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Facilities a store, bathhouses, showers, and lifeguards after mid-June. Pets not allowed. Admission fee by vehicle.

WHITE MOUNTAINS top of listings

Echo Lake State Park
Route 302
Conway, NH 03818
Phone: 603-356-2672

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A great place for family swimming and picnicking. Amenities include a bathhouse and picnic tables. A scenic trail around the lake provides great views of Cathedral Ledge. A mile-long auto road and hiking trails lead to the top of Cathedral Ledge, which offers magnificent views across the Saco River Valley to the White Mountains. Cathedral and nearby White Horse ledges are popular rock climbing walls. Open weekends only starting in late May, then daily from late June through early September. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Forest Lake State Park
Route 116
Dalton, NH 03598
Phone: 603-837-9150

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This park’s 200-foot sandy beach lies on the shore of Forest Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing, and boating. Amenities include picnic tables, flush toilets, and a group use area and playground. The park is from late May to early September 4. Call or check Web site for exact opening and closing dates. Admission fee.

Moose Brook State Park
Jimtown Road (off Route 2)
Gorham, NH 03581
Phone: 603-466-3850

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Located just north of the Presidential Range, the park is ideally located for fishing in the Peabody and Moose rivers. Moose Brook flows through the park, and feeds the swimming area with cool mountain water. Picnicking and swimming against the scenic mountain backdrop.

Swimming Holes

Umbagog Lake State Park
Route 26
Cambridge, NH 03579
Phone: 603-482-7795

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Umbagog Lake State Park is one of the newly acquired parks in the state system. The park includes a campground with 35 sites with electrical and water hook-ups, cabins, and 34 remote campsites. The park offers a beach area for swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and boating. Canoe, kayak, rowboat, and motor boat rentals. Boat launch and park store.