Lakes region is home away from home for paddlers

Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort

196 Shawtown Road Freedom, NH 03836 Phone: 603-539-2069 Fax: 603-539-5681

Classic New England lakeside charm

Located between the Lakes Region and White Mountains of New Hampshire, family-friendly Danforth Bay offers over 300 tent, RV and extended-stay campsites, many nestled along the shores of Danforth Bay of Ossipee Lake.
Spread on over 180 forested acres, the resort features rolling hills, expansive beaches, secluded knolls and meandering brooks and is now open year round. Pet-friendly Danforth Bay offers clean, modern facilities, two heated swimming pools, a kiddie pool, two sandy beaches, numerous court games, an extensive recreation program, free WiFi, plus unique theme weekends. The resort is truly big-rig friendly with wide roads, 24 pull-through sites, 20/30/50 amp service and new deluxe, duel-septic sites with level, 45’x12’ concrete pads.
Danforth also offers guests the opportunity to stay in one of ten camping cabins -- three rustic cabins which sit on the shore of Danforth Bay and seven deluxe four-season cabins conveniently located near the pools and facilities.

Ellacoya State Park

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

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.

Purity Spring Resort

1251 Eaton Road (Route 153) East Madison, NH 03849 Phone: 603-367-8896 Toll-Free: 800-FREE-SKI

Celebrating 100 years of lodging and recreation!

Family-owned Purity Spring Resort has long catered to families, groups and guests looking for traditional country lodging in a setting of forests, lakes and mountains. The resort property surrounds pristine Purity Lake, which offers unblemished shorelines, sandy beaches, bogs and heaths, and is adjacent to a NH Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. The resort’s unique lakeside setting has made it a popular site for family reunions and group gatherings, in addition to many lakeside wedding options and mountain-top ceremonies and receptions overlooking the pristine shoreline of Purity Lake below.

Purity Spring offers numerous lodging options around Purity Lake, home-style meals, and an indoor pool and fitness center. Guests can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and an extensive summer recreational program for kids and families alike.

During the winter season, Purity Spring owns and operates King Pine Ski Area, offering alpine and nordic skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing around Purity Lake, ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Wellington State Park

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

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.

White Lake State Park

Route 16 Tamworth, NH 03886 Phone: 603-323-7350

A popular park for campers, this park features three public campsites with room for 200 tents. Visitors will enjoy the beach on White Lake, swimming, boating and canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails. Of particular interest is a forest of NH pines spread over 72 acres, a National Natural Landmark.