Lakes Region, New Hampshire "Official" Travel Writer's Web Site
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Use the links above to explore Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam, Squam Lake, Ossipee Lake, Newfound Lake & Lake Sunapee.

Lake Winnipesaukee Region of New Hampshire

Lake Winnipesaukee is located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire at the foothills of the White Mountains. Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the state and the 6th largest lake in the United States that lies completely within the borders of the United States. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, the wooded shoreline and crystal clear water of this spring-fed lake make it a popular summer resort and a place to rest and relax in beautiful surroundings and enjoy water sports of all sorts.

Visitors may explore the numerous villages on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee by boat or by car. Each one offers something unique. Weirs Beach has arcades and boardwalks, waterslides, a public beach and an activity center. Meredith is a restored mill village, where you can browse through antique, art and craft galleries. Wolfeboro is a picture perfect village, right down to its historic Main Street. Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, Alton, Gilford and Laconia all have their own special flavor. All communities have public parks and docks, and feature varied activities such as fireworks displays and band concerts throughout the year.

* 504 Feet above Sea Level
* Maximum Depth: 180 feet
* Average Depth: 43 feet
* Volume: 625 billion gallons
* Length: Approximately 25 miles
* Width: Approximately 15 miles at widest point
* Water Surface: 72 square miles
* Distance around the lake: 182 miles
* Shoreline excluding islands: 178 miles
* Islands: 244
* Island shoreline: 100 1/2 miles

"Lake Winnipesaukee [MAP] "Smile of the Great Spirit"
Many moons ago on the northern shores of this beautiful lake there lived a great chief, Wonaton, renowned for his great courage in war and for the beauty of this fair daughter, Mineola. She had many suitors, but refused them all. One day, Adiwando, the young chief of a hostile tribe to the south, hearing so much of the fair Mineola, paddled over the lake and fearlessly entered the village of his enemies. Her father happened to be away at the time and, admiring Adiwando's courage, the rest of the indians did not harm him. Before long, he and the Indian maid were desperately in love with each other. Wonaton, on his return, was exceedingly wroth to find the chief of the enemy in his camp and a suitor for the hand of his daughter; so much so, that he immediately raised his tomahawk and started to kill him.

"Mineola, rushing in between them, pleaded with her father for the life of her lover, and finally succeeded in reconciling them. After the wedding ceremony, the whole tribe accompanied the two lovers in their canoes halfway across the lake. The sky when they started was overcast and the waters black, but just as they were about to turn and leave them, the sun came out and the waters sparkled around the canoe of Mineola and Adimwando. "This is a good omen," said Wonaton, "and hereafter these waters shall be called Winnipesuakee, or The Smile of the Great Spirit." 

Lake Winnipsaukee Waterfront Towns
Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Melvin Village, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, Alton, Alton Bay, Gilford, Laconia, Weirs Beach

Nature Preserves
Loon Preservation Center & Marcus Wildlife Sanctuary – Moultonborough Lees Mills Road 200-acre parcel on the northeaster shores of Winnipesaukee. Upland forests, marshes, a pond, clear running streams and more that 5,000 feet of undeveloped shore land.

Ragged Island - Tuftonboro 11-acre island maintained owned and operated by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Ragged Island is not open to the public to protect the islands fragile ecosystem.

Stonedam Island - Meredith 112-acre wildlife preserve. Self-guided nature trails through mature forests and wetlands, impressive view at height of island, quiet beach for picnicking. Boat dock on a northeaster cove. Lakes Region Conservation Trust 603-279-3246.

Knights Pond - Alton 332 acres, includes clear pond impounded by beavers. A well maintained trail skirts the shoreline. Lakes Region Conservation Trust 603-279-3246.

Major Events
• Holiday events – Visit www.YuletideAtTheLakes.org
• Great Rotary Fishing Derby - Headquarters in Meredith February Sponsored by the Meredith Rotary Club.
• Sled Dog Races – Sandwich Notch 60, Laconia, Meredith
• Winni Derby going on its 25th year. Mid May, Sponsored by the Lakes Region Inland Fishing Association.
• Laconia Rally & Race Week -
• Timberman Triathlon - Gilford
• Lakes Region Arts & Crafts Festival - Meredith Juried show in its 25th year. Sponsored by the Meredith Chamber of Commerce
• Crafts Fairs - Alton, Wolfeboro
• Winston Cup - July & Sept- New Hampshire International Speedway
• NH Open Water Ski Tournament – Back Bay Wolfeboro Abenaki Water Ski Club USA Water Ski sanctioned. Held in July in Wolfeboro’s Back Bay

Lake Winnipesaukee – Islands to Visit for conservation and low impact recreation
Five Mile – Meredith, undeveloped with two natural sandy beach areas and wooded shore totaling 3,370 feet of frontage. Owned and maintained by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust 603-279-3246.

Stonedam Island -, Meredith 112 acre wildlife preserve. Self-guided nature trails through mature forests and wetlands, impressive view at height of island, quiet beach for picnicking. Boat dock on a northeaster cove. Lakes Region Conservation Trust 603-279-3246.

Hiking Around Lake Winnipesaukee
Belknap Mountain - Gilford Turn of Route 11A at Gilford, drive south through Gilford Village, pass the high school, road makes a sharp left. And you will begin drive up Belknap Mountain Road to parking and trailhead. 1 _ miles, vertical rise 740 feet Magnificent views

Mt Major - Alton Bay. Route 11 A about five miles north of Alton Bay (close to Ellacoya State Beach) highway sign marks parking lot. Popular hiking spot due to spectacular views. 2 _ mile, vertical rise 100 feet.

Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest - 157 acre forest with over a mile of waterfront, several beaches, swamp walk, over 4 miles of hiking trails managed by the Squam Lakes Association- Trailhead off College Road, Center Harbor

West Rattlesnake Mountain - Rt. 113 Holderness --– Trailheads off Rt. 113- approx. 5 miles from downtown Holderness on right, (after Rockywold Deephaven Camps sign) park on left. Short and Easy Climb, spectacular views. Use caution with children. Steep cliffs at summit.

Red Hill - Moultonborough (elevation 2,029 feet) Fire tower run by town of Moultonborough Fire Department. Bean Road in Center Harbor 1.4 miles to Shibley Road (fire tower sign) to parking lot with gated jeep road. Distance to tower 1.7 miles. Contact the Lakes Region Conservation Trust for a map 603-279-3246.

Ossipee Mountains, Bald Peak - Tuftonboro. Trail access from Castle in the Clouds offering a variety of difficulty levels.

Gunstock Recreation Area - Gilford. Four season recreation area on Route 11 in Gilford. It includes a major downhill ski/tubing area on Mount Rowe and Gunstock Mountain, a 420-site campground, summer mountain Sports Park (skateboard, mountain board, mountain bike and a cross-country skiing area. A map of hiking and mountain biking trails is available at the Base Lodge.

Abenaki Tower – Wolfeboro Route 109 in Tuftonboro. A 5-minute walk from the parking area to an 80’ tower overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.

Cotton Valley Trail - Wolfeboro to Sanbornville - A 12-mile railroad corridor stretching from Lake Winnipesaukee to the railroad turntable in Sanbornville. It meanders across three lakes, many trestles, Cotton Valley and winds through scenic woods and fields. Contact Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce for information 603-569-2200

Russell C. Chase Bridge Falls Path - behind the Railroad Station is a half-mile path from downtown to the Wolfeboro Falls Area.

State Parks & Beaches
Ellacoya State Park, Gilford

Other Recreation
Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, boating, shopping, golf, terrific dining, lodging and camping options. Ice-skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing in the winter months.

Cross Country Ski Trails
Wolfeboro Cross Country Ski Association WCCSA is a non-profit 501 ( c ) (3) organization, charted to help promote, maintain and develop x-c ski trails, groomed and back- country. Headquarters for trail maps, tickets and information is located at Nordic Skier, downtown Main Street. Hiking, biking, X-C ski trail networks.

Gunstock Recreation Area, Hiking, biking , X-C ski trail network Gilford Ski, Snowshoe, bike, mountain board, mountain scooter rentals

Biking
Wakefield – A bicycle friendly Community Six loops ranging in length fron 11 to 52 miles long. A bicycle tour booklet is available at the town hall and from the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director at Interiors Plus in Sanbornville. $2

Boat Acce ss

COMMUNITY SITE INFORMATION
Alton Alton Bay Public Launch About 1/4 mile north of the Route 11 bridge, on Route 11, in a public parking lot. No fee charged. Public parking for trailers about 1/2 mile away.
Alton Downing's Landing Just east of the Route 11 bridge. Parking fee charged (Includes launch).
Alton West Alton Marina At the junction of Route 11 and Route 11-A. Fee charged (Includes parking).
Alton Roberts Cove Marina From the Alton traffic circle, proceed 5 1/2 miles towards Wolfeboro on Rte 28.Turn left onto Roberts Cove Road. Fee charged.
Center Harbor Public Docks In town behind Heath's Hardware Store adjacent to town docks. Fee charged. Short walk to parking.
Gilford Ames Farm Inn Route 11, 2.2 miles west of Route 11-A. Southwest of Diamond Island. Two launch ramps. Fee charged (Includes parking).
Gilford Fay's Boat Yard From Jct. 11/11B, east on route 11 for .1 mile. Turn left onto Varney Point Road. Fee charged.
Gilford Gator, Inc., Silver Sands Marina On Route 11B, 1/2 mile northwest of junction 11B/11. Fee charged (Parking included).
Laconia/Weirs Christmas Island Weirs Boulevard, 1 1/4 miles south of the Weirs Bridge on the east side of Paugus Bay. Fee charged.
Laconia/Weirs Lakeport Landing Marina Southern end of Paugus Bay at the Junction of Elm Street and Union Avenue. Fee charged.
Meredith Public Docks, Route 3 Route 3 at the public parking lot between the Mount Washington dock and Heskey Park. Fee charged. Parking for trailers is nearby.
Meredith Public Docks, Lovejoy Sands Road North on Route 25/ 2/10 mile from downtown Meredith, turn right onto Pleasant Street as it curves around Meredith Bay. Follow Pleasant Street to Meredith Neck Road. Turn right. Follow for 3 miles and turn left onto Lovejoy Sands Road. Launch is next to Shep Brown's Boat Basin. No fee charged. Parking available.
Meredith Meredith Marina 2 Bay Shore Drive. Just off Route 3 on the right between Route 104 and Route 25. Fee charged.
Moultonborough Harilla Landing, Long Island From Route 25 and Moultonboro Neck Road, proceed 6 2/10 miles south/east on Moultonboro Neck Road and cross onto Long Island. After crossing bridge, proceed 2 2/10 miles on Long Island Road.
Moultonborough Public Launch Turn right onto Moultonboro Neck Road from Route 25. Proceed 6 2/10 miles south/east on Moultonboro Neck Road and cross onto Long Island. Launch site is on the left 2/10 mile after crossing bridge. Parking requires Moultonboro beach & dump sticker.
Moultonborough Lee's Mills From Moultonborough Center, proceed 4/10 mile south on Route 25. Turn Left onto Blake Road. At end of Blake Road, turn right onto Lee's Mills Road and proceed to end. No fee charged. Parking available.
Moultonborough States Landing From the intersection of Route 109 and Route 25 (at the Moultonborough Airport), proceed south/east on Route 109 for 2 8/10 miles and turn right onto States Landing Road. Follow States Landing Road 1 mile.
Tuftonboro Melvin Village Public Landing Off Route 109. No fee charged.
Wolfeboro Libby Museum Opposite the Libby Museum on Route 109, 3 1/10 miles northwest of Wolfeboro. No fee charged. No parking.
Wolfeboro Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard Sewell Road, Wolfeboro. From downtown Wolfeboro, head west on Route 109 for 2/10 mile. Turn left onto Sewell Road and proceed for 1 mile.
Wolfeboro Back Bay Marina Bay Street, Wolfeboro.
Wolfeboro Public Launch Back Bay. In downtown Wolfeboro, go one block north (away from the main lake) on Railroad Avenue. Launch site is behind the old Wolfeboro railroad terminal. No fee charged. Parking available. Note: to get to the Big Lake you must travel under a bridge with a clearance of only a little over four feet (full lake).
Wolfeboro Public Launch Main Street. In the public parking lot behind shops, next to Wolfeboro town docks. No fee charged.

This site is maintained by the
Lakes Region Association
PO Box 430, 260 Route 104
New Hampton, NH 03256
(603) 744-8664 • (800) 60-LAKES
www.lakesregion.org

Paid in Part by the NH Division of Travel & Tourism. For statewide group travel information 603-271-2665, www.visitnh.gov