LAKE RESOURCES
Kezar Lake may be small, but there’s so much to see and do. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to this picturesque area.
Public areas and things to do
BOATING
Bring your small motorboats, canoes, kayaks or paddleboards but not your Jet Skis — they’re prohibited on Kezar Lake.
Public Boat Launch
Located at Horse Beach, off Penacook Road.
Wadleigh State Park
The park includes a launch for non-motorized vessels.
BEACHES
The two beaches that dot the Kezar Lake shoreline are Mother Nature’s answer to zero-entry swimming areas. Both are open to the public.
Wadleigh State Park Beach
A beautiful beach that’s shaded by tall pines and surrounded by picnic sites.
78 Wadleigh State Park Road, Sutton
Horse Beach
Located near the public boat launch on the east side of the lake in Sutton.
HIKING
From easy-to-travel flat loops to mountain summits, the region around Kezar Lake is a hiking destination for all skill levels.
Kezar Lake Loop
A combination of pavement and packed gravel makes this 3.1-mile trail perfect for walking, running or biking. Start at the public boat ramp on Wadleigh State Park Road.
Mount Kearsarge
You’ll find breathtaking, 360-degree views at the top of this rocky mountain. The trail begins at nearby Winslow State Park.
475 Kearsarge Mountain Road, Wilmot
King Hill Reservation
This 441-conservation area was originally designed for downhill skiing, but visitors can enjoy its trails year-round. Look for trailheads and maps off Hominy Pot Road, King Hill Road and Felch Road on the north end of the lake.
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway
This 75-mile loop passes through Sutton as it connects these three mountains via well-kept scenic hiking trails.
EVENTS
Kezar Lake and nearby Sutton are home to year-round events that draw attendees from near and far.
Muster Field Farm Museum
Eighteenth-century historic homestead featuring restored farm buildings and a working farm.
Harvey Road, North Sutton
- Ice Day, a New England–style harvest, takes place each February.
- June Jam, a music festival featuring folk, blues, bluegrass and more.
- Farm Days, a two-day summer celebration of all things agricultural.
- Harvest Day, the perfectly family-friendly way to welcome autumn.
Ice House Museum
Charming hands-on museum in nearby New London that’s a must-see for lovers of old cars.
- Old Cars & Coffee, select summer Saturdays.
- Old Ford Saturday, every July.
GOLFING
Several area golf clubs give visitors the opportunity to enjoy a day on the green against gorgeous mountain backdrops.
Country Club of New Hampshire
187 Kearsarge Valley Road, North Sutton
Lake Sunapee Country Club
Country Club Lane, New London
Baker Hill Golf Club
101 Baker Hill Road, Newbury
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Head out on the trails with your downhill skis, cross-country skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles to explore the gorgeous wintertime playground.
Nearby Ski Resorts
Mount Sunapee, Sunapee
Pine Hill Ski Club, New London
Ragged Mountain Ski Resort, Danbury
Cross-Country Skiing
Wadleigh State Park
SNOWSHOE RENTALS
Follansbee Inn
THE KEZAR LAKE STORY
A sparkling lake with a mountain view
Bordered by the village of North Sutton and in full view of Mount Kearsarge beyond, the 182-acre Kezar Lake is one of the earliest-developed lakes in the region and is still lined by gorgeous homes from a time gone by. The area grew in popularity in the mid-1900s, when travelers would come by rail or stagecoach to spend their summers lakeside, but its history dates back thousands of years.
The lake and surrounding area have evidence of Native American activity, including a still-visible fire hearth, burial grounds, tools and other artifacts. And while its ecosystem is protected today by the Kezar Lake Protective Association, it went through a period of stress in the mid-1960s when a large amount of phosphorus leaked into the water. Fortunately, a group of diligent and dedicated caretakers returned the water to a state that’s so clean, you can see your feet while swimming at Wadleigh State Park.
Although the lake is small, it’s home to the aptly named Loon Island, the home of a family of loons that nest there year-round, it’s also a destination for fresh blueberries and can be reached by boat in the summer or snowshoes in the winter.