Referral Guide – Lakes Region

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Use this document filled with local referrals from Granite State Ambassadors & State Welcome Center attendants as an informational starting point for guest referrals. For business referrals, please reference your local brochures & guides. 


Hidden Gems | Covered Bridges | Swimming Holes | Places to Paddle | Hikes and Nature Walks | Bike Trails | Picnic Area Favorites | Historical Sites | Other Favorites | Local Information Resources & Welcome Centers


Hidden Gems

Knights Pond Conservation Area, Route 28 to Rimes Road, Alton –  walking trail around pond (https://lrct.org/events/knights-pond-conservation-area-hike/)

Sculpture Walk, downtown Meredith – along Main Street and lake (http://www.greatermeredithprogram.com/sculpture-walk.html)

Sculptured Rocks Geologic area, 251 Sculptured Rocks Road, Hebron 

“Volcanic ring dike” made by Ossipee Mountain Range.  Towns of Ossipee, S. Tamworth, Tuftonboro and Moultonborough are on the rim.  In the center of the range is the Ossipee caldera, the filled cauldron of the collapsed volcano.  Can be seen in part from Castle in the Clouds.  Mt. Shaw is the tallest peak left (nearly 3,000 feet) from the volcano.

Covered Bridges

Durgin Bridge, Durgin Road, Sandwich – 1½ miles north of NH 113, 2 miles east of N. Sandwich Village. Bridge is 96’ long, built in 1869, and listed on National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was named for James Durgin who ran a nearby grist mill. It was also part of the underground railroad from Sandwich to North Conway.

Squam River Bridge, River Street, Ashland – off US 3. Bridge is 61’ long, built in 1990, and has a sidewalk on one side. When the former steel bridge was condemned, the citizens chose a single lane covered bridge for this location rather than the two-lane steel bridge proposed by the state. Both the town and the Ashland Historical Society contributed funds to build the bridge, but the bulk of the money came from contributions from over 500 donors. The bridge was built to replicate the tradition style of covered bridges.

Tannery Hill Bridge, 47 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford – just off NH 11A, near the police station. Bridge is 35’ long and built in 1995. This bridge spans the Gunstock Brook just north of the village proper in Gilford. The bridge was constructed by Tim Andrews and presented to the community of Gilford by the Gilford Rotary Club in 1995. It was built to link the town hall with the rest of the town center. It is named for the tannery that once stood in the area.

Whittier Bridge, Nudd Road, Ossipee – west of NH 16 at W. Ossipee Village. Bridge is 133’ long, built in 1870, and listed on National Register of Historic Places. This bridge has been under repair over the years, but as of September 2019, the bridge had not been returned to its abutment and is closed.

Swimming Holes

Sculptured Rocks Geologic area, 251 Sculptured Rocks Road, Hebron. (http://www.swimmingholes.org/nh.html)

Profile Falls, Profile Falls Road (off Route 3A north from town),  Bristol – Yes to dogs! (https://nhtourguide.com/profile-falls-bristol-nh-327.html)

Griffin Beach on Webster Lake, 24 Pine Colony Rd, Franklin. (https://www.franklinnh.org/parks-recreation/pages/recreational-facilities)

Ellacoya State Park on Lake Winnipesaukee, 280 Scenic Drive (off Route 11),  Gilford – beach area, shallow water.  (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/ellacoya-state-park.aspx)

Wellington State Park on Newfound Lake, 614 N. Shore Road,  Bristol – Very clear water! (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/wellington-state-park.aspx)

Jump Rock at Five Finger Point, Rattlesnake Cove, Squam Lake,  Holderness

Brewster Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, grounds of Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro.  (http://www.wolfeborochamber.com/directory/recreation/swimming-beaches/)

Albee Beach on Lake Wentworth, Route 109, Wolfeboro.  (http://www.wolfeborochamber.com/directory/recreation/swimming-beaches/)

Cary Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, 201 Forest Road, Wolfeboro.  (http://www.wolfeborochamber.com/directory/recreation/swimming-beaches/)

Places to Paddle

Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N. Shore Road, Hebron.  (https://newfoundlake.org/greyrocks/)

Webster Lake, Route 11, Franklin – Parking lot requires parking permit for non-residents;  get from beach attendant, boat ramp access.  (See Swimming Holes above.)

Ellacoya State Park on Lake Winnipesaukee, 280 Scenic Drive (off Route 11), Gilford. (See Swimming Holes above.)

Albee Beach on Lake Wentworth, Route 109, Wolfeboro – kayaking. (See Swimming Holes above.)

Wellington State Park on Newfound Lake, 614 N. Shore Road,  Bristol – Very clear water!  (See Swimming Holes above.)

Lakeport Landing, Laconia –  after the Marina on the side street in Lakeport Landing. It launches you into Paugus Bay, which leads to the Weirs.

Knights Pond Conservation Area, Route 28 to Rimes Road, Alton.  (See Hidden Gems above.)

Merrymeeting Lake, Merrymeeting Rd. and South Shore Rd., New Durham – full boat launch, beautiful lake.  (https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/merrymeeting_newdurham.pdf)

 

Hikes and Nature Walks

Sewall Woods, Sewall Road, Wolfeboro. (https://www.wolfeboronh.us/parks-recreation/pages/parks-playgrounds-and-beaches-contd)

Franklin Falls Dam, Federal Dam Access Road, Franklin -Created by Army Corps of Engineers, can walk onto dam, drive on dam, read & learn about its history/history of Franklin NH. Several hiking trail entrances located at parking lot as well, dog friendly, family friendly. (https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Franklin-Falls-Dam/)

Winnipesaukee River Trail, Trestle View Park, Franklin.  (http://www.winnirivertrail.org/)

Quincy Bog Natural Area, Quincy Bog Road (off Route 25), Rumney – Boardwalk-some parts need repair so be careful, scenic, learning center, natural area-great for a family walk, be careful with small kids , very unique.  (https://www.quincybog.org/)

Sculptured Rocks Geologic Area,  251 Sculptured Rocks Road, Hebron.  (See Swimming Holes above.)

Five Finger Point Trail on Squam Lake, Holderness – Near Rattlesnake Mountain.

Rattlesnake Mountain, Route 113, Sandwich – a family-friendly climb with amazing views of Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee.  (http://www.hikenewengland.com/RattlesnakeWestGen1.php)

 

Bike Trails

Winnipesaukee River Trail, Trestle View Park, Franklin.  (See Hike above.)

Franklin Falls Dam, Federal Dam Access Road, Franklin – Mountain-bike friendly trails.  (See Hike above.)

Gunstock Ski Area, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford – They also have the fat bikes there.  (www.gunstock.com)

Highland Mountain Bike Park, Bean Hill Rd (off of NH 132, near I-93 exit 19), Northfield.  (https://www.highlandmountain.com/)

Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Railroad Avenue, Wolfeboro – goes past Lake Wentworth and beach. (http://cottonvalleyrailtrail.org/)

Abenaki-Sewall Woods, from Abenaki Ski Area, 390 Pine Hill Road  to Downtown Wolfeboro.  (https://www.wolfeboronh.us/parks-recreation/pages/parks-trails-and-beaches)

Northern Recreational Trail, from Boscawen to Lebanon – portion goes through Franklin.  (https://fnrt.org/)

Picnic Area Favorites

Wellington State Park on Newfound Lake, 614 N. Shore Road, Bristol.  (See Swimming Holes.)

Griffin Beach on Webster Lake, Griffin Road and Webster Avenue, Franklin – View/access to Webster Lake, picnic tables, grassy area, sandy area, boat ramp access.  No dogs allowed.  (See Swimming Holes above.)

Odell Park, 124 Memorial Street, Franklin.  (https://www.franklinnh.org/parks-recreation/pages/recreational-facilities)

Cate Park, South Main Street, Wolfeboro – overlooking Wolfeboro Harbor and Lake Winnipesaukee. (https://www.wolfeboronh.us/parks-recreation/pages/parks-trails-and-beaches)

Tarbin Gardens, 321 Salisbury Road, Franklin – Bring your own picnic, explore gardens, English tea!  (http://www.tarbingardens.com/)

Riverfront Park, 322 W. Main Street, Tilton –  Fishing, picnic tables, seasonal restrooms, view of water, historic statues & monuments to read.

Tilton Memorial Arch, Elm Street, Northfield. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Arch_of_Tilton)

Historical Sites

Franklin Falls Dam, Federal Dam Access Road, Franklin -Created by Army Corps of Engineers, can walk onto dam, drive on dam, read & learn about its history/history of Franklin NH. Several hiking trail entrances located at parking lot as well, dog friendly, family friendly.  (See Hike above.)

Riverfront Park, 322 W. Main Street, Tilton –  View of water, historic statues & monuments to read.

Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site, 131 North Road, Franklin –  state park and historic house in Franklin.  (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/historic-sites/daniel-webster-birthplace)

Abenaki Tower, Route 109, Melvin Village – short walk, then climb to view the lake. (http://www.wolfeborochamber.com/directory/recreation/hiking-%26-walking-trails/-abenaki-tower/details/)

Visit our GSA Lakes Region Museum and Heritage Site List

Other Favorites

Profile Falls, Profile Falls Road (off Route 3A north from town),  Bristol – Swimming, waterfall, hiking, parking lot, porta-potties in summer, connects to snowmobile trails.  (See Swimming Holes.)

Veteran’s Memorial Ski Area, 266 Flaghole Road, Franklin – a unique winter experience and living memorial to veterans lost.  (https://www.franklinoutingclub.org/vmra.html)

Travel Route 25 to see the small lake towns of Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough.

Kellerhaus, 259 Endicott St N, Laconia, just north of Weirs Beach on Route 3.  A family operated business that has been making handmade chocolates, candies, and ice cream since 1906.  Famous for its make your own sundaes buffet, great gift shop, too.  (www.kellerhaus.com/)

Sophie C Mail Boat, Weirs Beach Docks – the oldest floating post office in the U. S. delivers mail to islands on Lake Winnipesaukee.  Mail something from the boat to get the special Lake Winnipesaukee postage cancellation stamp.  Sells ice cream which makes the kids come running when they hear the boat’s horn announcing the boat’s arrival.  It’s a real lake experience. (https://cruisenh.com/pages/mailboat-cruises)

LOCAL INFORMATION RESOURCES AND WELCOME CENTERS TO SEND GUESTS TO WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THAT AREA

Canterbury State Welcome Center, I-93 north between exits 18 and 19

Sanbornton State Welcome Center, I-93 south between exits 22 and 20.

Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 121, West Ossipee

(603) 651-1600 or https://www.ossipeevalley.org/

Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, 383 South Main Street, Laconia

(603) 524-5531 or http://www.lakesregionchamber.org/

Lakes Region Tourism, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton

(I-93 Exit 20, Route 3 East,  within the Franklin Savings Bank Building behind

Tilt’n Diner; additional seasonal office in Alton Bay at the town docks.)

(603) 286-8008 or https://www.lakesregion.org/

Meredith Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 732, Meredith

(877) 279-6121 or http://www.meredithareachamber.com/

Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce, 32 Central Avenue, Wolfeboro

(603) 569-2200 or www.wolfeboroughnh.us

October 13, 2020