Squam Lake
Described As The Second Largest Lake Wholly Within New Hampshire (Confirm), Kept Quiet And Largely Undeveloped By Conservation Easements; The Lake Where The 1981 Film On Golden Pond Was Shot, And Home To A Large Nesting Population Of Common Loons (Confirm Current Counts). · Holderness, New Hampshire
A large, quiet lake in the Lakes Region just north of Lake Winnipesaukee, often described as the second-largest lake wholly within New Hampshire (confirm), with dozens of wooded islands, long coves and a shoreline kept largely undeveloped by conservation easements and land trusts. It is where the 1981 film On Golden Pond was shot, and it holds one of the state's larger nesting populations of common loons (confirm current counts), whose calls carry across the water at dusk. Almost all of the shore is private, there is no big public beach, and the lake is best met from a canoe, a rented boat, a guided pontoon cruise or a ledge above it. The classic view is a short climb: the Old Bridle Path to West Rattlesnake, with East Rattlesnake a short walk further. Holderness, at the Route 3 bridge to Little Squam, is the small gateway village with a general store, marinas and the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Come for paddling, hiking and quiet, and keep well back from the loons.
US Route 3, Holderness, New Hampshire, 03245, United States
The lake itself is open all year, with no gate and no fee. The Rattlesnake trailheads on Route 113 are open daily from dawn to dusk, with a small roadside lot that fills early on summer and foliage weekends. Marinas and canoe and kayak rentals in Holderness run roughly late May to mid-October, with the longest hours from July to Labor Day (confirm). The guided pontoon cruises from the science center run roughly late May to mid-October on a published schedule. Holderness shops and restaurants are busiest in summer, and some close or cut hours from late October to May. In winter the lake freezes; ice fishing starts only once the ice is safe, and boating stops until ice-out in April.