Take yourself back to the 1930’s when travelers took the train from New York or Boston up to New Hampshire to spend a week or summer on Squam Lake. Fast forward to 2017 get in your canoe and start exploring the shores of Big Squam Lake. Much of the shoreline remains as it was at the turn of the century, woods! There are large estates on the lake but most are deep in the woods and not visible from the shore. Much of the shoreline is in conservation never to be built on. Squam is the second largest lake in NH. Traveling around the lake don’t expect to find anything more than woods, hiking trails, deer, moose, a few country stores, art galleries or an Inn along the way.
Ashland NH
Ashland is home to Little Squam. Ashland lies just about in the center of NH. Little Squam is dotted with cottages and two marinas a Wooden Covered Bridge where you can find gas, docking and boating supplies. The town has a small downtown where you can find a gourmet restaurant, groceries and lumber store for projects. Major ski resorts are 30 minutes north.
Holderness NH
Holderness is dotted with bed and breakfasts and is located Big Squam Lake and Little Squam. You can boat from Big Squam to Little Squam and the public boat launch is located just north of the bridge dividing the two lakes. Jet skis are allowed but not welcome on this scenic quiet lake. Plan on a visit to Squam Lakes Science Center an education center with NH native animals in natural settings. Cannon, Loon or Waterville Ski Areas are 30 minutes north of town. The Holderness School a well-known prep school is located in town on the Plymouth town line.
Sandwich NH
Sandwich a large rural town known as the cultural center of the NH lakes region has numerous art galleries at the town center. In October you can visit the Sandwich Fair, an agricultural fair that we visit every Columbus Day weekend. The town was recently ranked by Yankee Magazine # 8 in the top fall foliage towns to visit. You will find numerous hiking trails and scenic farms dotting the landscape around the town and Squam Lake.
Moultonborough NH
Moultonborough has miles of shoreline on Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee resulting in some of the lowest property taxes in New Hampshire. There is a small town center with a general store, gas station, restaurants you must visit along with shops. Boating, hiking, and snowmobiling are popular in this resort town. There some great hiking trails at Castle in the Clouds or the Red Hills.
Center Harbor NH
Center Harbor has waterfront shoreline on Squam and Winnipesaukee. The town center is located on the shoreline of Lake Winnipesaukee. In town, you have a grocery store with an excellent bakery, art galleries and is known as the quilting headquarters for NH. There are some excellent restaurants in town with my favorite being Canoe. Center Harbor is also the winter berth for the Mount Washington Cruise Ship. There is boating activity to be had on Big Squam Lake along with golfing, hiking and biking. In the winter you can snowmobile, cross-country ski, snowshoe ice fish, ice skate, and major ski resorts are close by.
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