While exploring the outdoors of New Hampshire is a great way to enjoy the spring and summer, we believe there are spots to adventure through all year! With some advanced planning, just about all of our hiking trails can be enjoyed year-round. And visiting a popular outdoor area in the off-season means more quiet, less crowds, and a whole new perspective. This lake in central New Hampshire is a great example and it’s also one of the cleanest in the region.

New Hampshire has plenty of lakes that draw visitors from all over the country. The most well-known are Winnipesaukee and Squam, but there’s another one that we love to visit when we’re in need of some quiet time.

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Located in the Lakes Region in Grafton County, Newfound Lake is among the largest in the state at 2.5 miles wide and 6 miles long.

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And, it’s considered to be the clearest and cleanest lake in the state. Its health comes from the fact that it’s 183-feet deep at it’s deepest point. This helps the volume of water move around to stay fresh.

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And the lake sits in the middle of about 100 square miles of undeveloped land which helps keep pollutants at bay. And, of course, the hard work of local volunteers who clean the area and maintain the trails here is super important.

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The water here is clear and fresh, making it a popular summertime destination.

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You can access one of the best stretches of shore at Wellington State Park where you’ll find the longest freshwater beach in the state.

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But we love to visit year-round. The fall is spectacular and the winter offers a special kind of peace and quiet.

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There are a number of trails to explore around the lake, which means you can get in some exercise and head to the shores of the lake when you’re done.

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There are 22 species of fish in Newfound Lake, which makes for great fishing.

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But, don’t worry too much about activities. Simply taking in the fresh air on a cool, crisp day is all you need to plan for here!

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Newfound Lake is large so you can see it by visiting a few different towns. We think one of the best ways to access it is with a visit to Wellington State Park in Bristol. You can learn more about it here. And you can learn more about the lakes region here. What’s your favorite spot to explore in the off-season? Share your recommendations with us in the comments!

management / TripAdvisor

sandytravelbug / TripAdvisor

Sam Naseef / Google

Jeff Eyssallenne / Google

Papita / Google

Gregory Rosic / Google

Lauren Busby / Google

A D / Google

B Smith / Google

If you love the idea of being outside but prefer for someone else to do the work, we’ve got a great activity for you! You can see the charming woods around North Conway in New Hampshire on this delightful sleigh ride.

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Address: Newfound Lake, New Hampshire, USA