Although the region is known to stun locals and visitors with its natural beauty throughout all four seasons, the year’s warmer months open up endless activities for outdoor-lovers alike. Thrill-seekers, curious learners and hikers can fill a summer day with ease at the many state parks and museums. Scenic country drives down back roads are a source of costless entertainment for the easy-going type, with a refreshing lake never too far off the route to escape the summer heat.
A day out on one of New Hampshire’s freshwater lakes is an ideal way to experience summer activities that embody the N.H. lifestyle. Out-of-state visitors as well as those lucky enough to call it home flock to the Lake Sunapee Region when temperatures rise. Various spots in the area offer boat rentals and water activities of the like, ensuring a summer day filled with excitement on the water.
Before leaving the dock, be aware New Hampshire has a mandatory boating education law. Everyone 16 years of age and older who operates a motorboat more than 25 horsepower on N.H. waters must have a boating education certificate. Visit nh.gov/safety/divisions for additional information.
Lake Sunapee, the big lake of the region, has five public-access boat ramps, conveniently staffed May through September for a day out on the water. The Lake Sunapee Host Program, established in 2000, covers all five ramps on the lake, with staff performing courtesy boat inspections. The program is administered by N.H. Lakes Association, and works to educate boaters using the lake on dangerous materials and invasive species. Visit lakesunapee.org/public-boat-ramps to help plan your trip this summer.
Georges Mill Harbor: Route 11 to Cooper Street, Sunapee
Sunapee Harbor on Lake Sunapee: Route 11 East on Main Street from blinking light, Sunapee
Sunapee State Beach at Lake Sunapee: Off Route 103 traffic circle, Newbury
Burkehaven Harbor: Off Lake Avenue, Sunapee
Car-top launching is available at Herrick Cove, New London; Soo-Nipi Park, New London, and Newbury Harbor Beach, Newbury.
Little Lake Sunapee located in the quaint town of New London features Bucklin Beach, which offers boating and swimming lessons during the summer months, with kayaking and canoeing popular, as well as sailing.
Bradford, a small town dubbed “the gateway to the Sunapee Region,” is home to Lake Massasecum Park and Campground. The facility offers guests canoe, kayaks, row boats and hydro bike rentals. Located just minutes from Interstate 89 off Route 114 on Lake Massasecum Road, Bradford. lakemassasecumcampground.com, 938-2571
Pleasant Lake in New London can be accessed at the Elkins Dam Site. For boater safety, members of the Pleasant Lake Protective Association will be on hand to provide rules and information regarding the favorable lake.
Northern Rail Trail
The Northern Rail Trail, running from Boscawen to Lebanon, is the longest rail trail in N.H. and goes through scenic countryside with views of lakes, rivers and mountains. The 57 miles of flat, packed stonedust trails can be used during the spring and summer seasons for walking, jogging, bicycling and horseback riding. Find a map of the trails at nrt.org.
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway
The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway is a 75 mile loop trail that links four New Hampshire State Parks: Sunapee, Winslow, Rollins and Wadleigh. The trail also links three New Hampshire State Forests: Gile, Kearsarge and Shadow Hill as well as one Wildlife Management Area: Bog Mountain. Find more about the all-volunteer organization at srkg.com.
Mount Sunapee State Park
At Mount Sunapee State Park, the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway connects with the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway at Lake Solitude and crosses the State Park from Newbury Harbor via the Newbury Trail and Solitude Trails to Goshen via the Summit and Province Trails. The summit of Mount Sunapee (elevation 2,743ft.) is reached via ski trails or the Summit hiking trail (Red Blaze). The start of the Summit Trail can be found on the right of the Lower Ridge ski trail, behind Sunapee Lodge. 86 Beach Access Road, Newbury.
Mount Kearsarge
Mount Kearsarge’s spacious summit is accessible from both Winslow State Park and Rollins State Park, and offers many ways to reach the peak, including the mile-long Winslow Trail, 1.5-mile Barlow Trail, and half a mile Warner Trail. A pleasant picnic at the top provides views of Mount Washington, the Green Mountains and on a crystal clear day, the Boston skyline.
Evolution Bike Park at
Mount Sunapee
The park trail system at Mount Sunapee consists of nearly five miles of downhill mountain biking excitement. It is a full-service, lift access mountain bike center with full suspension bike rentals, lesson programs and trail patrol. Find dates and fees at mountsunapee.com/mtsunapeewinter/adventurepark/evolutionbikepark or call 763-3500. 1398 Route 103, Newbury.
Sunapee Cruises
Experience the fun of a scenic daytime excursion on the MV Mount Sunapee II or enjoy an evening dinner cruise aboard the MV Kearsarge restaurant ship. Come aboard, relax and enjoy the wonderful New Hampshire scenery. Settle into your deck chair or ease back at your table and listen as the Captain narrates the history, lore and points of interest of this beautiful pristine mountain lake. 72 Main St., Sunapee. sunapeecruises.com, 938-6465
N.H. Telephone Museum
Discover 130 years of telephone history at one of the country’s finest exhibits of antique telephones and equipment. Guided tours by actual “telephone people” are available along with some interactive displays. The museum is home to a display of more than 1,000 artifacts. A true walk down memory lane. 1 Depot St., Warner. lwhs.us, 456-2234.
Ice House Museum
Explore Bill Kidder’s collection of cars and Americana. Free admission from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. 91 Pleasant St., New London. wfkicehouse.org, 526-9394
Nature Discovery Center
A hands-on nature center with interactive displays and activities designed to keep kids busy. Some of displays include mounted N.H. birds and mammals, sea life, pollinators, lichen, rocks and minerals, insects, fossils, plant life and reptiles. The center also has a nature trail, pollinator garden and available outdoor classes and programs. This nature center was designed by an award-winning science teacher, who still serves as its director. 18 Highlawn Road, Warner. ndcnh.org, 746-6121.
The Fells Estate
Explore the extensive gardens on the grounds of John Milton Hay’s 20th-century summer estate. Then head inside the 22-room Colonial Revival house to learn more about the diplomat. 456 Route 103A, Newbury. thefells.org, 763-4789.
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
Experience the circle and discover the Native culture of the Northeastern Woodlands through the collection of birch bark containers, moose hair embroidery and split ash baskets. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum offers self-guided and guided tours daily. Scheduled tours for schools, home-school groups, scouts, senior groups and charters are available. 18 Highlawn Road, Warner. indianmuseum.org, 456-2600.
On a relaxing afternoon in the Granite State’s Sunapee region, consider a countryside drive to one of the many historic covered bridges in the area. Find out more at nh.gov/nhdhr/bridges.
Dalton Bridge: South of N.H. Route 103 on Joppa Road spanning the Warner River in Warner.
Waterloo Bridge: South of N.H. Route 103, two miles west of Warner Village on New Market Road across the Warner River in Warner.
Bement Bridge: One quarter mile north of the intersection of N.H. Routes 103 and 114 on Bradford Center Road in Bradford. The bridge spans the west branch of the Warner River.
Keniston Bridge: South of U.S. Route 4, one mile west of Andover Village on Lorden Road over the Blackwater River in Andover.
Cilleyville Bridge: At the junction of N.H. Route 11 and N.H. Route 4A in Andover spanning Pleasant Brook.
Corbin Bridge: West of N.H. Route 10 on North Newport Road, two miles north of Newport Village over the Croydon Branch of the Sugar River.
Pier Bridge: East of Chandler Station and west of N.H. Route 103 on the Concord and Claremont Railroad line in Newport spanning the Sugar River.
Wright’s Bridge: Two miles south of N.H. Route 103 and one-half mile west of Chandler Station on the Concord and Claremont Railroad line in Newport spanning the Sugar River.