Whether you’re seeking a comfortable place to cool off, a natural lake to swim in or a local pool to bring friends and family, Concord and the surrounding areas are full of hidden gems and natural water bodies. 

As temperatures continue to soar across the nation, densely populated cities away from the seacoast, like Concord, are more prone to feel the effects of the summer heat without a breeze to break up the humidity and thickness in the area. 

But many of the recommended swimming areas in the county don’t have lifeguards on duty, besides at the Concord city swimming pools, and drownings in the Merrimack River have increased over the last several years as city goers plunge into a current invisible to the surface.

When swimming in a river, a lake or any body of water that is either unfamiliar or an undercurrent could be present, try to swim with friends. If not a strong swimmer, have a life jacket with you – it will save your life. 

Pools

Though the city of Concord operates six outdoor pools and a splash pad, the number of lifeguards the recreation department can hire will determine the number of pools that will be opened.

The pools are free for use for Concord and Penacook residents with proof of identification while non-residents can buy a season-long pool pass for $125 or a 48-hour pass for $20. Both passes can be purchased at the recreation office or the citywide community center. 

Merrimack River & Sewall’s Falls

A moving body of water, like the Merrimack River, is one of the most dangerous places to swim, especially for children or inadequate swimmers. 

Still, there are several small areas of calm water at off-the-beaten-path beaches throughout the 214-acre recreation area which has trails along 5-miles of the Merrimack River, the most popular of which is a trail leading from the boat launch area toward the Merrimack shoreline where swimmers can find corners of calm waters to take a dip in. 

However, there are no sanctioned swimming areas along the river and there are no lifeguards on duty monitoring the waterway. 

State Parks

Though easy to access, parks across the state require an entrance fee of around $3 per adult and $1 for children between the ages of six and 11 while admittance is free for children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 65. The fees may differ per park. 

Clough State Park, which is located about 20 minutes from Concord, sits on a public reservation area on the east side of Everett Lake about five miles east of the town of Weare. The lake is formed by a dam on the Piscataquog River and is open weekends beginning Memorial Day weekend and daily from late June through Labor Day.

About 30 minutes east of Clough State Park sits Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown where residents can enjoy hiking over 10,000 acres of conservation land. Throughout the property, there are several lakes and ponds where residents can swim, specifically Catamount and Bear Hill ponds. Bear Hill Pond can be accessed to the south of the property by Bear Hill Pond Road while Catamount Pond, which offers boating and kayaking, is accessed through the north entrance of the state park.

To the west of Concord by about 15 minutes is Elm Brook Park which is part of the Hopkinton-Everett Lakes Reservoir and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps. Once inside the reservoir, which costs $5 per vehicle that enters, visitors can swim in Hopkinton Lake and will have access to picnic areas with grills and a playground, recreational boating and kayaking and sporting fields for soccer, basketball and baseball.

Tucked away behind the Opechee Peninsula in Laconia along the shores of Lake Winnepesaukee are two swimming areas – Opechee Cove and Opechee Point – 40 minutes north of the city. Because the water in the cove doesn’t move as often as other beaches, it can often test high in e. coli while the point tests better than the cove. Look for signs before entering either water bodies. There is no fee for parking.

Beaches

Located closest to Concord are Griffin and Lagace beaches in Franklin which both sit on Webster Lake. The beaches have a sandy shoreline and a green lawn space for picnicking, according to the city’s website. Parking permits are required by residents and all non-residents can purchase permits for $5 from the beach attendants at the entrance or through the Parks and Recreation Department. To the north of Concord by about 45 minutes is Weirs Beach in the northern corner of Laconia on Lake Winnipesaukee in Endicott Lake Park. There are no lifeguards on duty and patrons must pay at the parking kiosks before using the beach.

And if you prefer saltwater above all, the ocean is only about an hour to the east from Concord, in Portsmouth, Rye and Hampton or across the bridge to Maine in Ogunquit and York. 

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