What are the Most Popular Beaches in New Hampshire?
If New Hampshire isn’t the first state that springs to mind when you think of a killer beach trip, well, you’re not alone… but you are missing out. Although it’s perched just about as far north as you can get while remaining in the contiguous United States of America, and although it boasts plenty of inland mountains too, New Hampshire is home to some incredible beachscapes, both oceanside and lakeside. Here are ten not to miss.
Top Beaches in New Hampshire
1. Echo Lake State Park Beach
2. White Lake State Park Beach
3. Wellington State Park Beach
4. Mount Sunapee State Park Beach
5. Allen Albee Beach
6. Weirs Beach
7. Ellacoya State Park Beach
8. Wallis Sands State Beach
9. Jenness Beach
10. Hampton Beach State Park
New Hampshire Beaches
Here are the most beautiful New Hampshire beaches to add to your must-do list next time you’re in the state!
1. Echo Lake State Park Beach
Nestled within an easy drive of the town of Conway, under the shadows of the many stunning surrounding mountainsides, Echo Lake State Park offers a shimmering lakefront beach that mates soft sands with the most beautiful turquoise waters. Best of all, you’re ringed on all sides with rolling green peaks, and the park is criss-crossed with hiking trails that are as popular for summer walks as they are for winter cross-country skiing. Lie lazily along the calm rim of the lake or take to its waters for a swim — it’ll be chilly, but it’s a great way to cool off after a hot New Hampshire summer day, and its shallows are perfect for young swimmers who are still getting their strength together.
Things to do near Echo Lake State Park Beach: With its lake, river, and other types of rugged New Hampshire countryside, the park itself is chock full of things to do, from horseback riding to ice fishing to rock climbing. And it’s all in the shadow of White Mountain National Forest, which offers more than 800,000 acres of additional outdoor recreation opportunities. The world is your oyster! Here are some local RVshare rentals to take along with you on the journey.
2. White Lake State Park Beach
Another state-run wilderness preserve on an interior New Hampshire lake, White Lake State Park’s beach sits along a glacial lake, brimming with the perfectly chilly water you need to cool off from a hot New Hampshire summer’s day. A slightly smaller state park, this one is really all about the lake front — though there are still enough amenities to make it into a fun family trip, including restrooms, some walking trails and on-site camping.
Things to do near White Lake State Park Beach: This state park has the unique benefit of being within an easy driving distance of several other beautiful inland lakes, so there are even more opportunities to get your feet wet in the area! Check out Ossipee Lake and Silver Lake, for starters, or head to Hemenway State Forest for some more woodsy goodness. Here are some local RVshare rentals to consider for your trip.
3. Wellington State Park Beach
A bit further west, deep in the heart of New Hampshire, Wellington State Park awaits, boasting a soft-sand, scenic lake beachfront that will make you feel as if you’ve journeyed to the coastline… except for the gorgeous mountains in the distance, that is. The 220-acre park is situated on the southwestern side of Newfound Lake, which covers almost seven square miles of surface area and is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and watersports of all stripes. In fact, the state park has its own boat facility and is a good option for those looking for a launch point, though you won’t be disappointed if all you do is show up, lay out your towel, and enjoy the lakefront.
Things to do near Wellington State Park Beach: Situated far afield from any major New Hampshire towns, Wellington State Park is only a short drive from Cardigan Mountain State Forest. If you’re really looking to get away from it all without looking back, consider an RVshare rental, which offers you all the comforts of home while you’re on the road!
4. Mount Sunapee State Park Beach
Mount Sunapee State Park may be better known as a winter destination than a summer one: it’s home to one of the (relatively) few alpine skiing resorts on the east coast, and thus is a popular vacation choice for those seeking some snow sport adventures. That said, it’s a stunning place to visit in the warmer weather, too — not least because of its sparkling mountain beach, which offers access to its namesake lake. The soft sand is perfectly moldable into sand castles and other sculptures, and the waters, though cool, are calm and shallow toward the coast, making it a great place for the entire family to relax and enjoy. There’s also a nearby playground and a grassy knoll for firing up a game of tag or frisbee!
Things to do near Mount Sunapee State Park Beach: Yet another New Hampshire state park that’s not very close to any major population centers, but is an easy drive from some other wildernesses, we recommend you string your visit along with trips to Wadleigh State Park or Mount Kearsarge State Forest Park. An RVshare rental makes it comfortable and convenient!
5. Allen Albee Beach
Lake Wentworth sits immediately to the east of the larger Lake Winnipesaukee — but sometimes, good things come in small packages, and that’s definitely the case for Allen Albee Beach. A small preserve tucked between Moose Point and Hersey Point, this is a classic lakeside beach getaway with blue-green waters, golden-white sands, and surrounding foliage that won’t let you forget that you’re still deep in the heart of the mountain northeast, even as you cool your heels by the water. Along with sunbathing and swimming, this beach is also popular amongst boaters looking for a launch point, and the Cotton Valley Rail Trail runs right through it.
Things to do near Allen Albee Beach: The New Hampshire Boat Museum is just minutes away from this beachfront, as are other natural preserves like Wentworth State Park and the Ellis R. Hatch Jr. Wildlife Management Area. Here are some area RVshare rentals so you can see it all in style!
6. Weirs Beach
While good things come in small packages, they come in bigger ones, too — and if you’re still curious about Lake Winnipesaukee, head just a touch west from Allen Albee Beach to Weirs Beach, both a small city and an actual beachfront that sits at the place where the Weirs Channel connects the lake to Paugus Bay. One of the best-known interior beaches in the state of New Hampshire, this one is often crowded, but the wide swath of sand offers ample room for everyone to lay down their towel. Shallow waves lap the shore, making for a great opportunity for younger swimmers to try their hands (or feet, as it were) at the water. Plus, it’s all within walking distance of the many amenities and attractions that await in the small town of the same name.
Things to do near Weirs Beach: The Endicott Rock State Historic Site, with its 1652 engraving, is immediately adjacent to the beach, and other preserved green spaces like Weirs Community Park aren’t much further afield. Here are some area RVshare rentals to check out if you’re looking for a home on wheels for the weekend (or longer!).
7. Ellacoya State Park Beach
Further southeast along Lake Winnipesaukee’s shore, this small state park offers a well-maintained sandy beach area with excellent views, shallow waters, and low wake — in other words, the perfect place for the kids to get their feet wet. And although it might be a smaller state park than some of the others New Hampshire has to offer, it does have its very own on-site RV campground, with full-service hookups available, as well as tent camping sites, yurts and cabins. No matter how you slice it, Ellacoya State Park is the perfect place to while away a beachy weekend in the heart of central New Hampshire!
Things to do near Ellacoya State Park Beach: If you continue to tour the perimeter of this stunning interior New Hampshire lake, you won’t run out of things to see, do, or eat — it’s one of the premier vacation destinations in the state. An RV trip is the perfect way to see it all easily and cozily; here are some area RVshare rentals to consider.
8. Wallis Sands State Beach
Ah, time to move onto the small-but-mighty New Hampshire Atlantic oceanfront, which offers plenty of stunning beach opportunities. Wallis Sands State Beach is located just outside of the town of Rye, which boasts more than one beautiful sandy shore. This one, however, is special; its golden-white sands are lined with scenic stones and look out on an absolutely endless ocean vista. The surf is generally gentle (though caution is always advised when you’re talking about the ocean), and lifeguards are on duty during peak swimming times. Do be forewarned that you’ll have to pay for parking… but it’s worth it!
Things to do near Wallis Sands State Beach: If you’re looking to get a different look at the unique ocean flora and fauna in the area — an up-close and personal one — head north a ways to the Seacoast Science Center, which features touch tanks and other programming designed especially for kids. Plus, the small towns lining the oceanfront here are chock-full of cute places to shop, eat, and relax. Here are some local RVshare rentals to consider.
9. Jenness Beach
Just a little bit further south along the same section of New Hampshire coast, Jenness Beach is another opportunity for sun-worshippers and swimmers — and it’s got a surf shop right behind it, so you know it’s the place to head if you’re looking to hang ten. With less crowding and more of a local community feel than many other beaches we’ve listed here, Jenness Beach is a great place to catch the sunrise if you’re up early enough, or simply to while away a day with a great book and your favorite beverage. Just make sure it’s a soft drink — no alcohol is allowed on the beaches of Rye!
Things to do near Jenness Beach: This beach is closer to the more developed part of Rye, so you’re within walking distance of several shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Continue a touch further south to visit Sawyers Beach and get yet another viewpoint on this unique area. Here are some local RVshare rentals to consider for the trek!
10. Hampton Beach State Park
Last but certainly not least, Hampton Beach State Park‘s beachfront is widely considered one of the best in the state, if not the entire northeast. Offering a whopping 50 acres of preserved oceanfront, there’s no shortage of soft sands to lay down your towel on (or build a sand castle in) here, and the scenery is absolutely out of this world — so much so that it regularly attracts visitors from Portland (Maine, not Oregon), Boston, and beyond. This beach occupies a special stretch of the oceanfront where Hampton Harbor Inlet presses into the coast to meet the Blackwater River. It’s an absolutely unmissable destination for anyone in New Hampshire, so be sure to add it to your list!
Things to do near Hampton Beach State Park: The town of Hampton Beach has plenty of attractions to offer, not least of which are its well-known casinos, and if you’re looking for a day trip, Fuller Gardens to the north offers a different kind of natural beauty to enjoy. Here are some local RVshare rentals to consider for your stay!
Planning an RV Trip to New Hampshire
See? New Hampshire does have great beaches… and plenty of other gorgeous attractions worth traveling for, too! An RV trip is the perfect way to put it all together, so here are the resources you need to do it well:
- Check out the best peer-to-peer RV rentals in the state of New Hampshire
- And the best campgrounds and state parks to stay in and explore
- We’ve also written guides to the towns of Nashua and Manchester for those looking for an urban getaway
And as always, we can’t wait to hear about your one-of-a-kind vacation!
