If you’d like to find Squam Lake cottages that lease all year long and learn about the area’s history, you came to the right place.
We’ve got your ultimate guide to everything from beaches to facts on the lake itself! While other lakes in and around New Hampshire may be a bit more popular, you’ll find that Squam Lake offers plenty to do without the crazy tourist crowds.
For things to do near Lake Winnipesaukee, consider making a trip over to Squam Lake!
Squam Lake is a six-mile-long, four-mile-wide lake with 98 feet in total depth to the very bottom surface. It’s got plenty of wildlife swimming at the very bottom and surrounds over 61 miles of total shoreline. The population of this area is barely over 2,000 people, but you’ll never feel alone. The locals are incredibly welcome and are happy to show you what life is like in this beautiful destination.
Squam Lake History
The first name this lake was publicly known was “Keeseenunknipee.” In Native dialects, this term meant “the goose lake on the highlands,” which describes it perfectly, still to this very day. It has also gone by other names, such as Kesumpe, Casumpa, and Kusumpy. These three names were most common in the late 1770s. But in the early part of the following century, they called it “Asquam,” the name coming to mean “water.” Just a bit later, the lake’s name changed, once more, to Squam. Historical records show the lake still looks quite similar to what it did in the 1700s and 1800s, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Public Beaches
Of course, you’re probably interested in the beaches when you talk about a lake. Some popular local beaches include Sandwich Town Beach in Sandwich, NH; Livermore Public Beach in Holderness, NH; Waukewan Beach right by Meredith, NH; Ashland Town Beach in Ashland, NH; and States Landing Beach in Moultonborough, NH.
All listed beaches are small and offer privacy, basic restrooms, and parking spots (first-come, first-served). Ashland Town Beach is one of the more crowded, especially during hot summers. It’s usually got the fewest picnic tables available, so if you want a great spot by the water, it’s best to show up early.
Nearby Towns
We will give you a quick rundown of the nearby towns. After all, you may not want to spend the entire day outside by the lake. First, consider stopping in Holderness, a lakefront town with the most public boating and jet skiing spots in all the local communities. Next, you have Sandwich, a larger rural (yet still lakefront) town with countless art galleries. It’s a foliage town sprinkled with numerous elegant leaves during the fall; you can’t miss it if you love taking photos!
Moultonborough, a waterfront shore-lined town is smaller but still holds many great spots for snowmobiling, hiking, and boating. Center Harbor is waterfront and lakefront-based and has shorelines by both Winnipesaukee and Squam Lakes; it holds countless hiking spots, plus the most restaurants, including a top-choice one named Canoe Restaurant & Tavern.
Squam Lake Vacation Rentals
Make plenty of time to browse our Squam Lake rentals to find the perfect match for your group. Our rentals here are close to the islands, the nature preserves, and more. There’s lots of access from our rentals to the tourist areas by car, foot, or boat.
