Nice little beach at the south end of Newfound Lake…read more This beach is maybe 500 yards long, and anywhere from 2 to 20 feet wide. It's got nice white sand, especially for a fresh water lake. There are parallel parking spots along the left side of (one way) Shore Drive. No bathrooms or lifeguard, but it's free - unlike the state park at the north end. There is one decent restaurant across the street, named The Big Catch, and they do have bathrooms. The water is crystal clear, as Newfound is one of the ten cleanest bodies of fresh water in the world. And you can't beat the views of the mountains.

Beautiful beach with lots of area for picnics. The view of the mountains off the lake is breath…read moretaking! Unfortunately, today the water was full of pollen so we didn't get in the water. The one downside that made us pack up and leave, was within 10 minutes of putting our blanket in the sand, we found 5 ticks! Obviously this is something out of the parks control, but definitely something to be aware of if u go, especially with small children like myself.

What can I say... At…read morefirst I was afraid, I was petrified, kept thinking I could never live with all that water underneath me and by my side... BUT THEN... I got on that boat, (no life jacket either!!), and then jumped into the water in the middle of the lake after being egged on by friends and lo and behold... I REALLY COULD STAND IN THE WATER!! Are you kidding me? I am in the middle of the lake and the water is only up to my chest, this is AMAZING, can I stay in here all day? I love water but am afraid of getting on boats, and much less JUMPING in the water...but this lake was amazing! Did I also mention that another it met my other large body of water criteria?? You could actually see down to the bottom of the lake where we were standing...um hmm...that's right...so clear, but of course it is! It's one of the 10 cleanest natural lakes in the WHOLE world! Imagine that, in tiny New Hampshire to boot! All this beauty surrounded by large trees, and cute lake houses. Even the islands in the lake looked like mini forests! P.S. Hate to harp on about how shallow some parts of the lake were, but I will because it was pretty amazing to see people standing in the water and playing catch in the middle of the lake, or a man pulling a nice sized boat with his fam on it with the water only up to his waist...it was practically like seeing Jesus walking on water or something!! I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't making this up!!. I've never seen anything like it!!

This is a nice calm pond. About 5 miles when you kayak along the shore of all the pond…read more Good place to kayak, canoe, stand up paddle, fish, and swim. Also some people were enjoying soaking up the sun at the shore. You can see nice wild life, especially loons. I saw two baby loons for the first time.

A beautiful park with amazing trails and interesting history. The rangers were helpful and…read morefriendly. I definitely plan to return.

We pulled up to the ticket booth just off the main road at around 2:15 p.m. on a weekday. After…read morepaying our $5 per person, it took another 15 - 20 minutes to drive up the twisting road to the parking lot closest to the summit. There was only one other car parked there, though the lot looked like it could hold 35 - 40 cars. The hike from there was then a minimum of 0.6 miles (rocky and occasionally steep) to a lookout tower (25 feet tall, maybe). The summit was another 0.1 miles but probably wasn't even as high as the tower. We took the Slot trail up since it appeared to be more gradual (but was a bit longer). On the way back, we opted for the other option: the Slab trail (which was steeper but had steps cut into the dirt or fashioned from large stones, in spots). I would classify this hike as short but moderate. The tower views were pretty nice. It probably took us a bit over an hour to hike up and back.

This is a cool spot to cool down when it's hot. I would Recommend going to this place.read more

Hurricane Irene really took a toll on 20 foot hole. Most of the stream (and much of VT for that…read morematter) was devistated from huge flash flooding and the swimming hole was filled in with mud, silt,and rocks. Some of the locals have been trying to restore the swimming hole by scooping out the mud with buckets. I will update more this summer on this progress.

One of my fav hikes in this gorgeous town. Yes, there is some road noise from I-89 in the beginning…read moreof the trail but as soon as one walks past the small knoll, it's a little Walden Pond. Still, that doesn't take from the fact that it's one of the nicest short hikes in New London's many trails, which are the work of a dedicated group of people in the New London Conservation Commission. About ten minutes after the trailhead, the trail skirts the shore of Otter Lake, providing placid, beautiful views of the shoreline across the lake, and a couple of benches to relax, admire the scenery, zen out or have a peaceful lunch. Afterwards, the trail climbs a bit steeply towards the former rock quarry, almost unrecognizable after decades of nature taking back what's hers. There is a small detour to see the quarry. After that, there is a gentle descent to the trailhead with a crossing of old New England stone fences. Great for the furry family - just be aware that the climb leaving the shore has slippery granite rocks that may make it lead easy for small dogs. Overall a delightful hike.

The Kidder Brook Trail is a 1.2 mile one-way or a 2.4 mile round trip through some pristine water…read morescenery. It is both, one of the most popular and also one of the most beautiful trails in the New London area. The trail is managed by the New London Conservation Commission. From the parking area at the bridge on Twin Lake Villa Road, it crosses a stone bridge and ascends 230 feet along Kidder Brook with amazing views of the flowing brook, rushing water, water falls, and views, culminating in a beautiful lake. A camera, either a stand alone or a smartphone, is a must have to capture this trail. Numerous brook scenes with flowing water, gorgeous mature pine forest scenes, and granite formations are part of the trail. This trail also crosses several other trails including the Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge Greenway, a magnificent, multi day trail. It also crosses and can join with the Morgan Pond Trail A must see in the area.

As one of our (currently) 433 National Park sites, this one tells the story about why we have…read moreconservation and the story behind the families who have contributed to our conservation efforts. Located just on the edge of town, this park is huge and I would have loved to hike in the back country. Unfortunately we arrived late in the day and only had enough time for a mansion tour and to take a short hike on the 'Jr Ranger Loop'. The house itself is beautiful and I highly recommend stopping in for a tour. Loved chatting with the rangers here.

Last weekend, my wife and I were thrilled to discover that Vermont is home to its very own National…read morePark and it's located right here in Woodstock! As longtime supporters of National Parks, we couldn't wait to experience it for ourselves. Entry to the park is free, though ranger-led tours of the mansion run about $9 per adult. The park's history is absolutely fascinating. It preserves the boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh, a pioneering environmental thinker whose book Man and Nature laid the foundation for conservation in the U.S. Another interesting fact: the park includes the oldest continuously managed scientific forest in the country, originally reforested by Frederick Billings as a model of sustainable forestry. We opted for a ranger-led mansion tour (worth every penny), which brought the estate's legacy of stewardship to life through beautifully preserved furnishings, art, and stories of the Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller families. After the tour, our ranger highly recommended a scenic trail hike. It was an easy, peaceful walk that led us to a lovely lake loop - perfect for stretching our legs and soaking in nature. The trail meandered beneath shady trees and felt like a serene escape from the world. All in all, if you're curious about conservation history or just looking for a peaceful, enriching outing in woodland surroundings, this park is a gem. The blend of free admission, affordable ranger tours, compelling legacy, and gentle trails make it a memorable and meaningful stop in Woodstock.