Tubing, Canoeing, Kayaking and Swimming in MWV

Summer on the water in Mt Washington Valley!

The Saco River in North Conway. Wiseguy Creative photo

Mt. Washington Valley is filled with cascading mountain streams, gravel-bottomed rivers and serene lakes. They are the perfect places for cooling off on a hot summer day with activities like swimming, river tubing, canoeing, kayaking, waterfall wading, fishing and boating. Here's where to go to try each!

Take note: these are natural areas with fluctuating conditions. Swim at your own risk. Always respect others and your surroundings.

‍

Echo Lake State Park

From North Conway, turn west on River Road, then left onto Old West Side Road and follow signs to Echo Lake State Park. The lake is set directly at the base of White Horse Ledge with dramatic views of this well-known cliff. It’s one of the few places in Mt Washington Valley where you’ll find a sandy beach. There are also picnic areas, restrooms and changing rooms. You can access hiking trails from here, too.

Pets are welcome on the Cathedral and White Horse Trails that surround Echo Lake State Park, but during the months of May 1st through October 31st, pets are are not allowed at Echo Lake.

Admission to the park is $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free.

*Echo Lake State Park in North Conway. Wiseguy Creative photo*

‍

‍Saco River

You don’t have to go far from North Conway to find a great spot for a dip! Just north of North Conway Village is River Road which travels over First Bridge. Flowing beneath the bridge is the Saco River, and adjacent to it are fields perfect for a picnic, sunbathing or a game of Frisbee. Many people like to bring rafts or tubes and float in the River here as it meanders slowly. This is also a popular place to put-in a canoe or kayak.

Further downstream off of West Side Road in Conway is Davis Park, another popular swimming spot. Swim in crystal clear water in the shadow of the Saco Covered Bridge with nearby tennis and basketball courts.

Parking at these Town of Conway Recreation Areas is $20.00 per car in season. A parking attendant will collect your fee and direct you. Don’t risk parking on the side of the road, as you may be towed or ticketed. (Conway residents are exempt from this parking fee, as long as they prove residency by displaying a pass on their windshield, which can be picked up at Conway Town Hall.)

Kayaking on the Saco River, North Conway

The Saco River in North Conway is a favorite spot for tubing, paddling and swimming. Wiseguy Creative photo.

Want to tube or paddle the Saco River? One of the best options for a hassle free excursion is going through Saco Canoe and Kayak Rental. They offer canoe, kayak and tube rentals, plus shuttles to get you in-and-out of the river. They can also help you plan your float so you don't bite off more than you can chew. One of the most common errors is underestimating the length of the river; what some people think will be a 2-hour float ends up being an all day event! Get oriented with the river using their new interactive Saco River map.

Jackson Falls on the Wildcat River

From Route 16A in Jackson, turn on to Carter Notch Road and follow the falls up to a picnic area at the side of the road. Climb out on to the rocks and sit in any number of small pools created by the falls. On a hot summer day, the gently flowing water will fall over your shoulders for the perfect water massage. Well-behaved pets are welcome to play in the falls as well.

Jackson Falls has a dirt parking lot overlooking the falls. There is no charge for parking, but all parking spots are limited to two-hour time limits. If you exceed this time-limit, you can be ticketed a $50.00 fine. The town of Jackson monitors the Jackson Falls parking lot closely. You’ll also notice that there are three spots reserved for full-time Jackson residents, and are not available to visitors.

Please also be mindful to not park in the lots owned by Eagle Mountain House and The Wentworth Inn, two properties that sit at the top and bottom of Carter Notch Road. Those lots are reserved for guests of the hotels, only.

Lower Falls on the Swift River

From Route 16 in Conway, head west on the Kancamagus Highway. Seven miles from Conway you’ll come to one of the best swimming spots in the Valley: Lower Falls. Fed by a series of beautiful cascades, the large, gravel-bottomed pool is cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. Expect to see plenty of other swimmers in peak season.

Be aware, this is a natural area and conditions can vary. Rain can make rocks slippery and bring up waters rapidly to levels that are unsafe for wading or swimming, resulting in injury or drowning.

Lower Falls on the Swift River. Visit MWV / Chris Proulx photo

The parking lot for Lower Falls, as other recreation sites on the Kancamagus Highway, is maintained by the US Forest Service via the Saco Ranger District. A $5.00 parking fee per day is required via a self-serve kiosk. The pass covers you for all lots on the White Mountain National Forest for that day. If you plan on recreating regularly in the WMNF, consider purchasing a year-round Recreation Pass for $30.00 for one vehicle, or $40.00 for two vehicles. The WMNF uses this money to support and enhance public safety, recreation site maintenance and improvements, educational experiences, informational wayside exhibits, youth programs and partnerships, and interpretive programs. Current and future generations benefit as 80-95% of the funds are reinvested in the facilities and services that visitors enjoy, use, and value.

Conway Lake (Conway, NH) and Silver Lake (Madison, NH)

These two large lakes are beautiful settings for swimming, fishing and wildlife watching. The town of Conway manages a public beach and boat launch for Conway Lake. There are three public beaches for swimming on Silver Lake. Public boating is allowed on Silver Lake with a special permit from the town of Madison. All boats are inspected for invasive plants prior to being allowed in either lake.

For a turnkey day on the water, you can hire Fish Nerds Guide Service. They offer guided pontoon boat excursions on both lakes. Fish for trout, salmon, bass and other local species, go lake tubing, swimming, or simply tour these beautiful water bodies and enjoy the mountain views.

Sunset on Conway Lake, NH. Visit MWV / Chris Proulx photo

Chocorua Lake

From Conway, head south on Route 16 about 10 miles. Chocorua Lake is on the right. Not only will you find the opportunity for a cool dip, but with Mt. Chocorua at the apex of this lake, the scenery is beautiful. There are two sandy beaches on the east side of the lake. One is open to the public and the other is reserved for town residents.

Parking is open to visitors at at the public beach, free of charge. Although we do encourage visitors who make use of this parking lot and the lake to donate to the Chocorua Lake Conservancy, which maintains public access through conservation and repairs. Those who park in the resident parking lot without proper identification will be ticketed a $50.00 fine.

Chocorua Lake is dog-friendly, and dogs are required to be leashed at all times. Canoes and kayaks can be launched from the Grove or Island areas. Motorized boats are not welcome on Chocorua Lake, and boat trailers are not permitted to be backed into Chocorua Lake because of the risk of milfoil transmission.

Chocorua Lake as seen from a distance, Mt Chocorua rising in the background. Visit MWV / Chris Proulx photo.

Weston’s Beach

From Main Street in Fryeburg, Maine, go north on 113 / River Street for about 3/4 miles to Weston’s Farm Stand. Across the street, you’ll find a wonderful sandy beach on a curve in the Saco River. Again, this is a popular place for canoers and kayakers to put in, and the parking here makes access easy. The river is shallow enough here for the younger set too.

Parking is free at Weston’s Beach, but fills up quickly.

On your way out from the beach, make sure you stop at Weston’s Farm Stand to pick up freshly picked veggies, and locally raised meat for a BBQ with the family back at your rental. Weston’s Farm Stand also has a gift shop for New England themed gifts.

‍Weston's Beach on the Saco River, Fryeburg, Maine. Visit MWV / Chris Proulx photo

White Lake State Park

This state park, located on the southern end of the Mt. Washington Valley, in Tamworth, NH, is an example of a typical glacial lake! Created by a depression made from glacial debris during the Ice Age, White Lake gradually filled with water. Now-a-days the park offers some of the best swimming in the area, as well as a day-use area, group areas, and a campground with family campsites as well as youth group sites.

Admission to the park is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under and NH residents age 65 and over are admitted free. Parking reservations are strongly recommended, as spaces go quickly, and once the beach area reaches capacity additional beach goers cannot be admitted. Lifeguards on duty are intermittent at the park, and not promised on a regular schedule. Swim at your own risk.