Best Lakeside Activities and Attractions in New England: Fishing, Sunsets & More
From paddling and fishing to scenic stops and secluded beaches, here are a dozen of the best lakeside activities and attractions in New England.
By Steve Jermanok|Jul 15 2025|
Crystalline waters cradled between Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah give Vermont’s Lake Willoughby a beauty all its own.
Credit: Bob O’Connor12 Best Lakeside Activities and Attractions in New England
Bird-Watching:
Rangeley Lakes Region, Maine
Take any trail in the Rangeley Lakes Region in central Maine, and you have a shot at both hearing and seeing a loon, spying a boreal chickadee flittering through the dense woods, and maybe even catching a glimpse of the elusive Bicknell’s thrush. Bonus: the opportunity to breathe in some bracing piney air … and possibly spot a moose.
Camping:
Tully Lake Campground, Royalston, MA
Run by The Trustees in central Massachusetts, Tully is a tranquil lake with little or no motorized boat traffic and tent-only campsites. Bring a kayak to paddle to the sandy isles along the sinuous Tully River. Then hike over to Doane’s Falls, where Lawrence Brook tumbles over a series of ledges before it reaches Tully Lake.
Clearest Water:
Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH
Maybe it’s the natural springs that replenish the crystal-clear water. Or the prime location in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, surrounded by forest with no commercial development. Whatever the reason, 6-mile-long Newfound has garnered a reputation as having some of the cleanest lake water in America. Go for a dip and see for yourself.
Dog-Friendly Spot:
Waterfront Park, Burlington, VT
For dog owners, Waterfront Park checks all the boxes, including a long stretch of field nestled between a bike trail and the shores of Lake Champlain, a fenced-in dog park, and outdoor seating at nearby Foam Brewers where you can sip a refreshing IPA while your pup rests.
Driftwood:
Moosehead Lake, Greenville, ME
After winter storms with howling winds have finished blowing through the woodsy shoreline of Moosehead Lake, the only question is where to best find the fallen timber on this vast body of water, Maine’s largest. Mount Kineo State Park at the base of ominous cliffs is a good place to start.
Kid-Friendly Lake:
Damariscotta Lake State Park, Jefferson, ME
Located a stone’s throw from the coast but offering far warmer water, a 4,600-acre natural lake is the namesake and crowning jewel of this state park. Shallow waters and summer lifeguards help create an ideal playground for kiddos, while the sandy beach is backed by picnic tables, grills, and a bathhouse with changing stations. Keep the sweet times rolling with a visit to the nearby Jefferson Scoop, which serves Maine-made Gifford’s ice cream.
Movie Magic:
Squam Lake, Holderness, NH
The photogenic body of water known as Squam Lake hasn’t changed much since 1980, when the loons welcomed Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn to these serene shores to film the movie On Golden Pond. Fonda would go on to win the Academy Award for what would be his final big-screen role.
Credit: Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography
Paddling:
Umbagog Lake, Errol, NH & Upton, ME
The centerpiece of a national wildlife refuge, Umbagog is an immense lake whose shores lie half in New Hampshire, half in Maine. If you put in from the New Hampshire side on the Magalloway River, you’ll follow great blue herons and loons into a channel that leads into Umbagog. Head straight for the islands that dot the western shoreline and you might very well find a pair of nesting bald eagles atop a dead tree.
Scenic Stop:
Lake Willoughby, Westmore, VT
Do yourself a favor and first hike Mount Pisgah, stepping out onto Pulpit Rock to peer across at the sheer cliffs of Mount Hor and then down at the glacially carved basin of dark blue water in between, Lake Willoughby. Afterward, reward yourself with a dip in the refreshing lake as you drink in one of the most dramatic sights in the Northeast Kingdom.
Secluded Lake:
Lonesome Lake, Franconia, NH
Earn the right to swim in aptly named Lonesome Lake by first hiking on a moderate trail 1.6 miles from the south parking lot of Lafayette Place Campground in Franconia Notch State Park. Upon arriving at the lake, savor the surrounding vista of White Mountain ridges, so seductive that you may be tempted to return and spend the night at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Lonesome Lake Hut.
Sunsets:
Lake Waramaug State Park, Kent, New Preston & Warren, CT
Tucked into rural northwestern Connecticut, near the New York border, Lake Waramaug State Park is a mere 95 acres yet home to the state’s second-largest body of fresh water. While there’s plenty to do here for the action-oriented—swimming, cycling, paddling—the true shareable moment comes at the end of the day, when the sun’s rays shimmer on the water and quietude abounds. Make it a picnic outing with a to-go meal from nearby favorites The Smithy Market, The Owl Wine & Food Bar, or The Hopkins Inn.
Trout/Bass Fishing:
Grand Isle State Park, Grand Isle, VT
If you want to fly-fish for the elusive trout, it’s hard to top Vermont’s rivers—think the Battenkill, the Mettawee, and the White. Yet if we had to choose a lakeside locale, Grand Isle State Park on the northern tier of Lake Champlain would be high on the list. Here, you’ll find rainbow and brown trout, along with a good chance to hook northern pike and both small- and largemouth bass.
This feature was originally published as “Liquid Assets” in the July/August 2025 issue of Yankee.
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