Echo Lake State Park

A 15.7-acre lake at the foot of White Horse Ledge, with Cathedral Ledge rising just to the north and a small sand beach at the state park's day-use area. It is a short, scenic swim rather than a distance venue, and there are no lifeguards, so bring a partner. Parking is limited on fine weekends; reserve a day-use spot online up to 30 days ahead.

Directions

Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada · CC BY 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 84/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 18°C, wind 10 km/h, UV 1. Updated 23 Sept, 20:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: State park at 68 Echo Lake Road, North Conway. Day-use fee: $4 adults (12+), $2 ages 6–11, free for 5 and under and 65+; pay at the self-serve Iron Ranger when unstaffed.
Parking & transport: Limited; day-use reservations up to 30 days ahead are recommended, especially on nice weekends and holidays, with some walk-in spaces first come, first served.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards on duty; swim at your own risk.
Water quality: Beach advisories are posted by NH Department of Environmental Services, which tests freshwater beaches for E. coli (advisory if one sample exceeds 158 or two exceed 88 per 100 mL) and issues cyanobacteria watches and warnings on its Healthy Swimming Mapper.
Season: Beach opened weekends from May 2 and full-time from May 9 in 2026, becoming unstaffed October 31. Pets are not allowed at Echo Lake May 1 to October 31.
Watch for: Unguarded swimming
Non-motorized boats share the lake
Facilities: Sand swimming beach · Picnic area and group pavilion · One-mile trail around the lake · Trails to Cathedral Ledge