Beaches and Swimming Near Enfield Shaker Museum

A short drive from the Great Stone Dwelling will take the visitor to some of those “unexpected discoveries” that make the Upper Valley a fun place to visit during the summer months.

Shakoma Beach, Enfield’s town beach, is 1.0 (2 minutes) miles from the Great Stone Dwelling, on Mascoma Lake by the Shaker Bridge on Rt. 4A. Free Parking is located just off Rt. 4A, opposite the beach. A parking permit is required. Guest passes are available at the Enfield Town office at 23 Main Street (M, W, Th, F 8:30 -3:30, Tuesday 11:00-7:00).

Canaan Street Beach, is 9 miles (16 minutes) from the Museum on Canaan Street, Canaan, NH. (next to the Historical Museum). A small sand and gravel beach with a lifeguard in the summer months; bathrooms and changing rooms. Boat launch area for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats. Free admission and parking.

Storrs Pond Recreation Area, is 12.6 miles (23 minutes) from the Museum at 59 Oak Hill Drive, Hanover, NH. Visitors will find Storrs Pond-a 13-acre pond with two sandy swimming beaches, and a heated pool with lifeguard. Canoes, paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats available for rent. Storrs Pond is loaded with rainbow trout and other fish. A fishing license is not required if you fish from the shoreline. There are 20 km of trails in Oak Hill with moderate slope, well marked and maintained with maps at trail junctions, and open for mountain biking. Also, there are hiking trails to accommodate all ages and abilities. Plus, 4 hard-surface tennis courts, a disc golf course, and 4 covered pavilions for rent. Modest daily admission charge for ages 3+.

Mount Sunapee State Park is 24.1 miles (37 minutes) from the Museum at 86 Beach Access Road, Newbury, NH. The long and wide sandy beach at Lake Sunapee is an ideal spot for family and group outings. There is a lifeguard. Sunapee’s clear water lends itself to snorkeling and diving. There are picnic tables and a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent. The park is well-known for boating and fishing, as well as hiking and mountain biking. A public boat launch is available. Modest daily admission charge for ages 6+. Due to the popularity of the State Park’s beach area on weekends and holidays, reservations are mandatory. Watch a video about the Park.

Wadleigh State Park is 33.7 miles (34 minutes) from the Museum at 78 Wadleigh State Park Road, Sutton, NH. Wadleigh State Park is located on the shore of beautiful Kezar Lake, with a smooth sandy beach and crystal clear water. Boats are available for rent. Visitors can paddle out to a small island, with abundant wild blueberries; or they may hike the three-mile loop around the lake, with stunning views of nearby Mount Kearsarge. There is a bathhouse, picnic tables, and a baseball field. Pavilions are available for rent. A boat ramp is located near the park entrance; no motorized boats allowed. Modest daily admission charge for ages 6+. Reservations are very strongly advised. Watch a video about the Park.

Twenty Foot Hole, is 40.2 miles (44 minutes) from the Museum on Tyson Road in Reading, VT. Twenty Foot Hole offers some of the finest waterfall swimming holes in all of Vermont. Over a stretch of 0.2 mile of the Black River, the stream flows through narrow bedrock ravines, broadens out into a deep pool, then narrows again. Each of the three pools is an exceptional swimming and wading area, making it a great place for young and old, whether looking for a place to splash, wade, or full-on swim. No lifeguards. Free admission and parking.