Top 7 Lakes around Keene

Beyond the well-known Spofford Lake and Goose Pond, visitors also enjoy Otter Brook Lake for its year-round activities and Surry Mountain Lake, known for its sandy beach and scenic views. Dublin Lake is also a favorite for its deep, clear waters and unique local legend.

For swimming, Spofford Lake offers crystal-clear waters and a public beach at Wares Grove. Surry Mountain Lake features a 600-foot sandy beach with free admission. Goose Pond also has a forest clearing and concrete dock suitable for swimming. Dublin Lake is another popular spot for its clear waters.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Spofford Lake is a popular family destination with amenities like picnic tables, a snack bar, and restrooms at Wares Grove Beach. Surry Mountain Lake offers a sandy beach, picnic areas, and facilities for horseshoes and volleyball. Goose Pond in Goose Pond Forest has a kid-friendly trail and is suitable for picnicking and swimming.

The lakes around Keene offer diverse activities. You can enjoy swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing at lakes like Spofford and Dublin. Otter Brook Lake is excellent for walking, hiking, biking, and disc golf. For more structured routes, explore the cycling routes around Keene or the running trails, many of which pass by or near these beautiful bodies of water.

Absolutely. The Greater Goose Pond Forest, surrounding Goose Pond, offers a 2-mile kid- and dog-friendly trail that connects to 31 miles of trails in the Drummer Hill Conservation Area. Pierce Island on Spofford Lake also has hiking trails. For more options, check out the running and hiking guides for the Keene area, which include trails like the Goose Pond Trail and Lily Pond Trail.

Spofford Lake is excellent for kayaking, paddleboarding, and power boating, with a public boat ramp available. Otter Brook Lake is a no-wake zone, ideal for kayaks, canoes, and rowboats, also featuring a boat ramp. Dublin Lake is also popular for boating due to its significant depth.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Spofford Lake is stocked with smallmouth and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and Northern pike. Otter Brook Lake and its surrounding areas are stocked with brook and rainbow trout, and also support chain pickerel, yellow perch, and bass. Dublin Lake is a coldwater fishery with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brook trout, and brown bullhead.

The 2-mile trail around Goose Pond in the Greater Goose Pond Forest is known to be kid- and dog-friendly, offering a great option for walking your canine companion.

Amenities vary by lake. Spofford Lake's Wares Grove Beach has picnic tables, a snack bar, and restrooms. Otter Brook Lake offers picnic areas with tables and grills, a boat ramp, and sanitary facilities. Surry Mountain Lake provides a sandy beach, picnic tables with grills, a boat ramp, changing rooms, and bathrooms.

The lakes are beautiful year-round. Summer is ideal for swimming, boating, and picnicking. Fall offers stunning foliage views, particularly around Lily Pond and Spofford Lake. In winter, lakes like Spofford and Otter Brook are popular for ice skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

While not as widely known as the larger lakes, Swanzey Lake, Stone Pond (Marlborough), Ashuelot Pond, and Silver Lake are other nearby bodies of water that offer various recreational opportunities like fishing and kayaking, providing a quieter experience away from the more popular spots.

Yes, many lakes offer winter activities. Spofford Lake is popular for ice skating and ice fishing. Otter Brook Lake is a great spot for cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. The trails around Goose Pond are also used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and even fatbiking.