Belknap: Lakescapes, Nature and Experiences

Belknap is located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and combines distinctive lakescapes with nature experiences, culture and seasonal activities. Belknap County encompasses a large part of Lake Winnipesaukee, all of Lake Winnisquam and numerous smaller lakes, which cover nearly one-sixth of the county’s area. This gives the region a range of reasons to visit: you can explore waterfront landscapes, visit historic sites, go hiking, discover regional products or, depending on the season, take part in sporting activities.

Lakes, Waterfronts and Protected Landscapes

Ahern State Park covers 128 acres and has 3,500 feet of shoreline on Lake Winnisquam. One specific rule is important when planning with pets: pets are allowed only on the trails in the park, not on the beach. Ellacoya State Park is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. From there, you can enjoy views across the lake toward the Sandwich Mountains and the Ossipee Mountains.

Prescott Farm in Laconia also combines landscape and discovery. The grounds cover 160 acres and include more than three miles of nature trails. Mount Major is located in the nearby Mount Major State Forest in Belknap County. The mountain reaches 1,780 feet (540 m) above sea level; its summit offers one of the best views in southern New Hampshire for the effort required to reach it. Mount Major is also part of a 300-acre conservation area protected from development.

Hiking, Water and Activities Throughout the Seasons

Those looking to make an active focus of their stay will find several clearly distinct options. The Belknap Range Trail runs from Gunstock Mountain Resort to the parking lot at Mt. Major. Gunstock also has marked hiking trails, including a 2.8-mile section of the Ridge Trail to the summit of Gunstock. In the nearby area, the Blue Trail runs from the upper parking lot on Carriage Rd. to the summit of Belknap Mountain.

There are also various experiences to choose from on the water. Weirs Beach offers an opportunity to launch canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Guided sightseeing cruises depart daily from Weirs Beach in the nearby area. Mount Washington Cruises offers such cruises aboard the historic M/S Mount Washington. The US Mailboat Sophie C. combines an island cruise with delivering mail to islands on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Gunstock Mountain Resort is not limited to one season. In winter, it offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and skijoring across 227 acres with 49 trails. In summer, the Adventure Park includes zipline tours, treetop ropes courses, a mountain coaster and scenic chairlift rides. Prescott Farm’s Adventure Packs are designed for visitors of all ages and experience levels and can be used alone, by two people or in a group.

Culture, Crafts and Regional Specialties

In Laconia, Belknap Mill is a museum of industrial heritage and an educational center. Visitors can see the Belknap Mill art gallery and permanent exhibition or walk along the Laconia Riverwalk. The restored building, which has remained virtually unchanged, is listed in the National Register of Historic Landmarks and is considered the oldest structure of its kind in the United States. The historic site of Endicott Rock preserves inscriptions made on August 1, 1652.

Those interested in design and crafts can visit the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery. It showcases high-quality traditional and contemporary crafts by members juried by the League of NH Craftsmen; demonstrations and classes in fine crafts are also held there. BankNH Pavilion, a concert venue, is located in Gilford.

Belknap’s regional character also includes markets and food. BAMM farmers’ markets in Tilton, Barnstead and Laconia and at Weirs Beach offer regional produce, meat, baked goods and crafts and take place from May through October. At Prescott Farm, the “Tap Into Maple” program provides a hands-on experience of making maple syrup, from tapping the trees through tasting.

Choosing the Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Belknap, it is worth deciding on the main focus of your stay first. For hiking and mountain days, the trails mentioned above and Gunstock are important reference points; for water-based experiences, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam and Weirs Beach are central. Those interested in culture can include Laconia, Meredith and Gilford in their plans. Since the region also combines seasonal activities, markets and nature experiences, you can choose accommodation suited to your planned activities and preferred daily schedule.

For further orientation, you can also view the pages on Tilton, Gilford, Meredith, Laconia, New Hampton, Winnisquam, Sanbornton and Belmont.

For the broader travel overview: New Hampshire.