Lake Sunapee on the Water: Cruises, Kayaks and Beaches

Lake Sunapee is the quieter, cooler cousin of the big Lakes Region lakes. It sits in western New Hampshire in the Dartmouth-Sunapee region, ringed by small towns, wooded shoreline and a mountain that rises right off its southern end. In high summer it fills with sailboats, paddlers and swimmers, but it rarely feels crowded the way the busiest stretches of Lake Winnipesaukee can. This guide covers the Lake Sunapee things to do that make sense every summer: getting out on the water by boat or paddle, finding a beach, seeing the lighthouses, and building a day around Sunapee Harbor, with a few local businesses from our directory to plan around.

Lake Sunapee at a glance

Lake Sunapee lies in Sullivan and Merrimack counties and is the fifth-largest lake located entirely within New Hampshire. It runs roughly 8.1 miles north to south and from half a mile to about 2.5 miles across, covering about 6.5 square miles. The deepest point is around 105 feet, and the surface sits about 1,093 feet above sea level, which helps explain why evenings on the lake often feel a touch cooler than the valleys below.

What gives the lake its character is the shoreline. Peninsulas and long fingers of water push in and out, and the result is roughly 70 miles of shoreline packed into a lake you can drive around in about 25 miles. There are eleven islands, including Loon Island, Great Island and the Isle of Pines, and three lighthouses that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The name has a story too. Native Americans called the lake Soo-Nipi, often translated as "Wild Goose Waters," for the geese that passed over during migration. Viewed from above, or from the slopes of Mount Sunapee on a clear day, the lake is said to resemble a goose in flight, with Sunapee Harbor as the head.

Sunapee Harbor: the natural starting point

If you only have one day, start at Sunapee Harbor in the town of Sunapee. The harbor is the lake's outlet and the head of the Sugar River, which flows west through Newport and Claremont to the Connecticut River. It is also the closest thing the lake has to a village waterfront: public docks, a small park, places to eat, and the departure point for scenic cruises.

The harbor makes a good base because so much is within a short walk. You can watch boats come and go from the docks, take a cruise in the afternoon, and finish with dinner or a drink nearby. Parking fills up on warm weekends, so arriving earlier in the day is the easy way to avoid circling.

Cruising the lake

For first-time visitors, the simplest way to understand Lake Sunapee is to let someone else drive. Lake Sunapee Cruises, operated as Sunapee Cruises, runs a narrated scenic tour aboard the M.V. Mt. Sunapee II from the public docks at Sunapee Harbor. The tour lasts about an hour and a half, and the captain narrates the history, landmarks and lore of the lake as you go. The boat has an open-air top deck and a fully enclosed lower deck, so it works in most weather.

Along the way you get a view that is hard to find from shore: the lake's historic lighthouses, the summer homes along the shoreline, and the mountains that frame the water, including Kearsarge and Sunapee. On a clear day the operator notes you can see as far as Mount Ascutney in Vermont. The company also runs a larger boat, the M.V. Sunapee Lake Queen, for dinner cruises and private events. Check the operator's site for the current schedule and tickets before you go, since sailings are seasonal and can be moved or cancelled for weather.

A cruise is a particularly good choice for families with mixed ages, for grandparents who want the view without the paddling, and for anyone who wants to get their bearings before exploring on their own.

Swimming: Mount Sunapee State Park beach

The best-known public swimming spot on the lake is the beach area at Mount Sunapee State Park in Newbury, at the lake's southern end. The park covers nearly 3,000 acres, taking in most of Mount Sunapee itself plus the beach on Lake Sunapee. Activities in the park include swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking and non-motorized boating, which makes it a good all-day stop.

The lake has seven sandy beach areas in total, but several have restricted town access, so the state park beach is the one most visitors will use. On hot summer weekends it is worth arriving early, packing a picnic, and planning for some shade. Families with small children usually find the shallow water near shore the easiest place to start.

Paddling: kayaks, canoes and paddleboards

Lake Sunapee's long, indented shoreline is made for paddling. Coves and peninsulas give you sheltered water to explore, and the islands offer natural destinations for a short trip. The state park permits non-motorized boating, and there are boat access points around the lake at Sunapee Harbor, Georges Mills, Newbury, the state park and Burkehaven Marina.

A few practical tips for paddlers:

• Go early or late. Morning and early evening usually bring calmer water and fewer motorboats.
• Watch the wind. Even on a modest lake, a breeze funneling down the length of the water can build chop quickly, especially in the open middle.
• Wear a life jacket and carry water, sun protection and a phone in a dry bag.
• Stay near shore if you are new to paddling, and give larger boats plenty of room near the harbor and marinas.

If you are bringing your own kayak or paddleboard, the state park is the simplest place to launch for a relaxed paddle along the southern shoreline.

The lighthouses

Few inland lakes in New England have working lighthouses, and Lake Sunapee has three, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are part of what makes a cruise here different from one on other New Hampshire lakes, and they are a fun target for a long paddle or a boat outing. Bring binoculars, and remember that the lighthouses sit on islands or private land, so enjoy them from the water.

Hiking above the lake: Mount Sunapee

The best view of the lake comes from above it. Mount Sunapee is a five-mile-long ridge in Newbury and Goshen, with its highest point at 2,726 feet on the north end. The summit area sits within Mount Sunapee State Park, and the mountain extends south to Pillsbury State Park. Secondary peaks include White Ledges, North Peak and South Peak.

The north end of the mountain is also home to Mount Sunapee Resort, the park's ski area, which is operated under the management of Vail Resorts. It is best known as a winter destination, but the mountain is worth knowing about in summer too: hikers use the trails to reach the summit and ledges that look out over the lake. Check the resort's own site for any summer operations before planning around them, as offerings can change from year to year.

Whatever route you choose, bring more water than you think you will need, start early on hot days, and check the forecast before heading up.

After the water: food, drink and an evening out

A day on the lake usually ends near the harbor. Sunapee Harbor Brewing, listed in our directory under that name, is the Sunapee tasting room of Hoptimystic Brewing on River Road in Sunapee. The brewery also has locations in Enfield and Bow, and serves food alongside its beer. Check its site for current hours, which vary by day and season.

For something different, head west to Newport, the county seat of Sullivan County, where the Sugar River leads from the lake. The Newport Opera House on Main Street was built in 1886 and was billed in its day as having the largest stage in New England north of Boston. It still hosts performances and community events, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Pairing a lake day with a show is an easy way to stretch a trip into the evening.

Planning tips for a Lake Sunapee summer trip

• Pick a base. Sunapee Harbor is the most convenient for cruises and dining; Newbury puts you close to the state park beach and the mountain; New London and Georges Mills sit toward the north end of the lake.
• Plan around weather. Summer storms build quickly in the afternoon. A morning paddle and an afternoon cruise is a good balance.
• Bring cash and a card. Small seasonal businesses vary in what they accept.
• Respect private shoreline. Much of the lake's edge is private property. Stick to public beaches, launches and docks.
• Drive the loop. The road around the lake is about 25 miles, with many stretches of water views, and makes a pleasant late-day drive.

Why Lake Sunapee works for a summer day

Lake Sunapee rewards people who like their lake days a little slower. You can cruise past lighthouses in the afternoon, swim at a state park beach in the morning, paddle quiet coves, and still be back at the harbor in time for dinner. Because it sits away from the busiest highways, it also feels less hurried than some better-known New Hampshire lakes, even in July.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Lake Sunapee?

About 8.1 miles long and up to 2.5 miles wide, covering about 6.5 square miles, with roughly 70 miles of shoreline.

Is there a public beach on Lake Sunapee?

Yes. Mount Sunapee State Park in Newbury includes a beach area on the lake. Other beaches exist, but some have restricted town access.

Can you take a boat tour on Lake Sunapee?

Yes. Sunapee Cruises runs a narrated scenic tour of about an hour and a half aboard the M.V. Mt. Sunapee II from the public docks at Sunapee Harbor. Check their site for current dates and times.

Does Lake Sunapee have lighthouses?

Yes, three, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where can I kayak on Lake Sunapee?

Mount Sunapee State Park permits non-motorized boating, and there are public access points at Sunapee Harbor, Georges Mills and Newbury.

Sources

• Lake Sunapee, Wikipedia (size, depth, shoreline, islands, lighthouses, beaches, access points, Soo-Nipi name, Sugar River): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Sunapee
• Mount Sunapee, Wikipedia (ridge length, summit elevation, peaks, Pillsbury State Park): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sunapee
• Mount Sunapee State Park, Wikipedia (acreage, activities, ski area management): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sunapee_State_Park
• Sunapee Cruises, Scenic Lake Tour (M.V. Mt. Sunapee II, duration, narration, decks, departure point): https://sunapeecruises.com/scenic-tours/
• Sunapee Cruises, Our Fleet (M.V. Sunapee Lake Queen): https://sunapeecruises.com/our-fleet/
• Hoptimystic Brewing official site (Sunapee tasting room, River Road, other locations): https://www.hoptimysticbrewing.com
• Newport Opera House, Wikipedia (1886, stage claim, National Register): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Opera_House
• Sunapee, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunapee,_New_Hampshire