This article focuses on Echo Lake State Park and Echo Lake. One Echo Lake lies in its own State Park in East Central New Hampshire. This park and lake are near North Conway, New Hampshire. The other is Echo Lake and Echo Lake Beach in Franconia Notch State Park in Central New Hampshire.
There are some facts to consider when visiting the Echo Lake State Park. It is day use only, and no camping. The park is open year-round. Guides are for hire year-round for mountain bikers, hikers, ice climbers, and rock climbers. Some of the trails require experience and are rated as strenuous. Lodges, hotels, motels, resorts, and the Crawford Notch Campground are within easy driving distance to the park.
Is Echo Lake Man Made?
Echo Lake in Echo Lake State Park is gorgeous to visit and explore in the ranges of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Echo Lake is a glacial lake that formed thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age, which is common near the Canadian border. Glaciers carved out their basins in the earth that filled with water as the glaciers melted.
What Is Echo Lake Known For?
Hiking and Rock Climbing: Panoramic views of Echo Lake, the Saco River Valley, and the White Mountains greet hikers and rock climbers on the trails to and at Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge. These ledges possess challenging vertical faces. There are trails rated easy and moderate for those who want less of a workout.
Swimming and Boating: You can take or rent a non-motorized boat, like a canoe or kayak, to Echo Lake. A fine sandy beach meets the waters of Echo Lake, a summer refresher. Summer water temperatures typically range between 65°F and 75°F, so even in the heat of July, some swimmers may find it a chilly dip. Take advantage of the picnic areas with family and friends.
Spectacular Views: The top of Cathedral Ledge treats visitors to stunning views, and especially at sunset. Visitors can access Cathedral Ledge by trail or take the road in a vehicle to the summit. The White Horse Ledge Trail overlooks Echo Lake, the North Conway village, and the surrounding valley.
Rock Climbing: From beginning to experienced climbers, Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge offers pitches for all levels with its face climbs, cracks, and slabs. Experienced rock climbing guides offer various packages for different levels of experience, plus the routes are broken up into different areas. Some of the routes were put up by old timers in the 1960s and ‘70s.
Fall Foliage: The forests in Echo Lake State Park explode with vivid colors which are mirrored in Echo Lake’s calm waters.
Is Echo Lake Safe to Swim In?
Echo Lake State Park visitors should make reservations, especially on holidays and beautiful weekends because parking is limited. Park goers can make reservations up to 30 days in advance. The park offers walk-in spaces on a first come, first serve basis.
Echo Lake is safe to swim in. Park officials issue beach advisories in case of any dangers or hazards. It is a chilly glacial lake with water temperatures ranging from 65° F to 75° F in the summer season. There are picnic tables spread around the beach area.
The NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDEC) Beach Inspection Program monitors public beaches for the presence of fecal bacteria from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A beach advisory is issued when a water sample contains fecal bacteria levels that exceed the state standard, indicating unhealthy swimming conditions.
Is Echo Lake, NH Clean?
At Echo Lake State Park Beach, out of every 100 samples the NHDEC collects, 96 are expected to be good. Compared to five popular state park beaches, the Echo Lake State Park beach is more likely to have clean samples.
Is Echo Lake NH Dog Friendly?
Pets are not allowed in Echo Lake between May 1 and October 31. The state park permits pets throughout the back trails in the Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge areas only.
From the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation:
- All animals must be on a standard or retractable leash not greater than 6 feet in length.
- Animal owners shall clean up any waste eliminated by their animals and place it in a trash can or remove it off-site.
- Animals must not be left unattended at any time, including at campsite, or in a vehicle or camper.
- Service Animals are permitted, in accordance with the ADA.
How Deep Is Echo Lake, NH?
Echo Lake has a maximum depth of 28 feet, a mean depth of about seven feet, covers about 15 acres, and is part of the Saco River Watershed.
What Fish Are In Echo Lake, NH?
Echo Lake is a warm water fishery. The New Hampshire Fish & Game stocks Echo Lake with lake trout. It is open for year-round catch-and-release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Other fish in the lake include catfish, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed sunfish, rainbow smelt, and yellow perch.
Is Echo Lake Worth It?
The visitors to Echo Lake State Park indeed think Echo Lake is worth it. In 2020, the park saw a 60% jump in visitors. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) conducted a study that showed the rise was due to the pandemic. In 2021, UNH reported that the Echo Lake State Park saw a 38% increase in visitors coming to see fall foliage, with a record 4.3 million visitors after breaking a summer record of the number of visitors.
Echo Lake is a beautiful getaway. There are hiking trails, with an easy one-mile trail that takes hikers around the lake. The park’s forests and towering granite cliffs present dramatic views. Visitors celebrate Echo Lake State Park for its combination of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and accessibility.
