The rolling hills of the Saco River Valley, boasting miles of uninterrupted stately pines in the White Mountain National Forest, surround Echo Lake. The 118-acre Echo Lake State Park -- adjacent to the town of North Conway -- is a family favorite for swimming, hanging out on the sandy beach, picnicking and hiking. Rock climbers come to the park for the challenging ascent up the sheer face of the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge, which looms over the lake. Once you've fully explored Echo Lake and its surroundings, you'll still have an abundance of activities to chose from, including boating, fishing, scenic drives and entertainment options.
Boating and Fishing
- When you're ready for an adventure on the water, head to Conway Lake or the Saco River for fun and fishing. You can access the river in a number of places near North Conway with your own gear. If you don't have any equipment, you can rent a kayak, canoe, or tube in town; guided tours are also available. Conway Lake, a 1,316-acre body of water located less than 15 miles south of Echo Lake, is known for its smallmouth bass fishing. Landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, perch and smelt are also plentiful. Anglers can access boat ramps at the northern end of the lake, or launch canoes or kayaks at the southern end.
State Parks
- If you'd like to camp in the area, two state parks situated within 25 miles of Echo Lake offer camping sites. Head to the 5,775-acre Crawford Notch State Park northeast of Echo Lake where you'll find a woodland setting and 36 campsites with flush toilets and showers. Lovers of the outdoors will find ample room to hike and fish in this historic park; the park is open for winter recreation as well. White Lake State Park is a glacial lake that's known for swimming and trout fishing. The park, located south of Echo Lake, has 168 campsites, complete with showers, a dump site and fire rings.
Scenic Drives
- Keep the camera close by as you cruise the Kancamagus Scenic Highway from Conway to Lincoln, a 34-mile drive through the national forest that parallels the clear waters of the Swift River. Access the highway about 10 miles south of Echo Lake. You'll follow the river for the first 16 miles and at about mile 20 you'll have stunning views of Mt. Osceola. Twenty miles from North Conway, you can take an 8-mile drive to the summit of Mount Washington, the tallest mountain on the East Coast. At the 6,145-foot summit you'll find panoramic vistas of up to 70 miles. New Hampshire is known for its historic covered bridges, and the area around North Conway is one of the best places to see them. Take time to appreciate the 224-foot Saco River Covered Bridge, constructed in 1890. The nearby 129-foot Swift River Covered Bridge, built in 1870, is a 129-foot Paddleford truss structure with arches.
Community Theater and Museum
- The community theater in North Conway showcases dramas, comedies and musicals that allow for a change of pace from outdoor adventures. M&D Productions operates year-round as a non-profit organization that presents six main plays, as well as a bi-weekly music series and more than 100 performances and readings. The MWV Children's Museum in town entertains parents and kids up to age 9 with educational, interactive and hands-on exhibits. Here, your children will discover dinosaurs, castles, dragons, puppets, a life-size tree house and dress-up costumes. The museum encourages parent-child interaction.
