A tour around Lake Sunapee
Lake Sunapee is ten miles long and is the highest lake of its size in America, 1100 ft. above sea level. There are only a handful of public access places with swimming and boat launch ramps on the lake.
As you drive up from the south on 103 through Bradford into Newbury you will first see Lake Sunapee from Newbury Harbor, a spectacular view that looks out through The Narrows on miles of open water with Great Island and Burkehaven Lighthouse just barely visible on a clear day.
You will certainly want to pull over in the small parking lot on your right for a better look. The Newbury Yacht Club and the Newbury Harbor Bandstand is to your left. The Bandstand features free concerts every Thursday at 7:00 pm during the summer.
Just around the bend to your left at Bell Cove is the Newbury information booth. Be sure to stop in and get the latest goings-on in the area and pick up brochures, maps and calendars for the region.
Mt. Sunapee State Park
Two miles further on Rt. 103, just past the Salt Hill Pub Shanty and Skinner’s Ski Shop, is the Sunapee traffic circle, with the entrance to Mt. Sunapee State Park on your left and the road to Sunapee State Beach on your right. The beach has a store, canoe & kayak rentals, a playground, and a new bathhouse.
Mt. Sunapee is a 4-season state park with a resort and a great ski mountain with special snowboard riding trails and a separate beginner ski area. In the summer, Mt Sunapee has camping, hiking, crafts fairs, car shows, and aerial sky rides to the summit plus an adventure park with zip lines, mini-golf, frisbee golf, mountain biking and a tree-top obstacle course.
Sunapee Harbor
From the Mt Sunapee traffic circle take 103B a few more miles to Sunapee Harbor, the hot spot of Lake Sunapee, with wonderful shops, restaurants, live music, kayak & boat rentals, tour and dinner boat cruises. During the summer, the Ben Mere Bandstand features free live music every Wednesday at 7:00 pm and the Flanders Stage concerts are Saturdays at 5:00 pm.
You can see some spectacular views of the lake by heading past the boat docks up Lake Avenue and following it around past Burkehaven Lodge and over the hill, with a fantastic view of Mt. Sunapee on your left, and back to the harbor.
Head back through the harbor and take a right at The Anchorage Restaurant onto Garnet St. which leads around Sunapee Harbor, past Dewey Beach, and to Jobs Creek Road. Follow Jobs Creek road around to the right, past Garnet Hill Road, the access road to the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club. There is a brief but beautiful view of the lake’s Granliden Harbor just as you pass the Granliden condominiums.
Sponsored
Georges Mills Harbor
Turn right on Rt 11 at the end of Jobs Creek Rd and you will be at Georges Mills Harbor. Head down to the boat launching ramp next to Sargent’s Marina where you will have a fantastic view of the harbor, with Herrick Cove Lighthouse just across the lake and Mt. Kearsarge in the distance.
Continue on Rt 11, with Otter Pond on your left, for a little more than a mile. Just before Rt 89 turn right onto LakeSide Rd. There is a park & ride on your left, just after you turn, where people park and ride bikes around the area. After less than a mile, you will see Lake Sunapee again at Herrick Cove.
There is an historical marker next to a dock on your right that describes the “Golden Age” of steam boating on Lake Sunapee. This is Lakeside Landing, one of the old landings where steamboat passengers transferred to stages for the trip to New London’s hotels and boarding houses.
Take a right to stay on Lakeside Rd at the Stoney Brook Rd. intersection. A mile on your right is another historic marker, this one for Soo-Nipi park, a planned community built in 1892. All that is left now are two old gateposts to the park but be sure to stop and read the amazing story of Dr. John Quackenbos.
Blodgett Landing
Another mile south on Lakeside Rd is Blodgett Landing. Unlike the stately mansions and secluded cottages elsewhere on the lake, this unique lake shore neighborhood of closely packed houses has a real sense of community where you can easily socialize with your neighbors.
The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens
Another mile south on Lakeside Rd. is the John Hay National Wildlife Refuge and The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens. The Fells is one of New England’s finest examples of an early 20th-century summer estate, with outstanding gardens and sculpture park. The 164-acre estate’s main house is open for historic tours Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
The hiking trails that border Lake Sunapee are open year-round. You should definitely plan to bring a lunch and camera to spend a day here.
Lake Sunapee Outfitters
| Lake Sunapee Protective Association LSPA, founded in 1898, is a member supported nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the special environment of the Lake Sunapee Region through education, research and collaborative action. LSPA hosts many events and its Speaker Series in the Harbor Room at The Learning Center overlooking Sunapee Harbor. 63 Main Street, Sunapee, (603) 763-2210 |
 |
Scuba Diving Equipment and Lessons |
|
| Laporte’s Skindiving Dive to the shipwrecks of Lake Sunapee! Scuba diving equipment sales and lessons. Shop hours in the Summer are 10:00 am to 6;00 pm every day except Tuesday and Thursday. Route 103, Newbury 603-763-5353 |
 |
Boat Leasing, Service, Storage, and Docking |
|
| Browns Auto & Marine Marine Sales, Service and Supplies Complete Auto Service and Repair New & Used Boats, Motors, Trailers and Marine Restorations. 453 Sunapee St, Newport Contact Chris Fisher at 603-863-3322 |
 |
| Burkehaven Boatworks Lakeside: 232 Burkehaven Hill Road, Sunapee Sunapee Village: 477 Rt. 11, Sunapee A full-service marina offering personalized service for all your boating needs. Lakeside service in Burkehaven Bay for Sunapee’s only boat-in service. Call 603-763-8717 |
 |
| Sargents Marina in Sunapee Harbor Leasing and docking of power boats, sailboats, ski boats, pontoon boats and personal watercraft. Also located in Georges Mills. Hourly, daily and weekly rentals. Call Dori Sargent at 603-763-5036 |
 |
| Bob’s Beacon Marina Complete line of accessories for boats and water sports, including water-skis, tubes and water trampolines. Route 103, Newbury Sales:603-763-2920 Service:603-763-4884 |
 |
| Osborne’s Marine We offer boat storage/winterization, full service and boat repair, and hope to offer a line of accessories in the future. 284 Route 11, Sunapee Days (603) 763-0152 Night Phone:(603) 763-5453 |
 |
Marine Construction |
|
| A.N. Whipple Marine Construction Marine construction, repair and landscaping including retaining walls, beach repair or construction, permitting, wetland matting and available barge service. 60 Prospect Hill Rd. Georges Mills, NH (603) 504-2786 |
 |
| Watermark Marine Products Marine construction, dock and shore front accessories, navigation aids, and much more. 552 Route 11 near Sunapee Harbor Hours: In Season M-F 8:00-5:00, Sat 8:00-12:00 Hours: Off Season M-F 8:00-5:00 (Please Call First…) (603) 763-6440 |
 |
Boating Clubs |
|
| Lake Sunapee Rowing Club Get out and row! Lake Sunapee Rowing Club P.O.Box 287 New London, NH 03257 Phone: (603) 526-7716 |
 |
| Lake Sunapee Cruising Fleet The Lake Sunapee Cruising Fleet is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the sport of sailboat racing on Lake Sunapee. Phone: 603-763-4898 |
 |
Fishing Information About Lake Sunapee
SALMON – Fishing early spring to late June, on or near the surface. Trolling, fly casting and still fishing. Baits most productive are live smelt and flies. During summer, with warmer water temperatures, deeper trolling is practiced (about 15-30 feet down). Spawn in the fall.
LAKE TROUT – Fishing early spring through summer months. Found on or near the bottom and usually in the deeper areas of the lake. Trolling with wire line using laced-on smelt or suckers. Artificial spoon lures are used also. One method is to jig lure along the bottom, by taking line in hand and, with sweeping motion up and down, cause the lure to move in erratic action.
BROOK TROUT – Fishing early spring through summer, usually found in schools while feeding in brooks and shallow areas along the shore. Baits (worms) lures and flies are effective. Fly casting, spinning, and still fishing are methods used.
SMALL MOUTH BASS – Best fishing period during months of June and July. Located around and near rocks and old docks. Live bait used; night crawlers, hellgrammite, crayfish and shiners. Artificial lures, often referred to as ‘bass plugs’ and poppers, also bass flies.
PERCH and PICKEREL – Usually live in same habitat as bass. Also are found in weed areas. Live bait and lures used. Still fishing and spin casting best fishing method.
SUNFISH – A youngster’s delight, can be caught all day long. Worms are best bait.
Check New Hampshire Fishing Laws for size and quantity