Gunnison Lake and the Ruth LeClair Trail

Gunnison Lake is a 60-acre man-made lake tucked away along the back side of Mount Sunapee, located off Route 31, and accessible by Gunnison Lake Road or Four Corners Road.

Named for John Williams Gunnison, an American explorer born in Goshen in 1812, it is a hidden gem nicknamed “The Goshen Ocean” by locals who have been hiking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking and birding there since its creation in 1983.

Take the Gunnison Lake Road entrance at the western edge of the lake to the main parking lot & boat launch, flanked on either side by flower-packed meadows that end at some impressive boulders separating the parking lot from the lakeshore.

The Williamson Park area next to the parking lot is perfect for family picnicking.

The dam was built by the Sullivan County Conservation District and the NH Water Resources Board, with assistance from the Soil Conservation Service, to protect the watershed and prevent flooding.

The Ruth LeClair Trail is a gently winding path through woods filled with hemlock, maple, beech and ferns as it cuts through several stone walls.

Ruth LeClair Trail Stone Wall The trail is accessible and free with a nice 3 mile loop around the lake. People say it’s the perfect length to walk their dogs.

The entire length of the trail is never far from the lake and almost always in sight of it.

At the easterly end of the lake there are two bridges spanning Baker Brook and Blood Brook. (Built by a local Eagle Scout.)

After crossing the brooks, you eventually emerge from the woods and cross a couple of lawns maintained by homeowners along with several thoughtfully provided benches to rest and enjoy the view.

Balthazar’s Ice Shack

Located just south of the entrance to Gunnsion Lake on Rt 31 and accessible via the area’s snowmobile and hiking trails, Balthazar’s Ice Shack is a year-round ice cream shop and food stand that also serves hot food & drinks in the winter to snowmobilers.