6 Best Places to Paddle Board in New Hampshire (NH)

Discover tranquil lakes and picturesque shorelines in the Granite State.

New Hampshire offers stunning settings to connect with nature on your paddleboard journey.

Experience the best places to paddle board in New Hampshire as we unveil these hidden gems.

Grab your board and let’s embark on this New England adventure.

Map

Planning Your Paddle in New Hampshire

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 81 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in New Hampshire

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Lake Winnipesaukee

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Weirs Beach Public Docks (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear waters, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Largemouth bass, trout, loons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Mount Major, Rattlesnake Island, Meredith Bay
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of boat traffic, respect no-wake zones

Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire, offers over 70 square miles of pristine waters surrounded by stunning mountains and forest scenery.

It’s an ideal spot for paddle boarding with numerous coves and islands to explore, providing endless adventure possibilities.

#2 Little Lake Sunapee

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Little Sunapee Public Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, sheltered lake waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Trout, bullfrogs, ospreys
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Rolling wooded hills, serene shoreline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect private shorelines, be mindful of swimmers and boats

Little Lake Sunapee is a tranquil oasis nestled among the picturesque New Hampshire hills.

Its calm, sheltered waters make it an excellent spot for paddle boarding, particularly for beginners or those looking for a peaceful escape away from the larger lakes.

#3 Squam Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Squam Lakes Association (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional afternoon winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bald eagles, loons, bass
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Rattlesnake Mountain, numerous islands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch out for swimmers and boats, protect fragile shoreline habitats

Squam Lake, made famous by the film “On Golden Pond,” entices paddleboard enthusiasts with its natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

With over 30 islands and miles of quiet shoreline, Squam Lake provides a peaceful setting for a day on the water.

#4 Rye Harbor

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Rye Harbor State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Currents & Wind: Ocean conditions, winds can pick up in the afternoon
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Sea lions, seals, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Isles of Shoals, rocky coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of ocean currents, watch for boat traffic

Rye Harbor provides a unique paddleboarding experience along the rocky shoreline of the New Hampshire coast.

The harbor’s picturesque cliffs and adjacent expansive ocean create a stunning backdrop for a day of aquatic adventure.

#5 Piscataqua River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Hilton State Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Strong tidal currents, ocean influence
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seals, striped bass, waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Historic bridges, Portsmouth Harbor
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Know the tide schedule, be cautious of strong currents, stay clear of commercial vessels and shipping lanes

The Piscataqua River, which serves as a natural border between New Hampshire and Maine, offers paddlers a mix of saltwater estuary and riverine environments.

With historic bridges and views of Portsmouth, it’s an exceptional spot for those seeking a combination of historic charm and natural beauty.

#6 Great Bay

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region, Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (5198415699), Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY 2.0

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Adams Point Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Protected bay waters, tidal currents, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seals, various fish species, waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Adams Point
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for tidal currents, stay clear of sensitive marsh habitats

Great Bay, a coastal estuary located in southeastern New Hampshire, offers a diverse array of habitats for paddleboarders to explore.

Paddlers can enjoy the calm, protected bay waters while observing the abundant wildlife or taking in the unique marshland views of this ecologically important area.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case