Echo Lake State Park
A picturesque 118-acre park featuring a scenic lake, family-friendly beach, and hiking trails with breathtaking mountain views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peak foliage & sunrise magic
Echo Lake State Park
Best Time
Peak foliage & sunrise magic
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque 118-acre park featuring a scenic lake, family-friendly beach, and hiking trails with breathtaking mountain views.
"Echo Lake is a stunning and family-friendly destination with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains."
🚗 Reserve Parking Online
Parking fills fast! Book ahead on NH State Parks website to secure your spot. :admission_tickets:
🥾 Hike Artist Bluff for Views
Short, rewarding hike with iconic views of Echo Lake. Great for photography! :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Artist Bluff Trail
Franconia Notch State Park
A moderate 1.5-mile hike offering breathtaking panoramic views of Echo Lake and the White Mountains. Especially stunning during fall foliage.
+2
Echo Lake Beach
Echo Lake State Park
A refreshing spot for swimming with clear water and beautiful mountain backdrops. Perfect for a family-friendly day out.
Cathedral Ledge Viewpoint
Echo Lake State Park
Offers incredible vistas of the surrounding valleys and mountains, with opportunities to spot climbers on the ledges.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Visit in Advance
Best Time for Photography & Views
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Reserve Parking Online
Parking fills fast! Book ahead on NH State Parks website to secure your spot. :admission_tickets:
🥾 Hike Artist Bluff for Views
Short, rewarding hike with iconic views of Echo Lake. Great for photography!
☀️ Swim at Echo Lake Beach
Family-friendly beach with clear water. Swim at your own risk, no lifeguards. :woman_swimming:
📸 Sunset Photography Spot
Artist Bluff or Cathedral Ledge offer stunning sunset vistas. Bring your camera! :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Reserve Parking Online
Parking fills fast! Book ahead on NH State Parks website to secure your spot. :admission_tickets:
🥾 Hike Artist Bluff for Views
Short, rewarding hike with iconic views of Echo Lake. Great for photography!
☀️ Swim at Echo Lake Beach
Family-friendly beach with clear water. Swim at your own risk, no lifeguards. :woman_swimming:
📸 Sunset Photography Spot
Artist Bluff or Cathedral Ledge offer stunning sunset vistas. Bring your camera! :camerawithflash:
🧺 Pack Picnic & Trash Bags
Grills available. Pack your food and remember to 'pack it in, pack it out'. :forkandknifewithplate:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Echo Lake State Park for its stunning natural beauty, particularly the picturesque lake and surrounding mountains. It's a highly recommended spot for families, offering swimming, picnicking, and accessible hiking trails. While generally well-loved, some note that fishing can be disappointing due to the lake no longer being stocked.
"Am a local to the state of NH about 1.5hr drive from this beautiful place
Will recommend
Will return
I have state park plates so I went to New Hampshire State Parks website and made a reservation for this particular day in Wood State Park plates you pay one dollar which is your processing fee
Without state Park plates, the entry fee is eight dollars per car
I recommend making reservations on the website rather than just rolling up in person. They do have a large parking lot, but it seems to fill very quickly.
The beach is very family oriented. You can rent canoes. You can rent kayaks. You can rent paddle boats. The fees are very reasonable. They have tubes. You can also purchase for a small fee of six dollars.
The beach was not overcrowded. They have many hiking trails and areas around that area as well. They have charcoal grills that you can use up off the beach with some grassy area that you could also camp at.
There is also a bathhouse there that’s open as well as a small store
There are no lifeguards it’s a swim at your own risk"
Lady Cahill
"Great for kids, beautiful park. Sun and shade. Picnic tables, grills, handicap accessible. Great views of cathedral ledge and mountain climbers climbing up it. Bring binoculars! And enjoy the day."
Richard Bleakney
"Very nice lake to take the kids to swim. Unfortunately, it’s useless to try and fish there. Spent 5 hours with not even a bite. As we were leaving, the guard explained that it is no longer stocked and is spring fed which is not a place you can trout fish. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful view."
Jr Alss
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Echo Lake State Park is located at 68 Echo Lake Road, North Conway, NH. It's easily accessible by car. Parking reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season, via the NH State Parks website.
Yes, there is a large parking lot, but it fills up very quickly. Making an online reservation is strongly advised to guarantee entry.
While not explicitly forbidden in all park areas, drone usage may be restricted in certain zones or require special permits. It's best to check with park management or local regulations before flying.
From North Conway, follow NH-16 N and take the exit for NH-302 W towards Crawford Notch. Turn right onto Echo Lake Road. The park entrance will be on your left.
Public transport options to Echo Lake State Park are limited. It is primarily accessible by private vehicle. Consider ride-sharing services if you are not driving.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Day-use fees are typically $4 per adult (12+), $2 per child (6-11). Seniors (65+) and children 5 and under are free. If you have NH State Park plates, there's a small processing fee.
The park is generally open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with gates closing at 8:00 PM. Hours can vary seasonally, so it's best to check the official NH State Parks website.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make a reservation for parking in advance through the NH State Parks website, as the lot fills up quickly.
Seniors (65+) and children 5 and under typically get free admission. Having NH State Park plates also reduces the entry cost significantly.
While the gates close at 8:00 PM, the park may remain accessible for those who have already entered and are enjoying activities like sunset viewing or hiking. However, new entries are not permitted after 6:00 PM.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can swim at the beach, picnic, hike various trails including Artist Bluff and Cathedral Ledge, rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and tubes.
Absolutely! It's a very family-oriented park with a beach for swimming, picnic areas, and relatively short hiking trails. Animals are also known to be friendly here.
No, there are no lifeguards at Echo Lake Beach. Swimming is at your own risk.
Unfortunately, Echo Lake is no longer stocked and is spring-fed, making it difficult for trout fishing. Other fishing opportunities might be limited.
Amenities include a bathhouse, picnic tables, charcoal grills, a snack shack, and rental options for watercraft and tubes.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
Artist Bluff Trail offers iconic views of Echo Lake and the White Mountains, especially during fall foliage. Cathedral Ledge also provides stunning panoramic vistas. +2
Sunrise and sunset are ideal for photography, offering beautiful light and colors. Fall foliage season (late September to mid-October) is particularly spectacular.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes. A telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife spotting or focusing on distant mountain details. Don't forget a tripod for low-light conditions.
General photography for personal use is usually permitted. However, commercial photography or drone usage might require permits. Always check park regulations.
The reflections of the mountains in Echo Lake, the vibrant fall colors, the climbers on Cathedral Ledge, and the diverse wildlife are all highly photogenic subjects.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1 Cathedral Ledge provides another stunning vantage point for panoramic shots. 🚶 Hikers and Nature Lovers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Hiking Trails for Every Level
+1For those seeking a less strenuous walk, the one-mile trail around Echo Lake provides a pleasant, relatively flat path with scenic lake views. This is ideal for families or those who prefer a leisurely stroll.
More challenging options include trails leading to Cathedral Ledge, which can be accessed by car or a steeper hike, offering expansive vistas of the valley and the Presidential Range. When choosing a trail, consider wearing appropriate footwear, especially for steeper paths like Artist Bluff or Cathedral Ledge, as the terrain can be uneven.
Family Fun and Water Activities
Beyond swimming, the park offers various rental options for water activities. Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats to explore the lake at their own pace. Tubes are also available for purchase, adding to the aquatic fun.
For younger visitors, the opportunity to see friendly wildlife up close is often a highlight, with animals sometimes approaching visitors.
Capturing the Iconic Views
+1 This spot is particularly magical during sunrise and sunset, when the light casts a warm glow over the landscape. Another prime photography location is Cathedral Ledge, accessible by a short drive or a more challenging hike. From here, you get sweeping panoramic views of the Saco River Valley, Echo Lake, and the distant Presidential Range.
When planning your photography excursion, consider bringing a wide-angle lens to encompass the vast landscapes and a telephoto lens for capturing details of the mountains or wildlife. A tripod is essential for low-light conditions, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit