Tucked into the wooded hills of Coös County, Forest Lake State Park offers a quieter side of New Hampshire’s North Country. At 397 acres, this state park centers on its namesake lake — a clear, spring-fed body of water with a sandy beach that draws families and day-trippers during the warm months without the crowds found at larger White Mountain destinations.

The beach is the main attraction here. A gradual entry into the water makes it ideal for younger children, while the surrounding picnic areas and grassy shoreline give parents a comfortable spot to settle in. Swimming is the primary draw, but the lake also welcomes canoes and kayaks for those who want to explore the shoreline at a slower pace. Anglers will find the lake stocked with trout, making early morning and evening casts particularly rewarding.

Hiking trails wind through the surrounding mixed hardwood and conifer forest, offering easy to moderate walks that showcase the region’s wildlife — keep an eye out for loons on the water and the occasional moose near the forest edge. The park’s northern location means fall foliage arrives early here, typically peaking in late September, making it one of the first spots in the state to put on its autumn display.

The best time to visit is late June through early September for swimming, or late September for foliage. Forest Lake rewards visitors looking for a low-key, uncrowded day in genuine North Country surroundings.

Explore Nearby

• Mount Orne Bridge — Covered Bridge in New Hampshire
• Mount Orne Bridge — Covered Bridge in Vermont
• White Mountain National Forest — National Forest in New Hampshire, Maine
• White Mountain Trail — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire
• Kancamagus Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire