Baboosic Lake
Amherst, New Hampshire · on Baboosic Lake
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $2
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Baboosic Lake
Baboosic Lake is a 228.5-acre lake straddling Amherst and Merrimack, New Hampshire, and its official town-run beach at 25 Broadway in Amherst is the local swimming hole. For a staffed lake to swim in, it delivers: lifeguards on duty, an admission charge, and kayak and paddleboard rentals alongside a sand swimming area.
Baboosic Lake sits on the Amherst-Merrimack town line in southern New Hampshire. It was historically a popular vacation destination reached via the Boston & Maine Railroad's Manchester & Milford branch, and Camp Young Judaea, a Jewish summer camp, still operates on its shores.
Swimming at Baboosic Lake
The town beach has a designated swimming area open to the public (residents daily, non-residents on weekdays only), staffed by lifeguards from 9 AM to 7 PM with weekly water quality testing. Only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed in the swim area, and boaters must stay at least 30 feet from shore, keeping the swimming zone relatively calm and suited to families and casual swimmers rather than open-water or long-distance swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
The town beach is located at 25 Broadway, Amherst, NH 03031.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, staffed municipal beach at a street address (25 Broadway, Amherst, NH), not a hike-in swimming hole. No trail or approach hike to the swim area was found in official town sources or trail databases.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official lifeguard-staffed town beach (9 AM-7 PM) with a sand swim area; only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed inside the swim zone and boaters must stay 30 feet from shore, keeping the designated swimming area free of boat traffic. Swim lessons and a playscape/sand volleyball court are onsite, and children under 13 require adult supervision per posted rules.
Parking
Available
Beach is a staffed municipal facility at 25 Broadway, Amherst, NH, implying an onsite lot for visitors, but the town's official pages do not publish lot size, layout, or a separate parking fee (the published fees are beach admission, not parking).
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
The Baboosic Lake Association reports a positive water-clarity trend since 2006 from ongoing UNH-affiliated monitoring, but also flags cyanobacteria/algae and phosphorus concerns serious enough to prompt a planned 2026 alum treatment, indicating clarity can vary by season/bloom conditions rather than being consistently clear.
Hours
Open 7 days a week, 9 AM-7 PM (daily admission/lifeguard hours); non-residents limited to weekdays only, excluding holidays.
On the water
Restrictions: No public boat launch at the town beach; boat storage there is residents-only. Inside the roped swim area, only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted and boaters/boats must stay at least 30 feet from shore. General lake use by private boat owners (motorboats, jet skis) is governed by standard NH boating law per the Baboosic Lake Association's safety page (e.g., operators under 16 barred from jet skis, Safe Boater Education Certificate required for 25+ HP motors), but no lake-specific horsepower or no-wake rule was found.
The Lake Association runs a volunteer 'Lake Host' program that checks incoming small boats for invasive weeds.
Rentals nearby
Single kayaks, double kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, rented by the hour for use within the lake beach area
Prices: $7 per hour per boat
Onsite at the town beach, 25 Broadway, Amherst, NH · Available during beach hours, 9 AM-7 PM; last rental is one hour before closing (approx. 6 PM)
Backstory
Once a popular vacationers' destination reached by the Boston & Maine Railroad's Manchester & Milford branch; Camp Young Judaea, a Jewish summer camp, has long operated on the lakeshore.
Baboosic Lake: FAQ
Does Baboosic Lake charge a fee?
Daily admission: Amherst residents $2 (ages 2-11), $5 (ages 12-64), free 65+; non-residents $5 (ages 2-11), $10 (ages 12-64), free 65+. Season passes for up to 6 family members: $115 residents / $220 non-residents.
Is Baboosic Lake kid friendly?
Official lifeguard-staffed town beach (9 AM-7 PM) with a sand swim area; only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed inside the swim zone and boaters must stay 30 feet from shore, keeping the designated swimming area free of boat traffic. Swim lessons and a playscape/sand volleyball court are onsite, and children under 13 require adult supervision per posted rules.
Do I need to hike to reach Baboosic Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Baboosic Lake?
Beach is a staffed municipal facility at 25 Broadway, Amherst, NH, implying an onsite lot for visitors, but the town's official pages do not publish lot size, layout, or a separate parking fee (the published fees are beach admission, not parking).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Baboosic Lake?
The Lake Association runs a volunteer 'Lake Host' program that checks incoming small boats for invasive weeds.
What are the rules at Baboosic Lake?
Amherst residents may enter any day including holidays; non-residents (as guests, accompanied by a resident or pass holder) are limited to weekdays and are barred on weekends/holidays. Dogs are prohibited. Only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted in the swimming area. Boaters must stay within 30 feet of shore and wear proper PFDs. Children under 13 require adult supervision. There is no public boat launch; boat storage is for residents only.
What water body is Baboosic Lake on?
Baboosic Lake is on Baboosic Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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