Elkins Beach
Elkins, New Hampshire · on Pleasant Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Elkins Beach
Elkins Beach is a town-operated swimming beach at 349 Elkins Rd in the Elkins village area of New London, New Hampshire, on the eastern shore of Pleasant Lake. It is one of New London's two official public beaches (with Bucklin Beach), staffed with lifeguards in summer and open to residents, taxpayers, and their guests.
The beach sits on Pleasant Lake at the village of Elkins, which straddles the New London/Wilmot town line at the lake's eastern end; the surrounding area is small New Hampshire lake-village terrain with a post office, church, and other village amenities nearby.
Swimming at Elkins Beach
This is a managed, lifeguarded freshwater lake swim beach with a designated swimming area (rope-marked, per town rules) rather than a backcountry or informal swimming hole; it is set up for family swimming, with mandatory adult supervision required for children 11 and under.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 349 Elkins Rd in the Elkins village section of New London, NH, on the eastern end of Pleasant Lake.
Parking: On-site parking exists but is governed by New London's Beach & Transfer Station Parking Permit Ordinance; specific permit costs or lot capacity were not found in available sources.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up town beach with an adjacent parking lot; no hike is required, it's a short walk (well under a minute) from parking to the sand/swim area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Lifeguarded, designated swim area suited to families, but town rules require constant adult/guardian/16+-sibling supervision for children 11 and under. Pleasant Lake has had cyanobacteria bloom concerns in recent years (a monitoring buoy was added in 2026), so check for active advisories before swimming.
Parking
Lot
On-site lot exists, but use is governed by New London's Beach & Transfer Station Parking Permit Ordinance, restricting access to residents, taxpayers, and their guests. Exact permit fees are not published online (the ordinance is only available as a scanned, non-machine-readable PDF).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms at Elkins Beach operate on a seasonal schedule: open weekends starting May 23, then daily from June 17 through Labor Day; exact building location on-site not specified in town materials.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
NH's Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP) classifies Pleasant Lake as oligotrophic (high-quality/clear) overall, with a 2019 assessment noting clarity had improved since 2006. However, NH DES has confirmed toxin-producing cyanobacteria present in the lake (documented near Slope 'n Shore beach, elsewhere on the lake), and a solar-powered monitoring buoy was deployed in July 2026 to help identify bloom causes; phosphorus levels have stayed elevated since heavy 2023 rainfall. Visitors should check for active cyanobacteria advisories before swimming.
Hours
Beach grounds generally open roughly 7am-9pm daily (closed 9pm-7am per posted rules); lifeguards on duty about 10am-5pm, 6 days/week (closed Mondays per the 2026 schedule), mid-June through Labor Day. Restrooms open weekends from May 23, then daily June 17-Labor Day. Access is restricted to New London residents, taxpayers, and their guests (not open to the general public).
On the water
Restrictions: Elkins Beach rules prohibit launching personal watercraft directly from the beach; the town directs boaters to use a public boat launch instead (e.g., the launch at Elkins Dam). The town's own free boat-loan program supplies kayaks and paddleboards for use at the beach (30-60 minute sessions, mandatory life jackets), for residents, taxpayers, and guests only.
No motorboat/personal-watercraft launching at Elkins Beach itself; a public boat ramp at Elkins Dam (per Wilmot Parks & Recreation) serves Pleasant Lake for those trailering their own boats.
Rentals nearby
Kayak Country SUP Paddlesports
Kayak, sunfish sailboat, and stand-up paddleboard rentals, lessons, and guided tours in the Lake Sunapee/New London area
Prices: Guided 'Backwater River Tour' listed at $45/adult and $35/child (includes kayak rental, guide, and instruction); standalone rental-only pricing not published online
27 Kearsarge Valley Road, Wilmot, NH - roughly 2-3 miles from Elkins Beach · Guided tours run Wednesday-Saturday, 2pm-5pm; general rental-counter hours not published
What regulars say
One regular visitor remarked on Pleasant Lake's water level being unusually high ("never have I ever seen the water level this high"), indicating seasonal water-level swings are notable enough for regulars to comment on; no other candid visitor commentary on crowds or clarity specifically at Elkins Beach was found (attributed as visitor reports, not independently verified).
Elkins Beach: FAQ
Does Elkins Beach charge a fee?
No swim fee found; access is restricted to New London residents, taxpayers, and their accompanying guests (not open to the general public).
Is Elkins Beach kid friendly?
Lifeguarded, designated swim area suited to families, but town rules require constant adult/guardian/16+-sibling supervision for children 11 and under. Pleasant Lake has had cyanobacteria bloom concerns in recent years (a monitoring buoy was added in 2026), so check for active advisories before swimming.
Do I need to hike to reach Elkins Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Elkins Beach?
On-site lot exists, but use is governed by New London's Beach & Transfer Station Parking Permit Ordinance, restricting access to residents, taxpayers, and their guests. Exact permit fees are not published online (the ordinance is only available as a scanned, non-machine-readable PDF).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Elkins Beach?
No motorboat/personal-watercraft launching at Elkins Beach itself; a public boat ramp at Elkins Dam (per Wilmot Parks & Recreation) serves Pleasant Lake for those trailering their own boats.
When is the best time to visit Elkins Beach?
Summer; lifeguards on duty roughly mid-June (day after Kearsarge Regional School District's last day) through Labor Day, 10 AM-5 PM, closed Mondays per 2026 posted schedule.
What are the rules at Elkins Beach?
Swimming allowed only in the designated swim area; children age 11 and under must be constantly supervised by an adult, guardian, or sibling 16+; no alcohol on town property; no fires or grills except those provided; no pets except service animals; no launching of personal watercraft (use public boat launches instead); beach closes 9 PM to 7 AM.
What water body is Elkins Beach on?
Elkins Beach is on Pleasant Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
