Jaffrey Public Beach
Jaffrey, New Hampshire · on Contoocook Lake · Contoocook Beach
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- June
About Jaffrey Public Beach
Contoocook Beach, also called Jaffrey Public Beach, is a town-run sandy swimming beach on the eastern shore of Contoocook Lake at 191 Squantum Road in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Operated by the Jaffrey Parks & Recreation Department as an official, publicly accessible swim area open to both residents and non-residents, it gives the area a dependable swimming hole and an easy lake to swim in.
The beach sits on the eastern end of Contoocook Lake, a lake shared by the towns of Jaffrey and Rindge, near the Squantum neighborhood. The lake supports a range of recreation beyond swimming, including fishing, boating, kayaking, sailing, and paddleboarding, and is monitored by the volunteer Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association (CLAPA), which has worked since the 1960s on water quality and invasive variable milfoil control.
Swimming at Jaffrey Public Beach
A designated, buoy-marked swim area operates in the lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, on a sandy beach. It is a 'swim at your own risk' facility with beach staff present to enforce rules; floatation devices are restricted to the shallow end with an adult within arm's reach, making it suited to families with young children as well as casual lake swimmers.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 191 Squantum Road in Jaffrey, NH, near the Squantum neighborhood on the lake's eastern shore. Non-residents without a parking permit can park at Humiston Field (31 Howard Hill Road) and walk to the beach; the beach itself remains open to all residents and non-residents regardless of parking restrictions.
Parking: On-site parking at Contoocook Beach requires a Transfer Station Permit for town residents, obtained at the Town Clerk's Office; vehicles without a permit are subject to a $50 fine and towing. Non-residents can instead park at Humiston Field and walk to the beach; the parking restriction does not affect swimming access.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up town beach with an on-site parking lot directly adjacent to the sand; no trail or walk-in is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy, buoy-marked shallow swim area designed for families; rules require children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult at all times, and any flotation devices are restricted to the shallow end with an adult within arm's reach. However, no source confirms lifeguards are on duty (town rules reference 'beach staff' and the facility is explicitly 'swim at your own risk'), so supervise closely rather than relying on staff.
Parking
Free
On-site lot at 191 Squantum Road requires a Transfer Station Permit for Jaffrey residents (obtained free at the Town Clerk's Office); unpermitted vehicles face a $50 fine and towing. This is a residency restriction, not a paid-parking fee. Non-residents can instead park free at Humiston Field (31 Howard Hill Road) and walk to the beach; the beach itself stays open to everyone regardless of where you park.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site bathhouse/changing rooms and restrooms plus a concession stand, per the town's official facility listing (jaffrey.recdesk.com) and Swim Guide.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
No direct visitor description of visibility/clarity was found. The lake's stewardship group (CLAPA) reports recurring filamentous ('stringy, slimy') green algae that is typically harmless, plus a history of invasive variable milfoil that has been in decline since 2018 through active management; a 2020 sample of unusual algae was confirmed by NH DES to be harmless Zygnema. Residents are asked to watch for and report blue-green cyanobacteria blooms, indicating conditions can shift seasonally rather than staying reliably clear.
Hours
Beach open 8am to dusk daily; buoyed swim area in place Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Jaffrey Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday-Friday 8am-1pm (townofjaffrey.com).
On the water
Restrictions: Per Contoocook Lake boating regulations: motorboats at normal speed must stay 150 feet from other boats, kayaks, sailboats, swimmers, docks, swim rafts, marked swim areas, and shoreline (headway/no-wake speed required within that distance); waterskiing/towing is illegal from sunset to sunrise; no skiing allowed inside the lake's island area, and skiing in the lake's narrow section must stay centered to observe the 150-ft shore rule. NH requires boater education certification for anyone 16+ operating a motorboat over 25 hp.
The lake supports fishing, power boating, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, water skiing, and tubing (per Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association). These general lake-wide rules apply to the open lake; no source specifies whether launching motorized/paddle craft directly from the designated Contoocook Beach swim area itself is permitted or restricted.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and canoe rentals (single and tandem), on-site or delivered off-site; no paddleboards offered
Prices: On-site 2-hour: $32 single adult / $22 kids 12 & under / $50 tandem; off-site full-day: $55 single / $70 tandem; full week with delivery/pickup (up to 10 miles): $150; 10% discount for seniors, service members, students, teachers
311 Route 12, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 - roughly 9 miles south of Jaffrey Public Beach; the site does not state it operates on Contoocook Lake itself (appears to be based on its own pond), but offers delivery within 10 miles which could reach Contoocook Lake · Open daily Wed-Sun, late May through October (weather permitting): Wednesday 11am-8pm, Thursday-Sunday 9am-6pm, last reservation departs 4:30pm
Backstory
The Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association, a nonprofit founded in August 1969, has worked to preserve the lake and its watershed, including managing an invasive variable milfoil problem that has seen a significant reduction in new plant growth since 2018 through monitoring and treatment.
Jaffrey Public Beach: FAQ
Is Jaffrey Public Beach kid friendly?
Sandy, buoy-marked shallow swim area designed for families; rules require children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult at all times, and any flotation devices are restricted to the shallow end with an adult within arm's reach. However, no source confirms lifeguards are on duty (town rules reference 'beach staff' and the facility is explicitly 'swim at your own risk'), so supervise closely rather than relying on staff.
Do I need to hike to reach Jaffrey Public Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Jaffrey Public Beach?
On-site lot at 191 Squantum Road requires a Transfer Station Permit for Jaffrey residents (obtained free at the Town Clerk's Office); unpermitted vehicles face a $50 fine and towing. This is a residency restriction, not a paid-parking fee. Non-residents can instead park free at Humiston Field (31 Howard Hill Road) and walk to the beach; the beach itself stays open to everyone regardless of where you park.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Jaffrey Public Beach?
The lake supports fishing, power boating, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, water skiing, and tubing (per Contoocook Lake Area Preservation Association). These general lake-wide rules apply to the open lake; no source specifies whether launching motorized/paddle craft directly from the designated Contoocook Beach swim area itself is permitted or restricted.
When is the best time to visit Jaffrey Public Beach?
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, when the buoyed swim area is in place and NH DES conducts seasonal water-quality (E. coli) monitoring (June 1 through September 1).
What are the rules at Jaffrey Public Beach?
Swim at your own risk; open 8am to dusk daily; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times; no alcohol, illegal substances, firearms, fireworks, fires/grills, or glass containers; no dogs, horses, or other animals; masks and goggles are permitted but snorkels, fins, and scuba/underwater equipment are prohibited; only Type III Coast Guard-approved flotation devices allowed, and only in the shallow end with an adult within arm's reach; fishing not allowed in the designated swim area; swimmers must wear appropriate attire and potty-training-age children must wear swim diapers.
What water body is Jaffrey Public Beach on?
Jaffrey Public Beach is on Contoocook Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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