Sunset Lake Beach

Greenfield, New Hampshire · on Sunset Lake

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Yes, see below
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Sunset Lake Beach

Sunset Lake Beach is the Town of Greenfield, New Hampshire's municipal swimming beach on the western end of Sunset Lake, a small 33-acre, spring-fed lake. Access to this swimming hole is restricted to Greenfield residents and taxpayers, plus their guests, with a permit sticker, and swimming is at one's own risk without a guaranteed lifeguard. For those with access, it is a classic small-town lake to swim in.

Sunset Lake is a small, spring-fed lake of about 33 acres with a maximum depth of roughly 25 feet, ringed mostly by private homes on its southern and eastern shores. The town beach occupies the western end of the lake, while the Crotched Mountain Foundation operates a separate accessible waterfront/boathouse on the northern shore that it has run for over 70 years.

Swimming at Sunset Lake Beach

Swimming is in a roped-off, spring-fed lake area at a small-town municipal beach. The town's own rules note there is no guarantee of lifeguard supervision and swimming is at your own risk; fishing is restricted to outside the roped swim area and floatation devices are banned when lifeguards are on duty.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: Vehicles must display a Greenfield facilities permit sticker (obtained from the Town Office) to park at the beach; parking area is adjacent to the beach per town rules.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed, this is a drive-up municipal beach with a parking area directly adjacent to the swimming area; town rules reference watching children "near the parking lot area," confirming the lot sits right at the beach.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Town rules explicitly state swimming is at your own risk with no guarantee a lifeguard is on duty (a "no lifeguard on duty" sign is posted when absent), and parents are directed to watch their own children near the parking-lot area since "it's the lifeguard's job to watch the water" only when one is present. No public data found on beach-front slope or shallow-entry depth.

Parking

Lot

A designated parking lot sits adjacent to the beach; vehicles must display a Greenfield facilities permit sticker obtained from the Town Office (restricted to residents/taxpayers, plus guests accompanied by one; non-resident swim-lesson participants can get temporary permits). No monetary parking fee is stated, the requirement is residency/permit-based, not a paid lot.

Hours

6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily (posted town beach hours)

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsMotorboats

Restrictions: Per the Sunset Lake Association's published boating rules, motorboats are capped at 10 MPH on the lake generally, except from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM (or sunset), Monday-Saturday, when speeds up to 30 MPH are allowed for waterskiing, which must proceed counter-clockwise. No specific restrictions are published for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. Separately, within the roped-off town beach swim area itself, fishing is barred and general boat traffic would not enter the swim zone, though this isn't spelled out as a formal watercraft rule.

These rules apply to Sunset Lake as a whole (a small, largely privately-shored lake), not to a boat-launch specifically at the town beach; no public boat ramp at the beach was confirmed by any reliable source.

Backstory

The Crotched Mountain Foundation, a disability services organization, has operated an accessible waterfront/boathouse on the lake's northern shore for more than 70 years, separate from the town beach.

Sunset Lake Beach: FAQ

Does Sunset Lake Beach charge a fee?

No listed swim fee, but access requires a resident/taxpayer permit sticker on vehicles, obtained through the Town Office; non-resident swim-lesson participants may receive temporary permits.

Is Sunset Lake Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Sunset Lake Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Sunset Lake Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Sunset Lake Beach?

What are the rules at Sunset Lake Beach?

Beach is restricted to Greenfield residents and taxpayers (guests allowed if accompanied by a resident/taxpayer); open 6am-10pm; no pets, open fires, vehicles on the beach, loud music, littering, alcohol, or smoking; no horseplay; no flotation devices while lifeguards are on duty (except noodles on rafts); no swimming under rafts; fishing only outside the roped beach area; wildlife feeding prohibited; violations carry fines up to $100 and/or up to 20 hours community service.

What water body is Sunset Lake Beach on?

Sunset Lake Beach is on Sunset Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.