Surry Mountain Lake
Surry, New Hampshire · on Surry Mountain Lake · Surry Mountain Recreation Area
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $85/day
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Surry Mountain Lake
Surry Mountain Lake is a US Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Ashuelot River in Surry, New Hampshire, just outside Keene. The Corps operates an official day-use beach here with a 600-foot sandy swimming area and views of Surry Mountain. As swimming holes go, this is an actively used, officially designated swim site rather than an informal or hidden spot, and a dependable lake to swim in close to town.
The beach sits on the shore of the Surry Mountain Lake reservoir (impounded Ashuelot River) with open grassy areas behind the sand and views across the water to Surry Mountain, within a USACE flood-control recreation area that also includes a campground, boat ramp, and multi-purpose trail network.
Swimming at Surry Mountain Lake
A designated, roped swim area off a 600-foot sandy beach on the reservoir; there is no lifeguard on duty, so it is explicitly a swim-at-your-own-risk facility. The site is set up for casual day-use swimming, sunbathing, and paddling rather than technical or wilderness swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
The beach is located on Route 12A in Surry, NH; the Surry Mountain Lake office is at 108 Surry Dam Road, Surry, NH 03431, about 1.2 miles from the town center and roughly a 10-minute drive from Keene.
The hike in
The USACE recreation area has over 6 miles of separate multipurpose trails (with access to the Lily Pond Trail and Dort Road Natural Area), but these are unrelated to reaching the swim beach itself.
This is a drive-up day-use beach; the parking lot adjoins the sand directly, so no hike or meaningful walk is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Gradual sandy beach entry and an on-site playground make it welcoming for kids, but there is no lifeguard (explicitly a swim-at-your-own-risk facility), and the lake has had periodic bacteria advisories (most recently a July 2026 USACE advisory that discouraged swimming while other park activities stayed open).
Parking
Free
Free dedicated day-use parking lot immediately adjacent to the beach (no separate walk-in needed); no general park entrance fee. Exact lot capacity is not published in any source found.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush-toilet restrooms and a change house at the beach building; on Monday/Tuesday, when the main facility is closed, portable toilets are set out instead.
Hours
Beach open Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-8pm, seasonal (opens late May); Monday/Tuesday are walk-in access only with limited amenities (portable toilets, no lifeguard building access).
On the water
Restrictions: Motorboats are restricted to no-wake speed, and recreation.gov's gateway page notes the lake is limited to 10-hp engines on vessels. The boat ramp is described as accommodating small boats, kayaks, and canoes.
No outfitter operates directly on Surry Mountain Lake itself (self-launch only via the boat ramp); paddleboards are not explicitly mentioned in any official source, so they are not listed as confirmed-allowed.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and canoe rentals (single and tandem)
Prices: On-site 2-hour: $22 (age 12 & under) / $32 (adult) for a single, $50 tandem; full-day off-site delivery: $55 single / $70 tandem; weekly off-site rental $150 (includes delivery/pickup within 10 miles); $250 unlimited season pass.
311 Route 12, Fitzwilliam, NH, roughly 19-20 miles south of Surry Mountain Lake. This is the nearest kayak/canoe outfitter identified in the region; it does not operate directly on Surry Mountain Lake, which has no on-site rental service. · Seasonal, late May through October, weather permitting; Wednesday 11am-8pm, Thursday-Sunday 9am-6pm, last reservation departs 4:30pm.
Surry Mountain Lake: FAQ
Does Surry Mountain Lake charge a fee?
No park entrance fee for general day-use visitors. Picnic shelters require paid reservation through recreation.gov (Maple & Aspen Shelters, 100-person capacity, $85/day; Birch Shelter, 16-person capacity, $35/day); special event fees vary.
Is Surry Mountain Lake kid friendly?
Gradual sandy beach entry and an on-site playground make it welcoming for kids, but there is no lifeguard (explicitly a swim-at-your-own-risk facility), and the lake has had periodic bacteria advisories (most recently a July 2026 USACE advisory that discouraged swimming while other park activities stayed open).
Do I need to hike to reach Surry Mountain Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Surry Mountain Lake?
Free dedicated day-use parking lot immediately adjacent to the beach (no separate walk-in needed); no general park entrance fee. Exact lot capacity is not published in any source found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Surry Mountain Lake?
No outfitter operates directly on Surry Mountain Lake itself (self-launch only via the boat ramp); paddleboards are not explicitly mentioned in any official source, so they are not listed as confirmed-allowed.
When is the best time to visit Surry Mountain Lake?
Summer; the beach is seasonal and opens in late May.
What are the rules at Surry Mountain Lake?
Beach open Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-8pm (walk-in access only with limited amenities on Monday/Tuesday); no lifeguard on duty (swim at your own risk); leashed dogs allowed elsewhere but prohibited on the beach; no overnight camping (day-use only); carry-in/carry-out trash policy; no drones without authorization; no commercial activity or metal detecting; motorboats permitted on the lake at no-wake speed.
What water body is Surry Mountain Lake on?
Surry Mountain Lake is on Surry Mountain Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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