Waukewan Beach
Meredith, New Hampshire · on Lake Waukewan
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Waukewan Beach
Waukewan Beach is a Town of Meredith, New Hampshire public beach on Lake Waukewan, an officially designated freshwater swimming hole with restrooms and free on-site parking. Managed as part of the town's parks and recreation system, it sits about 1.3 miles from downtown Meredith, an easy lake to swim in without leaving town. Lake Waukewan itself is a roughly 928-acre lake shared by Meredith, New Hampton, and Center Harbor that also serves as the source of the town's public drinking water.
The beach sits directly on the shore of Lake Waukewan in Meredith, in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, described by the town as offering scenic lake views and a peaceful atmosphere. The lake covers about 928 acres, stretching roughly 2.6 miles long and up to 1 mile wide, and is bordered by Meredith and New Hampton, with Center Harbor on its northern shore; it holds Chapman Island and drains toward Lake Winnipesaukee with about a 40-foot elevation drop.
Swimming at Waukewan Beach
The town maintains a designated swimming area at the beach, marketed as a quiet, family-friendly lake swimming spot. No further first-hand detail on water depth, bottom type, or typical crowd levels was found.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Free on-site parking for approximately 20 vehicles; the town notes spaces can fill quickly during peak times.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up town beach: the on-site parking lot sits directly adjacent to the designated swimming area, so no trail or hike-in is required beyond a short walk from a parked car (walk time not specified by the town, but the lot is described as being at the beach itself).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Town of Meredith markets Waukewan Beach as a quiet, family-friendly lake swimming spot with parking right at the beach, which is convenient for young kids and gear. However, no source confirms lifeguard staffing, water depth at the shoreline, or bottom type (sand vs. rock), so caregivers should supervise closely rather than assume a guarded, gently-shelving swim area.
Parking
Free
Free on-site town lot with room for roughly 20 vehicles, directly at the beach; the town notes spaces can fill quickly during peak summer times.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restrooms at the beach, per the Town of Meredith's official beach page; no further detail (flush vs. vault, seasonal closure) is published.
On the water
The Town of Meredith's official beach page states a public boat launch is located nearby, 'providing easy access to the lake for boaters and paddlers,' implying kayaks/canoes/paddleboards and possibly motorboats can be launched on Lake Waukewan from that separate launch point -- but it does not name the launch, give its exact location, or state any horsepower/no-wake/motor restrictions, and the town's detailed boat-launch rules page explicitly covers only Hesky Park and Lovejoy Sands Road, not Waukewan. Because no source confirms what craft are actually permitted or any restrictions specific to Waukewan, the allowed list is left empty rather than assumed; note that Lake Waukewan is also the town's public drinking-water supply, which in many NH towns correlates with motor/wake restrictions, but this was not confirmed for Waukewan specifically.
Backstory
Lake Waukewan's outlet in Meredith Village has an industrial-era history: between 1816 and 1818, John Bond Swasey engineered a 600-foot canal and consolidated waterfall to power local mills, aiding the area's early industrialization. The lake's water level has since been regulated by the NH Department of Environmental Services' Dam Bureau (targets of about 540.0 ft above sea level in summer and 538.5 ft in other seasons, as of 2013).
Waukewan Beach: FAQ
Does Waukewan Beach charge a fee?
No admission fee found; on-site parking is free (not a paid lot), though the town notes the roughly 20 spaces can fill quickly in peak season.
Is Waukewan Beach kid friendly?
Town of Meredith markets Waukewan Beach as a quiet, family-friendly lake swimming spot with parking right at the beach, which is convenient for young kids and gear. However, no source confirms lifeguard staffing, water depth at the shoreline, or bottom type (sand vs. rock), so caregivers should supervise closely rather than assume a guarded, gently-shelving swim area.
Do I need to hike to reach Waukewan Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Waukewan Beach?
Free on-site town lot with room for roughly 20 vehicles, directly at the beach; the town notes spaces can fill quickly during peak summer times.
What water body is Waukewan Beach on?
Waukewan Beach is on Lake Waukewan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
