Newfound Lake

Bristol, Bridgewater, Alexandria and Hebron, NH

4451 acres
182’ maximum depth
74’ average depth

Newfound is New Hampshire’s deepest lake. Its southern half (photo below) is relatively shallow and freezes early, but often becomes snow-covered early as well. The northern half (photos upper and lower right) is the widest and deepest and freezes last, offering a shot at mid- to late-season skating on a 7-by-2 mile expanse of smooth ice, usually punctuated by bands of pack ice and pressure ridges that can be difficult to cross.
Skating tours usually meet at the Wellington State Park boat launch ramp. If ice access is difficult there, meeting at Cummings Beach (the Bristol town beach) is the backup plan.