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Spend a full day paddling the serene waters of Squam Lakes with Squam Lakes Association’s kayak rentals. Visit Moon and Bowman Islands, swim in quiet coves, and take in sweeping mountain views.
Spend a full day paddling the serene waters of Squam Lakes with Squam Lakes Association’s kayak rentals. Visit Moon and Bowman Islands, swim in quiet coves, and take in sweeping mountain views.
Book with Squam Lakes Association
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Squam Lakes Association · Holderness, New Hampshire
Squam Lakes, set in the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, delivers a pure, active outdoor experience that’s both accessible and refreshing. The Squam Lakes Association invites paddlers of all skill levels to immerse themselves in a full-day kayak rental that reveals the region’s striking blend of calm waters, wooded islands, and towering mountain backdrops. This trip is a standout in the local outdoor scene, offering a hands-on way to engage with an environment defined by glacially carved lakes framed by the White Mountains.
When you set off, the lake’s mosaic of islands unfolds before you. Destination favorites include Moon Island and Bowman Island—two spots offering hiking trails, rocky shorelines perfect for swimming, and secluded coves where quiet reigns. Moon Island boasts public bathrooms and trail networks that pepper its landscape while Bowman Island invites more intimate encounters with nature. Depending on your pace and conditions, it’s possible to extend your paddle to Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest or Five Finger Point, both offering additional walking trails and serene swim areas.
Squam Lakes Association operates with a stewardship mindset, preserving public access while respecting private lands surrounding the lake. Kayak rentals come complete with life jackets and paddles, providing everything needed for a safe day on the water. The seven-hour rental window gives explorers ample time to move at leisure, chase wildlife sightings, or pause for a lakeside picnic with mountain views unfolding at every turn.
This rental service underlines Squam Lakes’ reputation as a less crowded, more tranquil alternative to other New England watersheds. It invites visitors to slow down—not just to witness nature’s beauty but to live it, stroke by stroke. Whether you’re in pursuit of a peaceful paddle or an active day of waterborne adventure, Squam Lakes Association’s one-day kayak rentals are a gateway to one of New Hampshire’s most treasured landscapes.
easy.
7 hours.
Basic aerobic fitness is sufficient; paddling at an easy to moderate pace is manageable for most visitors.
Rentals come with a kayak, paddle, and lifejacket. No prior kayak experience is required but swimming ability is recommended.
Yes, Moon and Bowman Islands have public restrooms maintained by Squam Lakes Association.
This rental service provides everything you need; launching private boats may be subject to other policies.
Yes, children who can safely paddle and swim can participate, but adult supervision is required at all times.
Always wear your lifejacket, check the weather forecast before heading out, and stay within the public access areas.
Depending on conditions and experience, you may paddle to Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest and Five Finger Point, but some areas have private property restrictions.
Squam Lakes has long attracted conservation efforts; the Squam Lakes Association was founded in 1912 to protect the watershed and maintain public access.
The association encourages low-impact visitation, promoting leave-no-trace principles to preserve water quality and native habitats.
Squam Lakes Association (SLA) is a Holderness, New Hampshire organization that supports outdoor recreation and responsible use of Squam Lake. SLA manages designated campsites on Moon Island, Bowman Island, and Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest and operates canoe and kayak rentals for visitors exploring the lake. Rentals and campsites are offered across a range of durations, from one-hour paddling trips to multi-day rentals and campsite stays lasting up to seven nights. Lifejackets and paddles are provided with rental reservations. The association’s offerings include short paddles in Piper Cove, longer two-hour excursions, and multi-day kayak and canoe rentals ideal for campers who want to visit islands and coves or hike scenic trails. Campsites are accessible by boat or via scenic walks where trails permit. SLA’s services are designed to make paddling and camping on Squam Lake straightforward, with clear rental policies, equipment provision, and site management that supports visitor safety and natural resource protection. Visitors choose Squam Lakes Association for access to a variety of paddling durations and island campsite options in a region known for scenic mountain views and protected waters. Information on reservations and site locations helps guests plan trips that match their experience level and schedule while promoting stewardship of Squam Lake’s natural and cultural resources.
Book with Squam Lakes Association