All this for five bucks?

I have a family of four on a budget.  A twelve year old son that seeks adventure and a three year old wanna be twelve year old son who also seeks adventure --- but as any mother knows, activities have to be adjusted according to age and pocket book size. Sure there are the theme parks and endless hiking trails, but when your budget is small and it is HOT outside, nothing sounds better than going for a swim.  Coos County offers numerous places to dip yourself into cool clean water --- but none better than, (in my opinion) South Pond in Stark, NH. So this past Saturday, I packed up the kids, cooler, sunblock, beach toys and my husband and we headed for the beach.

Easily accessible from Route 110, the drive up to the lake is breathtaking for lack of a better word.  You feel like you are in a canopy as you drive along and the trees above you form a natural tunnel.  At the "top" you will be greeted by some very friendly park "rangers" who will collect the fee for the day of five dollars and in return you get a beautiful hiking trail, a clean beach, clean bathrooms, changing rooms and crystal clean water.  There are picnic tables, grills, fire pits and a water spicket for your convenience. 

The water is sectioned off for the "Big kids" area and a smaller wading area for the "little ones."  This helped to accomplish my goal of adventure appropriate for both ages. Not to mention that my 12 year old finds the well defined hiking trail along the side of the lake his personal hide away from an aggravating little brother.

On Saturday, I was also accompanied by my mother and father who enjoyed a relaxing day watching their grandchildren digging in the sand and splashing about. Add in a cooler of ice, some drinks, snacks and sandwiches (or in our case cold pizza) and you have a great day that is also great on the old pocket book. 

Did I mention fishing?  Yup... you can do that here too.  So for all of you that need a great day out with your family that is only 20 minutes from Berlin, 10 from Groveton, 25 from Lancaster ---- check out South Pond, you won't be disappointed.  You can see pictures of our day here.   

Comments

[Eri]

The childhood memories from this one post alone can't be beat. I absolutely love South Pond. It's the perfect spot for that all-day at the beach with family and friends. Since I haven't had a lot of time for one of those days I've taken my kids to Jericho Lake a couple of times after work. The beach and water were fairly clean but I was a bit disappointed to see that the grills and swings weren't out and the changing rooms/restrooms weren't opened. Of course, when I have time to use them I'll be heading to South Pond but I thought that with all the focus on the ATV Park that includes swimming at the lake there would be more done there this year. Compared to all of the things planned up there one would think that setting up the beach would be quick and easy. Oh well, its still a good spot for cooling off after work...

[Alberto Teatro]

South Pond is so close and one of the best swimming areas on the planet. Clean and safe for children. Jericho lake park could be equally as beatiful, if the state makes the investments there that they have promised to make (imagine that). We are keeping a residence here essentially to spend time at South Pond in the summers.