Conway Lake, New Hampshire, USA

Conway Lake is a hidden treasure nestled in the towns of Conway and Eaton, east of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Careful conservation efforts and building policies ensure that the lake will maintain its quiet, private nature far into the future. Its location in the shadow of the White Mountains guarantees that visitors and homeowners will have access to almost every outdoor recreation opportunity imaginable. Stretching…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Conway Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Conway Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Conway Lake, NH

Conway Lake is a hidden treasure nestled in the towns of Conway and Eaton, east of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Careful conservation efforts and building policies ensure that the lake will maintain its quiet, private nature far into the future. Its location in the shadow of the White Mountains guarantees that visitors and homeowners will have access to almost every outdoor recreation opportunity imaginable.

Stretching four miles long and just under a mile and a half wide, Conway Lake covers 1,316 acres in Carroll County. Snowy Brook is the lake’s primary inflow; Mill Brook, a tributary of the Saco River, is the lake’s outflow. It is a natural lake that was enlarged by a dam in the early 1800’s. The 200 foot long, 17 foot high earth embankment dam is at the north end of Conway Lake.

The history of Conway was shaped by water. By 1817, records state that there were ten mills of various kinds around Conway Lake, and the coming of the railroad in 1865 brought increased prosperity. Lumbermen used Conway Lake to float logs to the sawmills where they were processed before being sent on freight cars to Portsmouth and other destinations. Today Conway and the nearby town of Eaton have shops, restaurants, outdoor outfitters and any amenity a visitor might need. There is real estate available for sale in both towns with vacation rentals and residential development on the shores of the lake. Conway Lake, however, is a closely guarded secret and lakeside development is carefully managed, so real estate is at a premium.

A public boat launch provides access for boating, sailing, and waterskiing. Conway Lake is full of fish, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game manages the lake for landlocked salmon. Conway Lake is classified as oligo-mesotrophic with very clean water. Both public and private beaches provide access to the lake for swimming.

It is a short drive from Conway Lake to the White Mountain National Forest. Straddling parts of Maine and New Hampshire, the forest was established on May 16, 1918. It includes Mt. Washington, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and north of the Smoky Mountains. Trails for mountain biking and hiking cross the forest, and hunting and fishing are allowed in season. Several campgrounds in the forest offer a variety of overnight accommodations. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway is a 34-mile long drive crossing through the center of the forest, providing picturesque sites including an occasional moose. For the more adventurous, Tuckerman Ravine offers a chance for backcountry skiing. Downhill skiing, cross country skiing and a variety of winter sports are available in the White Mountain National Forest.

To the west of Conway Lake, Echo Lake State Park is a fantastic day trip. The 118-acre park provides plenty of opportunity for hiking, biking, and fishing. It is best known, however, for its rock climbing. Cathedral Ledge rises 700 feet above Echo Lake and draws climbers from around the world to rock climb and ice climb New Hampshire’s granite.

Surrounded with all the White Mountains have to offer, Conway Lake is sure to call visitors far into the future. Careful conservation practices and limited building will ensure it remains a treasure for future generations to enjoy.

Things to Do at Conway Lake

These are some activities in the Conway Lake, NH area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Water Skiing
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Hiking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Ice Climbing
  • Biking
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Hunting
  • State Park
  • National Forest

What Kind of Fish Are in Conway Lake?

Conway Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Salmon
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Trout
divider

Find Places to Stay at Conway Lake

If you’re considering a Conway Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Conway Lake Vacation

Our interactive Conway Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Conway Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

Water Level Control: Town of Conway

Surface Area: 1,316 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 437 feet

Average Depth: 15 feet

Maximum Depth: 45 feet

Trophic State: Oligo-mesotrophic

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Conway Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Conway Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Conway Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Conway Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Conway Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: