LAKE RESOURCES
Visiting Lake Opechee? From swimming to spas and everything in between, here’s how to get the most out of your visit to the lake and its quaint neighboring town of Laconia.
Public areas and things to do
BOATING
Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but less traffic means it’s also perfect for non-motorized kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The lake has several areas to launch your vessels.
BEACHES
Whether you’re looking for a splash of activity or a tranquil spit of sand, Laconia has something for everyone.
Opechee Park Point Beach
This free, medium-sized beach on the south end of Lake Opechee has a roped-off swimming area, a rock pile that visitors love to climb, a lifeguard on duty, and a nearby playground.
Weirs Beach
Located in nearby Meredith Bay, Weirs Beach is one of the most popular summertime destinations for beachgoers in the area.
SIGHTSEEING
The Laconia area offers some unique opportunities to get out and explore the area, from rail bikes to historic locations.
The WOW Trail
This wide, flat, easy-to-traverse multi-use rail trail connects the area’s three lakes — Winnipesaukee, Opechee and Winnisquam — with lots to see along the way. Bike, hike, blade, run or amble at your own pace.
Hobo and Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
Board an old-style passenger train or take a seat on a four-person rail bike for a one-of-a-kind adventure. It’s the perfect way to see the fall foliage.
15 Veterans Square, Laconia
Belknap Mill
Soak in some New Hampshire history at the oldest, largely unaltered brick textile mill in the United States.
25 Beacon Street East, Laconia
MAJOR EVENTS
Visitors flock to Lake Opechee and Laconia for fun events all year long, including a championship sled dog race, bike week and 4th of July celebration.
Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby
Watch dogs and their mushers race for the finish line each February as you cheer on your favorite teams. It’s one of the most exciting ways to enjoy the New Hampshire winter.
Laconia Motorcycle Week
Bring your bike for a week each June. The oldest national motorcycle rally in the county, it’s been a tradition since 1916.
New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival
Downtown Laconia turns orange each fall as the streets are lined with pumpkin creations, from carvings to desserts to pumpkin bowling. There’s even a zombie walk.
THE LAKE OPECHEE STORY
A quiet lake where there’s always something to do
Sometimes referred to as Opechee Bay, this pint-sized lake is surrounded by not only natural, untouched beauty, but also a town that’s been dedicated to the good life for both its residents and visitors. Built up by lumber and grist mills in the mid-1700s, as well as the railways that crisscrossed the region, the town of Laconia continued to grow, yet remain a quintessential New England lakeside village.
Opechee is nestled between two larger, more popular lakes — Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam — and serves as a destination for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle. You’ll find beaches, boat launches, a year-round events calendar and water that’s stocked with various species of trout, land-locked salmon, lake whitefish, chain pickerel, horned pout and more.