Mount Sunapee State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Sunapee State Park |
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The beach on Lake Sunapee
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 Mount Sunapee State Park
Location in New Hampshire
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| Location | Newbury, New Hampshire, United States |
| Area | 2,893 acres (1,171 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,923 feet (586 m) |
| Designation | New Hampshire state park |
| Established | 1948 |
| Administrator | New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Mount Sunapee State Park |
Mount Sunapee State Park is a fun outdoor place in Newbury, New Hampshire. It's a state park that covers almost 3,000 acres (about 1,200 hectares). This huge area includes most of Mount Sunapee mountain. It also has a lovely beach on Lake Sunapee.
You can do many cool things at the park! People enjoy swimming, hiking, and camping here. In winter, skiing is very popular. You can also go fishing, have picnics, and use non-motorized boats. The park's ski area is called Mount Sunapee Resort. It is managed by Vail Resorts Inc.
The park's beach is also known as Newbury Beach. It has a building with changing rooms and a small store. You can rent canoes and kayaks there. There's also a playground for kids. A special area lets you launch small boats. The park has a campground that opens in certain seasons. You can find it off NH Route 103. The road to the campground winds up the mountain through Mount Sunapee Resort.
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Exploring the Park's Trails
Mount Sunapee State Park has many trails. You can use them all year round. They are great for hiking in warmer months. In winter, they are perfect for snowshoeing.
Summit Trail Adventure
You can start your hike from the ski area parking lot. The Summit Trail goes about 2 miles (3.2 km) up the western side of the mountain. It leads to the very top, called the summit.
Discovering Lake Solitude
At the summit, the Summit Trail connects with the Solitude Trail. This trail is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It takes you to a peaceful spot called Lake Solitude. You will also see some cool rock formations called White Ledges.
Connecting to Other Trails
From the Solitude Trail, you can find other paths. The Andrew Brook Trail and the Newbury Trail are popular choices. Both of these trails head east down the mountain. The Solitude Trail also links to the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. This longer trail goes south along Sunapee Mountain towards Pillsbury State Park.
Greenways: Long Trails for Exploration
Greenways are like long, green corridors. They connect different parks and natural areas. They are great for hiking and enjoying nature.
Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway
One of these greenways is the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. It is about 50 miles (80 km) long. This trail connects Mount Sunapee State Park to Pillsbury State Park. It also links to other beautiful areas in southern New Hampshire.
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway
Another amazing trail is the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway. This trail is a big loop, about 75 miles (121 km) long. People sometimes call it the "emerald necklace." It connects Mount Sunapee State Park to several other parks. These include Wadleigh State Park, Winslow State Park, and Rollins State Park. It also links to state forests and wildlife areas.
