Be a Lake Sunapee Watershed Explorer!

Get out, explore and earn a patch!

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Autumn is a perfect time to get to know the Lake Sunapee Watershed! LSPA invites you and your family to explore the Lake Sunapee Watershed.  Enjoy the lake and the forests of the watershed while you learn a bit about the science and history of Lake Sunapee. Pick 5 of the following activities and when you have completed them fill out the simple documentation form below.  You will have good memories, new knowledge and a patch to remember the experience by!

  1. Do the Sunapee Harbor Valley Quest Find all the information you need at: https://vitalcommunities.org/valleyquest/quest/sunapee-harbor/

  2. Take a Dip (or dip your toe!) in the Lake at Sunapee State Beach or Newbury docks or Go Snorkeling to get a better look at what is under the water. Equipment rentals are available at LaPorte's Dive Shop, Newbury  (603)763-5353. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/mt-sunapee-state-park)

  3. Walk Along the Lakeshore at the John Hay Estate at The Fells on the John Hay Ecology Trail. There is so much to explore at this beautiful protected area of the Sunapee Watershed.  More information can be found at: https://thefells.org/ (admission to The Fells is free if your family is participating in the Lake Sunapee Watershed Explorer program)

  4. Learn About Watersheds on the LSPA’s web site: https://www.lakesunapee.org/watershed-summary-1

  5. See the Watershed From Up High by taking the Forest Society trail up Sunset Hill on the Hay Reservation. Trail information can be found at https://forestsociety.org/property/hay-reservation

  6. Learn a bit about Sunapee History at the Sunapee Historical Society, located at 74 Main Street in Sunapee Harbor.  More Sunapee history & museum hours can be found at https://www.sunapeehistoricalsociety.org/

  7. Hike up Mt Sunapee and view the watershed from Skyway Ledges. Trail maps for the park can be found at https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/mt-sunapee-state-park

  8. Check out LSPA’s website and find information and activities for kids on the Kid’s Ecology Corner page.

  9. Take a walk along the “sweet” Sugar River in Sunapee Harbor and enjoy the beautiful paths and the wonderful covered bridge

  10. Visit Newbury Harbor and Learn about Sunapee’s Steamboat Era and the trains that brought visitors to  the area at Newbury Harbor’s historic caboose

  11. Learn about LSPA’s Water Quality Buoy at https://www.lakesunapee.org/buoy, or Take a Boat Ride to see it by Loon Island Lighthouse

  12. Take a Picnic and Hike to Clark Lookout for a spectacular view of Lake Sunapee and Mt Sunapee. All the information you need can be found at http://www.nl-nhcc.com/trails/clark_lookout_2.htm  

* Printable version of Lake Sunapee’s Watershed Explorer patch program.

Lake Sunapee Watershed Explorer Documentation Form

If you have any pictures of your adventures to share please send them to LSPA Education Director, Kathleen Stowell at kstowell1@lakesunapee.org.

We hope you have a great time exploring the Lake Sunapee Watershed!