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Echo Lake State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,515 Google reviews · Running trail in North Conway, New Hampshire · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Echo Lake State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
118-acre park with a scenic trail circling a lake plus picnicking & swimming options & a bathhouse.
What runners say about Echo Lake State Park
“Water is super clean, was 74° today.”
“Echo Lake is a stunning and family-friendly destination with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close.”
“Plenty of space to spread out, tons of shade and plenty of private spots of you walk just a little beyond the beach area.”
“Peaceful, serene, enjoyed watching climbers on Cathedral Ledge.”
A great quick walk on an easy path around the lake. Indoor facilities available. Takes about an hour if you don't stop to take photos and sightsee. If you yell, the lake WILL echo! For a different view, climb cathedral ledge! For a more challenging hike, take the path from the lake to the ledge.
Am a local to the state of NH about 1.5hr drive from this beautiful place Will recommend Will return I have state park plates so I went to New Hampshire State Parks website and made a reservation for this particular day in Wood State Park plates you pay one dollar which is your processing fee Without state Park…
Beautiful little state park with a small entrance fee. We hiked Bryce trail up to Cathedral ledges. It was an intense uphill in several spots. Would recommend a hiking stick for older knees. Fantastic views. Found out you can drive up also once we got there.
What a gem this place is! Cost $4 to get in, highly recommend making reservations. Parking was full by 11am. Full bath house, snack shack, and picnic tables/stationary grills if you wanted to bring charcoal.
Trail conditions & character
“Echo Lake is a stunning and family-friendly destination with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close.”
“They do have a large parking lot, but it seems to fill very quickly.”
“Peaceful, serene, enjoyed watching climbers on Cathedral Ledge.”
“Plenty of space to spread out, tons of shade and plenty of private spots of you walk just a little beyond the beach area.”
“For a different view, climb cathedral ledge!”
Plan your run at Echo Lake State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenhstateparks.org
- Phone+1 603-356-2672
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am–6 pm |
Running trails near North Conway
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cathedral Ledge Trail
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