Edward MacDowell Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PETERBOROUGH, NH, NH
Price: From $60 per night
Price range: $60–$100 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Edward MacDowell Lake is situated in a quiet corner of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. This day-use area lies just off State Route 101 on the shores of the picturesque lake named after the famous composer and concert pianist, Edward Alexander MacDowell.This year-round park offers two day-use picnic shelters, perfect for large parties or family functions. Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and grills are provided.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/edward-macdowell-lake-day-use-facilities to be notified when sites open up.
Edward MacDowell Lake offers scenic kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on a picturesque lake in the quiet Monadnock Region, with full tree coverage and wooded trails that reviewers describe as magical.
Wildlife alert: North American River Otter, American Black Bear, Bobcat, American Beaver, Cooper's Hawk, and ring-necked snake present in the area.
Insider tips for Edward Macdowell Lake Day Use Facilities: Drive down to the parking spot for proper lake views and trail access. Swimming is available but the area is swampy — check yourself for parasites after swimming. The wooded trail near the dam offers scenic hiking with a possible loop option.
Skip Edward Macdowell Lake Day Use Facilities if: You need hookups — this facility has none.. You prefer more than 2 tent sites — only 2 sites available.. You dislike booking early — federal campground requires advance reservations..
Best time to visit Edward Macdowell Lake Day Use Facilities: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted — verify availability before planning..
Nearby campgrounds: Otter Brook Lake Recreation Area (Keene, NH), Surry Mountain Lake Beach (Keene, NH), Tully Lake Recreation Area (Ma) (Royalston, MA), Elm Brook Park Rec Area (CONTOOCOOK, NH).
Cell signal at Edward Macdowell Lake Day Use Facilities (PETERBOROUGH, NH): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.



Edward MacDowell Lake is situated in a quiet corner of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. This day-use area lies just off State Route 101 on the shores of the picturesque lake named after the famous composer and concert pianist, Edward Alexander MacDowell.This year-round park offers two day-use picnic shelters, perfect for large parties or family functions. Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and grills are provided.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Drive down to the parking spot for proper lake views and trail access.
Swimming is available but the area is swampy
check yourself for parasites after swimming.
The wooded trail near the dam offers scenic hiking with a possible loop option.
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted — verify availability before planning.
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.









From Route 101 in Peterborough, take a right onto Union Street for 1/2-mile, then take a left onto Wilder Street and travel all the way to the end of the street.
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