Where To Go Swimming

There are many places to go swimming in and around Lebanon. Please review the following list which should not be considered a complete list. Please be aware that some of these links will take you off of the City of Lebanon website.

Lebanon Veterans Memorial Pool

The Lebanon pool has lifeguards on staff and includes a splash pool with spray features, great for all ages. 

Cost: Daily rates for ages 5 and under is free, youth residents ages 6-17 are $1 and non-residents are $4. Adults 18 and older are $2 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Seniors age 60 and older are $1 for residents and $4 for non-residents. Military personnel is free. Season passes are available, as well as 5-day punch cards. 

Address: 67 Pumping Station Road, Lebanon (Approximately 3 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Trues Brook Natural Area

The True's Brook gorge drops some 50 feet in elevation along 700 linear feet of shoreline, including three dramatic overlooks, and a long-popular local swimming hole. The property contains a nondescript trail that descends through the woods to the dramatic True's Brook. Visitors should exercise caution near the edge.

Cost: Free

Address: Parking is along the south side of True’s Brook Road, West Lebanon, before the first bridge, about 0.8 mi. east of 12A. Please do not park on private property. (Approximately 15 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Storrs Pond

The Area features scenic woodlands, a man-made 13-acre pond, two sandy swimming beaches, a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and covered pavilion areas. Watercraft rentals are available to include paddleboards, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks. 

Cost: Daily rates for ages 2 and under is free, ages 3-17 is $7 for all access or $5 for limited access (excludes pool), ages 18-64 is $10 for all access or $5 for limited access (excludes pool), ages 65 and older is $5 for both all and limited access, military and veterans is $5 for both all and limited access. Family memberships are available. 

Address: 59 Oak Hill Drive, Hanover, NH (approximately 20 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Shakoma Beach

Shakoma Town Public Beach on Mascoma Lake. The beach offers a swim area and may have lifeguards. Handicap Port-a-potty, picnic tables, and trash receptacles are available at the beach.

Cost: A parking permit is required for non-residents of Enfield: $25 for the season, $10 for 15 consecutive days, or $1 a day. Please contact the Enfield Town Office for more information at 603-632-5026.

Address: Mascoma Lake, Enfield, NH, by the main bridge that joins Routes 4A and 4. The parking lot and boat launch are across the street on the hill opposite Main Street. (Approximately 25 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Quechee Gorge

Once down in the 165-feet deep gorge — about a half-mile trek downhill along a well-trodden path — a swimming area of the Ottauquechee River opens up with depths of varying degrees. The water is often deep and fast-moving so use caution.

Cost: Free

Address: 5966 Woodstock Road, Quechee, VT (approximately 20 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Mt. Sunapee State Park

Lake Sunapee has a large expanse of beach, picnic tables and grills, a snack shack, playground, boat launch, and more. Visitors can make a reservation before arriving at the park as parking is limited (especially on nice weekends and holidays). Walk-in spaces are available for visitors on a first come/first-serve basis. Reservations can be made up to 30 days prior to arrival.

Cost: Adults $5; children ages 6-11 $2; children under five FREE; NH residents 65+ with a valid NH License FREE; car with boat trailer $10

Location: 86 Beach Access Road, Newbury, NH (approximately 35 minutes from Colburn Park in downtown Lebanon)

Cyanobacteria Information

The City of Lebanon encourages you to report any signs of discoloration or weird-looking growth in any swimming area. Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can look like scum, mats, spilled paint, or paint chips. The color of the water can turn blue, green, white, yellow, or brownish. Cyanobacteria are a potential public health danger because they may produce toxins, collectively referred to as “cyanotoxins”. Cyanotoxins can cause both acute and chronic illnesses, as these toxins target the liver, kidney, and central nervous system, and can irritate the skin. Acute effects, such as skin and mucous membrane irritations, can occur after short-term exposure to water-containing cyanotoxins. Chronic effects, such as liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage, can occur over a long period of time from ingesting water containing toxins.

If something seems off or suspicious, it is best to play it safe and stay out of the water. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Harmful Algal Blooms has launched a bloom report form to make reporting cyanobacterial bloom easier. By filling out the form and providing information on the location, date, and other pertinent information, NHDES will be able to respond faster and check cyanobacteria counts. 

NHDES also provides a Healthy Swimming Mapper with current advisories and alerts for swimming places in New Hampshire. You can find more details about each warning, check out pictures of the bloom, and even see alerts directly on the map issued by the NHDES Beach Inspection Program and Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Bloom Program. If you would like to stay in the loop with all the latest updates on cyanobacteria across the State of New Hampshire, sign up for the NHDES weekly statewide cyanobacteria update.