What is the strongest family swim day near Concord?

Pawtuckaway State Park Swim Beach and Bear Brook State Park Beach are the two most structured lake options in this cluster—open each guide for fee season and lot size before you promise a time to the car.

Can you swim in the Merrimack River in Concord?

Mapped listings include Sewalls Falls and Merrimack River Eddy. River swimming is current- and footing-dependent—scout on arrival and skip high-water days.

Where should I add a waterfall without derailing the swim day?

Contoocook Falls is the classic Merrimack Valley waterfall page in this set; Wildcat Falls works better as a southern add-on when you are already closer to the Nashua side.

Swimming Holes & Waterfalls Near Concord & the Merrimack Valley, NH (2026)

Concord river swims, Pawtuckaway and Bear Brook lake beaches, Clough Reservoir, and Merrimack Valley falls—one map with links to each New Hampshire guide.

Calm New Hampshire lake with summer swimmers near tree-lined shore. — Concord and Merrimack Valley—Pawtuckaway, Bear Brook, Clough, Merrimack access, and valley waterfall add-ons on one map.Editorial scene photo; this image is illustrative rather than a specific map pin.

Map of the picks

Lower Ammonoosuc Falls pool and rocks in New Hampshire.

Calm New Hampshire lake water on a warm summer afternoon.

Glen Ellis Falls cascade in New Hampshire forest light.

Concord is a river-and-lake hub: broad Merrimack access on hot weekdays, state-park beaches when you want sand and clearer rules, and a few waterfall pages for shorter scenic stops.

Pawtuckaway State Park Swim Beach — Nottingham, NH
Bear Brook State Park Beach — Allenstown, NH
Clough State Park Swim Beach — Weare, NH
Sewalls Falls Swim Area — Concord, NH
Merrimack River Eddy — Concord, NH
Contoocook Falls — Contoocook, NH
Wildcat Falls — Merrimack, NH

This page links to on-site guides with parking and access detail. It is not legal or safety advice.

Quick answer

Goal	First stop
Big lake beach day	Pawtuckaway
Concord river wade	Sewalls Falls
Waterfall + village errand	Contoocook Falls

Day-build idea

Lake morning at Pawtuckaway or Bear Brook, river check at Sewalls after lunch when you can read current in full sun, short falls stop only if legs and patience still match the group.

Updated April 23, 2026

Keep planning

Choose what to explore next

Follow the reading order, compare nearby options, or jump to a guide that matches the kind of day you want.

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