New Hampshire Lakes Region Community Hub
By Lake Mountain Property Group. Explore pristine 6,791-acre Squam Lake across Holderness, Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough, featuring luxury waterfront estates and peaceful mountain vistas.
Squam Lake Overview
Squam Lake is a 6,791-acre glacial lake in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, ranking as the second-largest lake located entirely within the state. Spanning the towns of Holderness, Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough, Squam is world-famous as the real-life filming location for the 1981 Oscar-winning film On Golden Pond. The lake is connected to Little Squam Lake by a navigable channel in Holderness as of 2026.
Searching for Squam Lake Real Estate?
Whether you desire a private squam shoreline estate, a secluded island camp, or a home near Holderness village, our team delivers unmatched Lakes Region market expertise.
Squam Lake represents one of New England's most tranquil and meticulously preserved natural environments. Known for its crystal-clear water, low-density shoreline development, and surrounding mountain peaks, Squam offers an understated luxury lifestyle that contrasts with busier regional water bodies.
Spanning four distinct municipal boundaries—Holderness, Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough—the lake provides diverse real estate options ranging from historic timber-frame camps and island retreats to modern luxury waterfront estates.
Comparative side-by-side analysis of the four towns bordering Squam Lake, detailing shoreline profiles, housing options, school systems, and price baselines.
Town / Submarket | Shoreline & Water Access Profile | Primary Housing Styles | School System & Anchors | Price Spectrum Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Holderness | Primary village center, public docks, Little Squam channel connection | Waterfront estates, village colonials, historic lake cottages | Holderness Central School (K-8, rated 5/5) & Holderness School | $750,000 - $4,500,000+ |
Sandwich | Northern Squam shorelines, quiet mountain-backdrop coves | Historic farmsteads, luxury waterfront acreage, timber builds | Inter-Lakes School District & Sandwich Central School | $680,000 - $3,800,000+ |
Center Harbor | Exclusive northwest Squam shoreline & conservation buffers | Private luxury estates, secluded acreage, island retreats | Inter-Lakes School District (Meredith/Center Harbor) | $850,000 - $4,200,000+ |
Moultonborough | Eastern Squam shorelines, low tax rate advantage, quiet bays | Waterfront estates, timber log homes, private island camps | Moultonborough Academy (SAU 45) & Low Tax Base | $700,000 - $3,900,000+ |
Little Squam Channel | Navigable connection between Big and Little Squam Lakes | Waterfront homes with direct channel dockage & river views | SAU 48 / Holderness & Ashland School Systems | $550,000 - $1,850,000 |
The primary village hub on Squam Lake, featuring public boat launches, waterfront dining, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and Holderness Central School (19 School Rd, Holderness, NH, rated 5/5). Connected to Little Squam Lake via a scenic navigable channel.
Anchors the northern shoreline with pristine water views against the Sandwich Mountain Range. Known for Center Sandwich's historic artisan guild, annual Sandwich Fair, and extensive Squam Lakes Association conservation land.
Provides quiet, high-privacy shoreline parcels along Squam's western arms, offering immediate access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and quick highway drives down to Meredith amenities.
Combines tranquil Squam Lake coves with Moultonborough's exceptionally low municipal property tax rate. Features private island properties, protected loon nesting areas, and proximity to Castle in the Clouds.
Squam Lake's national reputation as "Golden Pond" stems from the 1981 film starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda. Filmed on location primarily in Holderness, the lake's iconic loon calls, wooden launch boats, and screened porches continue to define the community atmosphere.
Conservation stewardship is led by the Squam Lakes Association (SLA) and the Squam Lakes Conservation Society, which protect thousands of shoreline acres and enforce strict water quality standards, preserving Squam's serene environment for generations.
Buyers exploring Squam can also browse listings in neighboring Holderness, Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough, or compare it to its smaller neighbor, Little Squam Lake.
Ready to explore Squam Lake waterfront properties? Connect with Lake Mountain Property Group today for expert local guidance.
Lake Mountain Property Group is a premier real estate advisory team specializing in Squam Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam, and New Hampshire's Lakes Region.
Advisory Standard: Our team provides clients with detailed analysis on NHDES shoreland rules, SLA conservation easements, dock permitting, and Grafton / Carroll County registry filings.
Squam Lake covers 6,791 acres, making it the second-largest lake located entirely within New Hampshire, behind only Lake Winnipesaukee.
Squam Lake spans four towns: Holderness, the largest town center on the lake, along with Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough.
Yes. The 1981 film On Golden Pond, starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda, was filmed primarily on Squam Lake in the town of Holderness, and several tour operators still run filming-location boat tours of the lake.
Holderness residents attend Holderness Central School (K-8, rated 5/5) located at 19 School Rd in Holderness, NH 03245, before continuing to Plymouth Regional High School.
Let the waterfront real estate specialists at Lake Mountain Property Group guide your search for the ideal home, camp, or acreage property on Squam Lake, NH. Contact us today!
1,927 people live in Squam Lake, where the median age is 43.5 and the average individual income is $55,918. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Squam Lake, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Snack Shack, Squam Lake MarketPlace, and Walter's Basin.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.56 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 1.33 miles | 60 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 1.34 miles | 185 reviews | 4.2/5 stars | |
| Dining · $ | 1.38 miles | 16 reviews | 3.4/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.43 miles | 23 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.44 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.65 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.76 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.77 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.61 miles | 12 reviews | 4.4/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.56 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.56 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.07 miles | 3 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.1 miles | 40 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.29 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.15 miles | 3 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.26 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
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Squam Lake has 844 households, with an average household size of 2.14. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Squam Lake do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,927 people call Squam Lake home. The population density is 63 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
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Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Blue vs White Collar Workers
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White Collar: