Squam vs Winnipesaukee: Choosing Your Lake

Written by Cori Tessier & Kara Chase

Weighing more than these two? Start with our guide, How to Choose the Right Lake for Your Lifestyle, which covers Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, Squam, Newfound and Ossipee. This post goes deeper on the Winnipesaukee-or-Squam decision.

Two of New Hampshire's most loved lakes, and two very different summers. Here's how they compare head to head.

Lake Winnipesaukee is big, busy and full of options: marinas, downtowns, islands and every kind of boating. Squam Lake is smaller, quieter and more protected, with a slower pace and less development along the shore. This guide is from The Legacy Group at Real Broker, owned by Cori Tessier (Managing Broker, Gilford resident) and Kara Chase, who grew up on Winnipesaukee as the 4th generation of a Lakes Region resort family. The team works Squam and Newfound as well as Winnipesaukee.

The short version

Source: PrimeMLS, single-family waterfront closed sales, Oct 2025-Oct 2026, all towns on each lake. Squam had only 13 sales, so treat its median as directional.

You'll Love Winnipesaukee If…

• You love boating. Winnipesaukee is made for cruising: island-hopping, boating to dinner in Meredith or Wolfeboro, and big-water days.
• You want choices. More towns, more price points and more home styles, from cottages to homes like 190 Mount Major Hwy in Alton, which closed at $10.5M in October 2025 (Cori listed it and Kara represented the buyer).
• You want things to do. Downtowns, marinas, events, and Gunstock nearby for winter.
• Family and guests will visit. There's more room for a crowd and more to do when they come.

Trade-offs: summer boat traffic and wake, especially in the main bays and on weekends.

You'll Love Squam If…

• You value quiet. Squam is known for loons, calm mornings and a wooded shoreline. The 1981 film On Golden Pond was filmed there (Concord Monitor).
• You paddle, swim and fish more than you cruise.
• You want a slower, more private summer place.
• Conservation matters to you. Much of Squam's shoreline and watershed is protected, and local groups such as the Squam Lakes Association and the Squam Lakes Conservation Society work to keep it that way.

Trade-offs: very few homes come up for sale, buyers compete for them, and there are fewer services right on the water.

Boating, head to head

What that means day to day: Winnipesaukee suits bigger boats, cruising to dinner and covering distance. Squam's rules keep the lake quieter, which suits paddlers, swimmers, fishermen and smaller boats. If you own a large boat or jet skis, make sure your plans fit the lake before you fall for a house.

Limited inventory: what the numbers say

In the last 12 months, 118 single-family waterfront homes closed on Winnipesaukee, at a median price of $2,212,500. On Squam, only 13 closed, at a median of $3,200,000 (PrimeMLS, single-family waterfront closed sales, Oct 2025-Oct 2026). That small Squam sample makes its median directional, but the takeaway is clear: Squam homes come up rarely and tend to sell at a premium. As of October 16, 2026, Winnipesaukee had 49 active waterfront listings, with a median asking price of $2,695,000 (PrimeMLS).

For Squam buyers, that means: - Get pre-approved, or have proof of funds ready, before you start touring. - Set up listing alerts and be ready to see a home within days. - Decide in advance what you'll compromise on (frontage, exposure, house size). - Consider homes that need work. With so few sales, the right shoreline matters more than the right kitchen.

Buying considerations on both lakes

• NH waterfront rules apply to both. Since September 1, 2024, buyers of developed waterfront with a septic system within 250 feet of the water must get a licensed septic evaluation before closing (RSA 485-A:39), and the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (RSA 483-B) limits work within 250 feet of the water (NHDES).
• Town rules differ. Squam spans several towns, and each has its own zoning, short-term rental rules and tax rate. 2025 total property tax rates per $1,000 of assessed value (not equalized): Holderness $9.42, Center Harbor $11.84, Moultonborough $5.33 (source: NH DRA 2025 Municipal Tax Rates); Sandwich $9.25 (source: Town of Sandwich website, 2025 tax year).
• Docks and access. Check water depth, dock permits and whether the property has deeded frontage or shared access.
• Permits on both lakes. Shoreland permits apply on both. On Squam, also ask about conservation easements on nearby land, which protect views but can limit what neighbors and you can build.
• Island and boat-access homes. Both lakes have them. Plan for parking, boat storage and winter access.

Try both before you buy

Rent a week on each lake, or at least spend a summer Saturday on both. Take a boat out on Winnipesaukee's Broads and paddle a Squam cove at sunrise. Most people know within a day which one feels like theirs.

Center Harbor and Moultonborough touch both lakes, which makes them good bases if you can't decide yet. Kara sold 75 Windermere Rd in Moultonborough for $5.3M in 2022.

How we help

Kara grew up on Winnipesaukee and knows how the lake changes from bay to bay. Cori's 20+ years in hospitality show in how we plan a search: we start with how you want your summers to feel, then match you to the lake, the town and the shoreline. We set up alerts so you see new listings right away.

Final Thoughts

Winnipesaukee and Squam both offer a lifetime of summers. Winnipesaukee gives you room to roam, and Squam gives you room to breathe. Try both, think about how you really spend a day on the water, and be ready for Squam's limited inventory if it's the one. We'd love to help you find your lake.

Cori and Kara's top sales include 190 Mount Major Hwy in Alton ($10.5M), 138 Veasey Shore Rd in Meredith ($6.53M), 75 Windermere Rd in Moultonborough ($5.3M) and 175 Akwa Vista in Laconia ($5.1M). Cori and Kara's top 10 sales since 2016 range from $3.2M to $10.5M (PrimeMLS agent reports).

FAQ

Is Squam or Winnipesaukee better for a lake house?

Winnipesaukee is better for boating, choice and activity. Squam is better for quiet, nature and privacy. The Legacy Group, co-owned by Cori Tessier and Kara Chase, helps buyers compare both lakes.

Is it harder to buy on Squam?

Usually, because few homes come up for sale. Be pre-approved and set up listing alerts.

Which towns border both lakes?

Center Harbor and Moultonborough sit between Winnipesaukee and Squam.

Can I run a large powerboat on Squam?

You can, but Squam's lower speed limits (40 mph by day, 20 mph at night), its no-wake coves and its ban on jet skis and houseboats make it better suited to smaller boats. See "Boating, head to head" above for the details and sources.

Not sure which lake is yours? Call or text Cori at (603) 315-9277 or Kara at (603) 573-1073, or stop by our office at 520 Main St in Laconia. You can also reach us at nhlegacygroup.com.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is general and believed accurate as of October 16, 2026, based on public sources such as NH DRA, NHDES and PrimeMLS. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and numbers change, so please verify details with the town, a New Hampshire attorney or another qualified professional before making decisions.